#CoronaShadow looms over Rath Yatra 2020

The annual Rath Yatra in Puri is poised for a historic celebration this year. Keeping in mind the Covid-19 pandemic, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) wants it to be held sans devotees and a proposal to this effect has already been put forward to the Odisha government. Moreover, while the state government has directed shopping malls and religious places to remain closed till June 30, the Jagannath Temple administration has decided to keep the premises closed till July 5.

In response, Puri collector Balwant Singh announced on behalf of the state government on Tuesday that Section 144 CrPC will be imposed around the Jagannath Temple from 10 pm on June 4 till the morning of June 6 for Snana Purnima. The government had earlier taken permission from the Centre to start construction of the chariots, which begins on Akshaya Tritiya.


The Shree Jagannath Temple managing committee met over a video call recently to discuss the nitty-gritty of conducting month-long celebration and reopening of the temple, keeping in view the current situation. It was unanimously decided that all the rituals will be conducted with only the concerned servitors in attendance; no devotees will be allowed.

After the meeting, the Gajapati of Puri, Dibya Singh Deb, informed the media that the temple will remain closed till July 5. “The Snana Yatra on June 5 will be performed inside the Meghnad pacheri (the boundary wall of the temple). A limited number of servitors and people from the administration will be allowed to carry out the rituals,” he said, adding that the servitors who will perform the rituals will follow all Covid-19 safety guidelines.

The temple administration is all for conducting a full-fledged Rath Yatra as usual, albeit without the millions of devotees. But this can only be possible if the state government imposes crowd restrictions. “Since lakhs of devotees gather during Rath Yatra, the event can easily lead to the spread of Covid-19. So, we requested the state government to restrict the entry of people on Grand Road during the yatra. Now, it’s up to the state government,” the Gajapati said.


The servitors who will perform the rituals have been tested for Covid-19. Since it’s not possible to maintain social distance during rituals like pahandi, we have advised them not to mix with other people ahead of the event
— Krishan Kumar, chief administrator of SJTA



Devotees should not be allowed near the temple, as large gatherings can be dangerous from a Covid-19 point of view
Gatherings shouldn’t be allowed on Bada Danda, where the chariot pulling will be held
Prevent entry of people to Puri so that they can’t come to Bada Danda or Grand Road during Rath Yatra
Only servitors, temple administrators and security forces should be allowed to attend the Rath Yatra
The events and rituals should be broadcast live on television


June 4-6: Imposition of Section 144 CrPC in and around the Jagannath temple complex in Puri during the Snana Yatra
Till June 30: Ban on all religious congregations
All trains to Puri have been cancelled to keep tourists away from the festival venue


June 5: Snana Yatra, when the deities take a holy bath on the occasion of Deba Snana Purnima
June 6-19: The lords go into Anasar and are unavailable for darshan
June 20: Netra Utsav and Naba Jauban Darshan
June 23: Gundicha Yatra or Rath Yatra
July 1: Bahuda Yatra or reverse Rath Yatra
July 2: Suna Besha
July 3: Adhara Pana
July 4: Niladri Bije