[1] The Chief Minister of Gujarat performs the 'Pahind Vidhi' or the symbolic cleaning of the path for chariot of Jagannath for the rath yatra, after which the procession begins.

The yatra halts at Saraspur, where the locals offer 'Maha Bhoj' to the entire entourage of devotees of Lord Jagannath.

On 18 September 1969, a Muslim crowd gathered in the Jamalpur area to celebrate the local Urs festival at the tomb of a Sufi saint (Bhukhari Saheb's Chilla).

[4] Sevadasji, the mahant (priest) of the Hindu temple, went on a protest fast, which he gave up after a 15-member Muslim delegation led by A.M. Peerzada met him and apologized.

Following this, the rumors spread and the violence escalated, resulting in several incidents of arson, murders and attacks on the places of worship around the area.