At a glance: From Advani's 'Ram Rath Yatra' to 'Jan Chetna Yatra'

New Delhi: The year 1990 constructed a new passage of possibilities for the Bhartiya Janta Party. Lal Krishna Advani, the former BJP president who felt close to the Ram Mandir issue, decided to undertake a ‘padyatra' to enlighten people about the Ayodhya issue.Little had he known that course of his Rath Yatra would change the course of his party and act a catalyzer in the process of uplifting of BJP.Ram Rath YatraWhen BJP leader late Pramod Mahajan learnt about Advani's padyatra, he raised his concern over Advani's slow progress on foot and suggested a mini-bus designed in the shape of a Rath.The Yatra originated from Somnath with destination to Ayodhya via central India and was called the Ram Rath Yatra. The convoy was welcomed by Hindutva followers all over with shouting slogans and beating thalis.But there broke out a darker side it too. Riots took place in four states, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The repercussions of the Yatra also landed Advani in jail while he was in Samastipur by the former chief minister of Bihar Lalu Prasad Yadav. Although a hostile response was received from many parts of the country, BJP managed to bag a considerable votebank in 1991 general elections. Also, the Yatra established Advani's image as the Eternal yatri.Janadesh YatraThe next Yatra, the Janadesh Yatra was undertaken by Advani in three years later in 1993. It started from four different corners of the country with a motive of gaining people confidence against two bills, Constitution 80th Amendment Bill and the Representation of people Bill.Setting off at 14 different states, the yatris gathered at Bhopal. Advani set off his Yatra from Mysore.Swarna Jayanti Rath YatraTo celebrate 50 years of India's glorious independence Advani set off another Yatra, the Swarna Jayanti Rath Yatra in the year 1997. It was also aimed at painting BJP as a party which had sole motive of good governance.Bharat Uday YatraIn 2004, when the 14th Lok Sabha elections were advanced by 5-moths, Advani took up the Bharat Uday Yatra which was categorically aimed at campaigning for the elections.Bharat Suraksha YatraThe Bharat Suraksha Yatra was launched in 2006 in two parts, one led by Advani and the other led by BJP president Rajnath Singh. Aiming at political campaign, Advani took off from Dwarka in Gujarat with Delhi as his destination and Rajnath Singh set off from Puri in Orissa till Delhi.The cause of the Yatra was left wing terrorism, minority politics corruption, protection of democracy and price rise.Jan Chetna YatraAdvani's latest and sixth Rath Yatra, the Jan Chetna Yatra took place in 2011 with an aim to generate opinions against corruption. The Yatra was set off from Sitab Diara in Bihar.Let's have a look at Advani's Rath Yatra's in pictures.