Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel prays for rain to Lord Jagannath

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel prayed to Lord Jagannath for plentiful rains today, while seeking his blessings ahead of the Rath Yatra (chariot procession) to be held tomorrow.

Patel arrived at the Jagannath temple today evening and performed 'aarti' at the temple as per tradition. She also offered 'prasad' to Lord Jagannath and sought his blessings.

When reporters asked what blessings she had sought from Lord Jagannath, she replied that she had prayed for plentiful rains, since farmers are worried due to the dry spell.

"I asked Lord Jagannath to bless us with plentiful rains, because farmers are worried due to delayed rains," she said.

Patel also greeted Muslims on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, which falls tomorrow.

"Tomorrow is an auspicious day, since Eid also falls tomorrow. I wish Eid Mubarak to all Muslims. Similarly, tomorrow is New Year's day for Kutchi people, which makes the day special. I wish Lord Jagannath's blessings for everyone," Patel said.

Traditionally, 18 elephants, 100 trucks and 30 sects participate in the 'Rath Yatra' which covers a distance of 14 km during the day. The chariots of Lord Jagganath, his brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra will be pulled by the Khalashi community as per the age old tradition.

Patel will perform the symbolic ritual of sweeping the road when the chariots roll out of the temple (pahind), Jagannath temple trustee Mahendra Jha said.

He said that BJP president Amit Shah will be present during the 'Mangala Aarti' ritual at dawn.

"We will perform Mangala Aarti at 4 am early morning tomorrow. BJP president Amit Shah will be chief guest on the occasion. Later at 7 am, Chief Minister Anandiben Patel will perform the 'pahind' ritual, after which, the procession will leave the temple," Jha said.