The annual Jagannath Rath Yatra marks the journey of the three deities — Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra — to the temple of their 'aunt', Devi Gundicha. The occasion is also called the "chariot festival"
Odisha minister for Higher Education and Agriculture Dr Arun Kumar Sahoo said state government welcomes the decision and informs that all safety measures will be taken.
In the wake of Gujarat High Court's stay on taking out the Rath Yatra procession of Lord Jagannath in Ahmedabad in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the temple authorities decided to move the chariot of the deity within the premises of the religious structure on Monday.
The Supreme Court had earlier said that in the interest of public health and safety of citizens, this year's Rath Yatra, which was scheduled for June 23, at Puri in Odisha cannot be allowed and "Lord Jagannath won't forgive us if we allow" it.
The Shankaracharya of Puri, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, on Sunday alleged that there was a well-orchestrated plan to stall Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra this year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Rath Yatra is set to be a low-key affair in West Bengal this year, as several organising committees of the annual car festival have called off festivities to avoid public gatherings in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Servitors during Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2020 will use masks similar to the coloured cloths used in Raths. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has requested Boyanika, which represents the primary weavers’ cooperative societies of Odisha to make 5,000 masks on Friday.
The Orissa High Court has directed the state government that in case it decides to hold Rath Yatra festival at Puri in consistent with the COVID-19guidelines, then it must also duly consider deploying machinery or other means like elephants to pull the chariots.
The COVID-19 scare has left the ISKCON in a quandary about holding its annual Ratha Yatra festival at its global headquarters at Mayapur in West Bengal and in the city.
The Union Home Ministry on Thursday made it clear that the decision of holding the Rath Yatra in Puri would be taken by the Odisha government keeping in mind the prevailing COVID-19 situation, but allowed construction of the chariot for the religious procession.
Thousands of devotees participated in the chariot-pulling ceremony in Ulto Rath Yatra held at many places in West Bengal.
Lakhs of people have congregated in Puri for a glimpse of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on the Bada Danda (Grand Road) as they travel from their home -- the 12th century Jagannath temple to the Shree Gundicha temple, home of their aunt.
Ahead of the annual Jagannath Yatra, the cabinet minister along with his wife Sonal Shah offered prayers to Lord Jagannath. Amit Shah is on a two-day visit to Gujarat. This is his first visit to Gujarat after he took over as Union Home Minister.
She also shared a video message inviting everyone to be a part of the auspicious event.
The Rath Yatra will traverse a distance of 14 kilometres and will have three chariots, 19 elephants, 100 trucks, 30 troupes and seven motorcars.
Revenue minister and senior party leader Chandrakant Patil said Fadnavis' campaign tour will start in August and the date will be announced later.
However, the top court said the West Bengal BJP unit can conduct meetings and rallies.
The West Bengal unit of the BJP has challenged the December 21 order of the division bench of the Calcutta High Court, which had set aside the order of a single-judge bench allowing the procession.
Coming down heavily on the BJP for its proposed Rath Yatras in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said such yatras are typically conducted in the name of God, and not meant to indulge in "danga" (riot).
The party approached the Supreme Court seeking permission to hold the campaign 'Save Democracy Rally', which would cover 42 parliamentary constituencies in the state ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Top News
Latest News
