Puri Gajapati Hopeful Of Modification in SC’s Rath Yatra Order

Puri: Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb on Friday said he was hopeful of partial modification in the Supreme Court’s stay order on Rath Yatra in the Temple Town.

Speaking to mediapersons after a meeting with the representatives of Chhatis Nijog and Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, the Gajapati said since fresh petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court on the matter, they were expecting that there can be some modifications in the order.

“The Supreme Court’s order is an interim one. Hearing on the modification petition will take place on Monday and we have to wait till then,” he said.

He further said it was told before the court that 10-12 lakh people are likely to congregate during the festival and the order was based on that. But our plan was to hold the rituals without any devotees which was not presented before the court, he added.

Meanwhile, the Chhatis Nijog will discuss alternate rituals of the Rath Yatra inside the temple on Saturday and Sunday in case the Supreme Court order remains unchanged on Monday, the Gajapati said.

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