The famous Rath Yatra of Goddess Biraja in Jajpur district will be held this year amidst the Covid pandemic, the Orissa High Court ruled on Thursday.
Hearing two PILs, the court directed the district Collector to make arrangements for holding of the Rath Yatra adhering to Covid-19 guidelines.
Last week, the High Court had sought response from the State Government on conduct of the nine -day-long Rath Yatra scheduled from October 17. The two PILs had been filed by the Mukti Mandapa Sevayat Parishad of Maa Biraja Temple and the Jajpur District Lawyers’ Association seeking permission for holding of the car festival. The servitors of the Biraja Temple had stated that the festival is being held since time immemorial and its discontinuance would hurt religious sentiment of thousands of devotees.
Like the Puri Rath Yatra, let the festival of Goddess Biraja be held with strict adherence to Covid-19 guidelines, the servitors pleaded.
The Biraja Rath Yatra is held during Dussehra. However, the State Government has not given permission for the festival this year owing to Covid-19.