Descending from the Ratna Sinhasana, the bejewelled throne, the three deities were taken out of the temple down the 22 steps known as "Baisi Pahacha" through the Lion's gate in an elaborate royal ritual called "Pahandi" as devotees and sevayats jostled to have a glimpse and touch them.
In a rhythmic style, the deities moved forward step by step to the accompaniment of beating of ghantas and kahalis and blowing of konch shells.
Devotees take part in 138th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath that passes through Jamal Gate in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
The city was drowned in festivities today as it witnessed the 138th Rath yatra of Lord Jagannath, which is coinciding with the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr after 30 years amid heightened vigil by security agencies.
Thousands of devotees converged in the city as the Rath yatra began here with great fanfare.
Kolkata: Odhisi dancers perform during ISKCON Rathayatra in Kolkata on Saturday.
Chariots of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balbhadra and sister Devi Subhadara rolled out of the 400-year-old temple in Jamalpur area of the city, after Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel performed the 'Pahind' ritual (symbolic cleaning of roads before the yatra).
BJP national President Amit Shah attended the 'Mangla Aarti' (first puja of the day) performed in the temple early this morning.
Devotees at Shri Jagannathji Temple before the start of Rath Yatra (chariot procession) in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
The Rath Yatra procession travels on a 14-km route across the city, where lakhs of devotees are seeking blessings.
The procession has 18 elephants, 100 trucks, 30 religious congregations, 18 singing troupes, three chariots and seven cars.
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