Bhubaneswar: With the Ministry of Home Affairs further extending the lockdown till May 31, the Sital Sasthi Yatra, the divine wedding of Lord Lingaraj, slated for May 27 has been cancelled.
Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Additional Commissioner Abani Kanta Patnaik had written to the state government seeking permission for conducting Sital Sasthi in consonance with the lockdown guidelines.
The administration earlier had to suspend the annual Rukuna Ratha Jatra and Chandan Jatra of Lord Lingaraj, following the COVID-19 lockdown which prohibits any kind of religious celebrations which may invite public participation. All religious institutions like temples, mosques, churches and Gurudwaras have also been closed for public as a precautionary measure in view of the outbreak.
The wedding of the divine couple is solemnised on the sixth day of fortnight of the Hindu month of ‘Jyestha’ every year to welcome the monsoon.
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