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AHMEDABAD, INDIA, June 19, 2004: Tens of thousands of people thronged the roads in this Indian city Saturday to witness the colorful procession marking the journey of three Hindu deities on decorated chariots. This communally sensitive city in Gujarat state breathed easy as the procession concluded without any untoward incident. The annual ritual, the 127th this year, started at 8.45 a.m. amidst tight security from the temple in the city’s Jamalpur suburb and travelled through the old parts of the city. The icons of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra are taken out only once every year in three decorated chariots in their journey through the city. In keeping with tradition, 100 elephants, 98 decorated trucks carrying tableaux depicting glimpses of Indian culture and 30 teams of traditional wrestlers, were part of the procession. Chants of “Jay ranchhod, makhan chor” reverberated in the air as “bhajan mandli’s” followed the chariots. Volunteers distributed the offering of sprouted lentils to devotees along the route.



About 15,000 security personnel were deployed to preempt untoward incidents. The event is usually a major headache for police as the procession passes through several neighborhoods with a history of communal violence.

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