Odisha Fights COVID-19: Chandan Jatra Sans Devotees In Puri This Year

Puri: In view of the COVID-19 lockdown, the traditional Chandan Jatra in Odisha’s Puri this year will be celebrated without devotees in attendance.

Taking note of the large footfall during this festival, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has decided not to allow any devotee to attend the rituals as a precautionary measure to check spread of the novel coronavirus.

Talking to mediapersons here on Wednesday, senior priest Binayak Dasmahapatra said that the temple managing committee has decided to perform Chandan Jatra rituals of the Lords. “The temple administration in accordance with the social distancing guidelines has decided to celebrate it without devotees,” he added.

He said that all preparations for the festival slated for April 26 have been completed.

Asked about the ensuing Rath Yatra on June 26, Dasmahapatra said the preparation will begin after Chandan Jatra.

He, however, said that Rath Yatra too will have to be performed without devotees if the situation does not improve by then. “Come what may, Rath Yatra of the Lords will be held. But the devotees will witness the festival on their TV sets,” he pointed out.