Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday watched the live telecast of Rath Yatra in Puri and paid obeisance to Lord Jagannath from his office at Lok Seva Bhawan here.
The Lords embarked on their annual sojourn this afternoon with sevayats and policemen pulling the chariots amid the curfew imposed in the Pilgrim Town. There were no performers on the Grand Road and the devotees too were missing with the Supreme Court banning any congregation during the festival in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the sibling deities reached Gundicha Temple in the evening, the CM expressed happiness over the timely completion of the chaiot pulling ritual in Puri.
He thanked the sevayats, temple administration, district administration and the police for ensuring smooth conduct of the festival despite the restrictions.
He also had a word of praise for the denizens of Puri who cooperated with the administration by strictly adhering to the Supreme Court’s directive.
The Pahandi at Mausi Maa Temple will be held on Wednesday morning.
