Ahmedabad is all set to witness its first-ever Nagar Yatra of Goddess Bhadrakali, the city’s reversed ‘nagardevi’. The grand chariot procession, marking the 614th anniversary of the city’s foundation, will take place on Wednesday, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri. The Rath Yatra will pass through the historical and religious landmarks associated with the goddess, providing devotees with a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual experience.
For the first time in history, the idol of the goddess Bhadrakali will not be present on the chariot, but her sacred footprints will also be carried along, symbolising her divine presence throughout the procession.
According to a media report, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is expected to inaugurate the Nagar Yatra, which the temple is organising for the very first time.
Shashikant Tiwari, a trustee of the Bhadrakali Temple, expressed excitement about the event, stating that such a grand procession had never been held before. The Rath Yatra is receiving support from several key authorities, including the Gujarat Police, the Municipal Corporation and the Pilgrimage Development Board, ensuring the event will run smoothly and safely.
The procession will begin its journey from Teen Darwaza at 8 AM, followed by the ritual decoration and morning arti. It will pass through several iconic locations including Baba Maneknath’s shrine, Manek Chowk, Danapith, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) office, Khamasa and Pagthiya, before reaching the Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur for a brief stop.
The procession will continue its spiritual journey towards the Mahalaxmi Temple and then return to the Bhadrakali Temple, completing the full circle.
Devotees can expect an extraordinary display of culture and devotion as the Rath Yatra features 90 vehicles, three akharas (martial arts groups), three tableau trucks and three devotional music groups. The highlight of the procession will be the offering of Boondhi prasad (sweet offerings) to the devotees.
Historians have long recognised the Bhadrakali Temple as an important spiritual centre since the founding of Ahmedabad by Sultan Ahmed Shah. Records from the temple suggest that King Karnadev built the temple and the procession was once an annual tradition, held for centuries.
However, during the Mughal era, oppressive rulers led to the suspension of such religious events, including the Rath Yatra and many Hindu and Jain temples faced damage, which impacted their religious practices.
For centuries, no efforts were made to revive this sacred tradition. This year’s Nagar Yatra is the revival of an important cultural and spiritual heritage, which the Bhadrakali Temple Trust hopes will become an annual event if supported by the community.
In addition to the procession, a Bhandara (religious feast) will be served to around 5,000 devotees, who will also be offered a special fast-friendly prasad in honour of Maha Shivaratri. The temple plans to provide an array of devotional experiences, including a special Aarti at the Sabarmati Riverfront to honour the sacred river.
As the procession makes its way through the city, it will make stops at landmarks including Gaikwad Haveli, Vasant Chowk, Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, Kotha Hanuman Temple and Bahuchar Mata Temple, before returning to the Bhadrakali Temple. The event will conclude with a Havan (sacred fire ritual) and Bhandara marking the culmination of this historic and spiritual day.
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