Puri: After allegations of outsiders’ presence in the inner cordon of the chariots during Rath Yatra of the Triad of Jagannath Temple here, the Puri administration was again caught off guard when a photograph of two youths clicking selfies on the chariots of Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra went viral on Wednesday.
“It is still unclear whether they were servitors. The matter will be investigated,” Collector Samarth Verma told a local news channel.
The annual festival is being held without the participation of devotees and any presence of outsiders could mean a violation of the Supreme Court directive.
The Pilgrim Town was under curfew during Rath Yatra and Section 144 was again clamped for Bahuda Yatra. Residents of buildings along the Bada Danda (Grand Road) were barred from going to their terraces and even balconies to witness the fete.
The prohibitory orders will be in force till 8 this evening.