Puri: After a gap of two years, devotees will be allowed to participate in the 21-day-long Chandan Yatra of Lord Jagannath, which will begin on May 3. Last two years, devotees were not allowed to take part in the festival because of COVID-19.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) said all arrangements were in place and that it expected a large number of devotees during Chandan Yatra despite the heatwave.
Samarth Verma, Deputy Chief Administrator of SJTA and Puri Collector, held the final coordination meeting with all departments like police, health, municipality, temple officials and servitors for the Chandan Yatra on Saturday.
“As heatwave conditions are prevailing, we have made adequate arrangements for the sprinkling of water and provision of drinking water, ORS etc,” Verma said.
Narendra Puskarini has also been lighted and decorated for devotees.
Construction of chariots for the annual Rath Yatra will also begin on May 3 (Akshaya Tritiya).