Ahmedabad: The 127th Rathyatra of Lord Jaganath began this morning from the famous Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur area here, with the devotees chanting "Jai Ranchod, Makhanchor" and singing bhajans even as tight security was being maintained in the city.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi performed the traditional 'pahind' ritual and set the three chariots, carrying idols of Lord Krishna, Subhadra and Balram in motion as the beats of drums and clamps of cymbals reverberated the air.

Former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel was first among the dignitaries to offer prayers to Lord Jagannath while Minister of State for Home Amit Shah and Law Minister Ashok Bhatt were also present on the occasion.

The rath would follow its traditional route through Raipur, Saraspur, Kalupur, Khadia, Panchkuva, Manekchowk and other areas before returning to the temple at about 8 pm.

Sixteen decorated elephants, 98 tableaux on truck, 30 'akhadas' and 18 'bhajan mandalis' accompanied the chariots, while nearly 1200 'khalasis' would pull the chariot during its 14 kms long route before reaching the temple.

Sixty-four companies of various paramilitary forces, including CRPF, SRPF, CISF and armed battalion from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, comprising 15,000 personnel have been be deployed on the route of the yatra. Four Rapid Action teams would maintain vigil at sensitive areas.

Security has been beefed up in the wake of gunning down of four alleged LeT (Lashker-e-Toiba) terrorists, who had planned to assassinate Modi.