Rath Yatra: Sevayats To Pull Chariots Amid Tight Security In Puri

Puri: Like last year, Jagannath temple sevayats will pull the three chariots of the sibling deities during Rath Yatra in Puri on July 12.

Therefore, no official or policeman will pull the chariots this year, said Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Krishan Kumar.

This was decided at a meeting of Chhattisha Nijog on Saturday evening.

Kumar, who presided over the meeting, also informed that the sevayats won’t be allowed to carry mobile phones to the chariots and also while pulling them.

He, however, added that some sevayats have requested SJTA to allow them to carry their mobile phones to the chariots for urgent calls. These sevayats will be allowed to carry mobile phones, but without cameras.

“As some sevayats had taken selfies atop the chariots during Rath Yatra last year on their mobile phones, the decision was taken to disallw them from carrying mobile phones with cameras this year,” Kumar explained.

“However, a final decision will taken at the next meeting of the Chhattisha Nijog soon,” he added.

It was also decided to limit the number of sevayats on the chariots. “The exact number of sevayats to be allowed on the chariots will be finalized at the next meeting,” he said.

The SJTA chief administrator said all the sevayats and temple staff engaged in Rath Yatra will be tested for COVID-19 in line with government guidelines.

Keeping the intense humidity in view, there will be temporary rest sheds at three places along Bada Danda (Grand Road) for the sevayats during the yatra.

Kumar said there will be adequate supply of drinking water and first-aid provisions at these rest sheds.

After the three chariots reach Sri Gundicha temple, vehicles will be arranged to bring back the sevayats to Jagannath temple, he informed.

Puri District Collector Samarth Verma, who was also present at the press briefing, said the owners of hotels and lodging houses along Bada Danda were instructed not to accept bookings from customers two days prior to Rath Yatra. Besides, the dharmasalas along road will be vacated two days before the yatra, he added.

Puri SP Kanwar Vishal Singh said the owners of private houses along Bada Danda were requested to stay inside their homes and not to move to the rooftops during Rath Yatra. “Besides, they have been asked not to allow any person to witness the festivity from the rooftops of their houses,” the SP added.

Singh further said prohibitory order under Section 144 will be clamped in the entire Bada Danda area from 7 pm of July 11 to 2 pm of July 13 to restrict the movement of people.

Apart from this, night curfew will be clamped in the entire town from 7 pm of July 11 to 2 pm of July 13 to restrict the movement of the people except for emergency work, Singh said.

Talking about the security measures, he informed that for proper surveillance, the pilgrim town will be divided into 12 zones while the Bada Danda will have three zones.

“Around 70 platoons of force will be deployed in these zones,” the SP said, adding that all entry points in the town will be sealed from the night before Rath Yatra.