The Odisha government said on Saturday that this year's annual Rath Yatra festival will be held without a crowd of devotees and they will not be allowed to see the rituals even from the rooftops on the way to the chariot. Puri Collector Samarth Verma told reporters here that the administration has reviewed its decision and has also banned the view of Rath Yatra from the rooftops of houses and hotels.
He said curfew will be imposed in Puri city a day before the festival on July 12 which will remain in effect till noon the next day. Verma said that this festival of Ishwar Balbhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath is being celebrated continuously due to corona infection without the participation of devotees. He urged the people of the district to watch the festival live on TV.
The Odisha High Court had dismissed five petitions filed seeking removal of Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra at Kendrapara and Bargarh in addition to Puri. The petitioners had sought an order from the Odisha government to allow the Rath Yatra to be taken out at Bhatli in Kendrapara city as well as Bargarh. The petition also stated that only 'Sevadars' will be involved in this Rath Yatra and corona guidelines will be followed. The high court refused to interfere in the Rath Yatra.
Corona cases continue to decrease, less than 45000 infected cases reported in 24 hours
