The Holy city of Puri in Odisha is all set to hold devotee-less Rath Yatra on Monday.
This will be for the second time that the Rath Yatra in Puri will be devotee-less due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Rath Yatra will be organised with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols, the Jagannath Temple authorities said.
The Jagannath Temple authorities have informed that only those ‘servitors’ who have tested COVID-19 negative would be allowed to pull the chariots.
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“There will be no devotees. COVID-19 negative chariot pullers will be allowed to attend the Rath Yatra,” informed Jagannath Temple authorities.
Around 3000 ‘servitors’ and 1000 temple officials will take part in the Rath Yatra at Puri in Odisha.
Ratha Yatra is a Hindu festival associated with Lord Jagannath, held every year at Puri in Odisha.
The festival commemorates Jagannath’s annual visit to Gundicha Temple via Mausi Maa Temple near Saradha Bali in Puri.
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PM Narendra Modi wished people on the occasion of Rath Yatra. He said: “Greetings to everyone on the special occasion of the Rath Yatra. We bow to Lord Jagannath and pray that his blessings bring good health and prosperity in everyone’s lives. Jai Jagannath!”
Greetings to everyone on the special occasion of the Rath Yatra. We bow to Lord Jagannath and pray that his blessings bring good health and prosperity in everyone’s lives. Jai Jagannath!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 12, 2021
My heartiest greetings and good wishes on the auspicious occasion of Rath Yatra!
Lord Jagannath’s Puri Rath Yatra is one of the most revered and much-awaited festivals for devotees from Odisha and across India. #RathYatra #LordJagannath pic.twitter.com/CbKaIU8TCP
— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) July 12, 2021
Heartiest wishes to everyone on the occasion of Jagannath Rath Yatra.
May Mahaprabhu Jagannath bless all of us with good health, peace and prosperity in these testing times.
Jai Jagannath?? pic.twitter.com/pDbikmqhKx
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 12, 2021
Greetings to everyone on this holy occasion of Rath Yatra. May Lord Jagannath bring in the best colors of success, prosperity, and happiness to our lives.
Wishing everyone a blessed Rath Yatra!
(File photo from 2019) pic.twitter.com/DGd9X7SjZc
— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) July 12, 2021
Warm wishes to all on the auspicious occasion of #RathYatra!
I pray to Lord Jagannath for the safety and well-being of all my brothers & sisters.
Jai Jagannath ??
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 12, 2021