Bhubaneswar: Due to the second wave of corona infection in the country, religious activities are still banned in many places. Recently Jagannath Yatra was organized in Puri, Odisha. Last year, devotees were not allowed to participate in the Jagannath Yatra. For the second year in a row, ‘Bol Bam Yatra’ of Shiva devotees has been banned in Odisha.
Ban on ‘Bol Bam Yatra’
Due to the current coronavirus infection in Odisha, the state government on Tuesday banned the Kanwar Yatra of “Kaudiya” or “Bol Bom” devotees. An order has been issued by the state government to ban religious activities and gatherings of Bol Bam devotees.
An order issued by the Chief Secretary of Odisha said that after assessing the situation of COVID-19, it has been decided to ban the religious gathering ‘Bol Bom Jatra’ in the state. The order states that ‘Bol Bam’ devotees are not allowed to collect water from rivers, ponds and other water bodies or walk on any public road.
Order issued regarding corona infection
The Chief Secretary said that the state government has banned ‘Bol Bam Jatra’ for the second consecutive year in view of the possibility of a third wave of Kovid-19. At present, the government has already banned religious functions and other functions till 16 July 2021. All religious places are closed to the general public during the ban.
Let us tell you that every year during the pilgrimage the ‘Kaudiyas’ travel barefoot for miles in several groups chanting ‘Bol Bom’ to sanctify the holy water. On every Monday in the month of ‘Shravan’, devotees begin the barefoot journey to offer holy water to Shiva temples on Saturdays and Sundays.
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