Chandan Yatra of Lord Jagannath begins in Puri amid Covid protocols.
The Chandan Yatra of Lord Jagannath started on Saturday in Puri, Odisha. The yatra marks the start of development of Raths (Chariots) for the annual Rath Yatra scheduled to happen on July 12. However, in view of the second wave of coronavirus, solely a restricted quantity of folks had been allowed at this time to attend Chandan Yatra.
The Puri district administration has determined to clamp prohibitory order beneath Section 144 to stop gathering of devotees across the Narendra tank through the 21-day Chandan Yatra.
In regular occasions, 1000’s of devotees attend Chandan Yatra in Puri, however as a result of of pandemic, the entry was restricted.
Though the Chandan Yatra started on Saturday, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) had restricted devotees entry into the twelfth century shrine until May 15, 2021.
Chandan Yatra of Lord Jagannath started on Saturday.
However, the age-old each day rituals of the trinity-Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath – will proceed with assist of servitors and temple officers, SJTA chief administrator Krishan Kumar mentioned after chairing a gathering attended by representatives of temple servitors, the Puri district collector and superintendent of police, and different stakeholders.
It was additionally determined that every one preparations for the development of chariots will proceed as per traditions.
The SJTA will take steps for procurement of masks and sanitisers to be used throughout Chandan (sandalwood) Yatra, Snan (bathing) Yatra, and Ratha Yatra. The annual Ratha Yatra falls on July 12 this yr.
“The grave challenge posed by COVID-19 was discussed in detail. All were of the unanimous view that necessary steps must be taken to ensure continuity of the Niti-Kanti (rituals) of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath,” Kumar mentioned.
A call was additionally taken to hold out common screening and testing on households of servitors and temple officers. The rituals associated to the Ratha Yatra will start from Akashya Tritiya (May 15, at this time).
A COVID-19 Care Centre at Neelachal Yatri Niwas might be strengthened as per requirement, he mentioned. Arrangements will even be made for shifting critical sufferers to SUM and different hospitals in Bhubaneswar. The temple administrator (improvement) will act because the Nodal Officer, an official notice mentioned.
Focus might be given on the vaccination of these concerned in each day rituals on the shrine and people engaged in the development of chariots for the Ratha Yatra.
The assembly additionally resolved that the attention programme will proceed on the use of face masks, sanitisation and hand washing, and the necessity for sustaining social distancing. The temple was initially reopened for the servitors on December 23, 2020, after remaining closed for 9 months.
(With PTI inputs)
