The second wave of coronavirus is still active in the country as thousands of new COVID-19 infections are emerging every day. Restrictions imposed by various state governments are being gradually removed as warnings for the public are still in place.
Meanwhile, the Gujarat government has decided that the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath will be held on July 12. It has been said that the Rath Yatra will be taken out following strict COVID-19 protocols.
The 144th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath will be telecast live and there will be a ban on distribution of Prasad. Elephants, troupes and other vehicles are also not allowed during the Rath Yatra.
The Gujarat government says that curfew will be imposed on the route from which the Rath Yatra will start. There will be a curfew from 7 am to 2 pm. It is expected that the 19 km Rath Yatra will be completed in five hours.
There will be only 5 vehicles in the Rath Yatra which includes 3 chariots. 60 people (20 for each chariot) along with some priests, chief priest Mahant Dilipdasji and trustees of the temple are allowed to participate in this year’s Rath Yatra. Those attending the departure of the chariot will be tested for corona virus 48 hours before.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will also be present during Mangal Aarti.
Last year, only a symbolic Rath Yatra was organized in the premises of Lord Jagannath temple in Jamalpur area after the Gujarat High Court refused to allow a normal public procession in view of the pandemic.
(with PTI inputs)
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