Jagannath Temple Sevayats Flay Odisha Govt, Lose Hope Of Rath Yatra

Puri: The sevayats of Shree Jagannath Temple on Wednesday came down heavily on the Odisha government for its ‘double standards’ in matters relating to the Rath Yatra scheduled on June 23.

Talking to mediapersons here, senior sevayat Binayak Dasmahapatra said, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) had sought the state government’s permission in a letter to the principal secretary. Now, it is learnt that the state government has referred the matter to the Centre for a final call.

“It is now clear that the state government is playing hide and seek. This is a pre-planned drama, in which it was decided in principle, not to conduct the Rath Yatra this year. You will come to know the truth after a final announcement is made. The state government should have made its decision clear after cancelling the Chandan Yatra of the Lords. Going by this attitude, I don’t think the Rath Yatra will be held this year. The state government should not stop the Yatra deliberately and forcefully,” he pointed out.

In his reaction, chief carpenter (Mukhya Maharana) of Nandighosh chariot, Bijaya Mahapatra said he has given up hope that Rath Yatra will be held this year. According to the temple tradition, the construction work of the three chariots begins from Akshaya Tritiya. But 11 days have already passed. Besides, the consecration of the chariot wheel should have begun today on the occasion of Nrushingha Chaturdashi. As this cannot be held today, there will no construction work henceforth.

On the other hand, another senior sevayat, Damodar Padhani hoped that the Centre will give permission to conduct the Yatra.

“While there has been a detailed review on the conduct of the Rath Yatra in accordance with the lockdown guidelines, we hope that the Centre will give permission to the state government to conduct the Yatra through e-mail by tonight,” he added.