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Odisha: Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra to be held sans devotees, fully vaccinated servitors allowed

According to Odisha's Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep K Jena, in this year's Rath Yatra, there would be no participation of devotees and only servitors would be allowed.

Odisha Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra to be held sans devotees, fully vaccinated servitors allowed-dnm
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Bhubaneswar, First Published Jun 10, 2021, 3:58 PM IST

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government announced on Thursday that the annual Rath Yatra dedicated to Lord Jagannath will be held this year in Odisha’s Puri while following the Covid-19 guidelines of the Supreme Court issued last year.

According to Odisha's Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep K Jena, in this year's Rath Yatra, there would be no participation of devotees and only servitors would be allowed.

The Supreme Court guidelines issued last year, to conduct the Rath Yatra will be followed this year as well, Jena added.

"This year also, Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra will be held sans devotees in Puri. The administration has prohibited similar celebrations in other parts of the state," Jena said.

Only selected Covid-negative and fully vaccinated servitors will be allowed to take part in “Snan Purnima” - bathing ritual - and other programmes, the SRC said.

“Curfew will be clamped on the holy town on the day of Rath Yatra. All restrictions imposed during last year’s event will remain in force,” Jena explained.

According to the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court for the Rath Yatra, no more than 500 people will be allowed to pull the chariots. The chariot pullers will have to undergo a COVID test prior to the beginning of the festival. The group of 500 people includes temple servitors and police personnel.

A curfew will also be imposed in Puri for the festival and only essential and emergency services will be allowed. Further, the vehicular movement to and from Puri will be restricted during Rath Yatra.

Currently, the Puri Jagannath temple is closed for the public till June 15 because of coronavirus infections.

Last year, the Odisha government prohibited public participation and arranged a live telecast of the event. This year also, the state government might take a similar decision.

The plans are made for live coverage of Snana Yatra (bathing festival) on June 24, Gundicha Yatra (car festival) on July 12, Bahuda Yatra (return car festival) on July 20, Suna-Besha (golden attire) on July 21 and Niladri-Bije (return entry to Temple) on July 23.

NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitize, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona 
 

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