Jagannath Puri's rathyatra started: but the absence of joy

Only sailors and police personnel as well as officers who were declared negative in the Covid-12 test were allowed to participate.

Puri: The famous Jagannath Puri Rathyatra across the country came under the control of Kovid-13, but following Corona's guidelines and allowing only a limited number of attendees, there was not as much excitement as usual. Reflecting a similar yatra in Puri, the rathyatra was held in the presence of a limited number of people in places like Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Jammu and Agartala across the country following the rules of Kovid-12, while in Jharkhand no rathyatra was held. Thus, for the second year in a row, the pilgrimage of Lord Jagannath Puri had to face the restrictions of Kovid-12. However it was broadcast live on TV.

Lord Jagannath's rathyatra took place between the skyscraper conch shells and Hari Ball Hari's cheers. The rathyatra was carried out with the protocol of Kovid-12 and the entire city was placed under curfew following the rathyatra.

The three-kilometer-long road in front of the temple was deserted due to the absence of devotees, as only selected priests and police personnel were allowed to participate.

Only sailors, police personnel and officers who were declared negative in the Covid-12 test were allowed to take part in it, said Puri Collector Samarth Verma. During the Rathyatra period, gathering was prohibited not only in the streets but also on the roofs. The curfew was imposed with public health in mind, he said.

The procession of Lord Jagannath started late on Sunday night. Lord Sudarshan was placed in a chariot with Lord Balbhadra, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Jagannath in a ritual called Pahandi. A curfew was imposed in the entire state following this procession.

The idols of the three goddesses were removed from the Ratna throne and the Baishi Pahcha ritual was performed 8 steps outside the temple. He had to go through the Lions Gate.

Apart from this other traditional rituals like Mangala Aarti, Mailam and Surya Puja were performed, after which the priests brought out the idol of the Goddess.

All three chariots were made of wood and were also brought in red, black, green and yellow respectively covering the Lord.

ISKCON Temple, Mahesh Temple is located in Hooghly District, Kolkata. Rathyatra was also celebrated at this temple, but this celebration was done with the protocol of Kovid-12. In Jharkhand, the rathyatra was not canceled due to fear of Corona.

President Ramnath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Governor of Odisha Ganesh Lal, Chief Minister of Odisha Patnaik, Governor of Andhra B. Harichandra greeted the people on this occasion.