After cancellation of the annual Rukuna Rath Yatra of Lord Lingaraj here due to the coronavirus crisis, now uncertainty is looming large over Chandan Yatra of the Lingaraj Temple.
This year, Chandan Yatra is scheduled on April 26, the first day of the annual festival. If COVID-19 lockdown gets extended further, the Yatra would be suspended as the rituals for the event could not be performed later on other days, the temple servitors said.
The Chandan Yatra is observed at the Puri Jagannath Temple and other shrines across the State. Every year, it begins on holy Akshaya Trutiya and continues till Chandan Purnima, as per Hindu almanac.
According to lockdown guidelines, no religious event can take place during lockdown to maintain physical distancing in the battle against COVID-19. Under the rule, the annual sojourn of Lord Lingaraj on Ashokastami was suspended this year.
“If the lockdown restriction period gets extended, no religious programme can be held as per the Government guideline,” said Lingaraj Temple Executive Officer Prasanna Dash.