Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday held telephonic discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi about organising Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra in Puri this year as there is an element of uncertainty over the centuries-old festival following the Covid-19 outbreak.
While apprising Modi of the Covid-19 situation in the State, Patnaik reportedly informed the Prime Minister that about 10 lakh devotees assemble in Puri to celebrate the mega festival every year. The two leaders discussed as to how to maintain social distancing when a large number people would gather for the Car Festival, which is scheduled on June 23.
Meanwhile, Jagannath culture researcher Bhaskar Mishra said the Rath Yatra has been held uninterrupted since 1736.
Opposition parties Congress and BJP have urged the State Government to take a decision on holding the Rath Yatra at the earliest.
According to the schedule, construction of chariots of the deities should begin on April 26 and Snana Yatra, the annual ceremonial bathing ritual of the deities at the temple, will be held in early June.
The Jagannath Temple has remained closed for devotees since March 22 though the rituals at the shrine are followed by the priests as usual.
Meanwhile, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has begun discussions on the issue with Govardhan Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati and Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb.
“The final decision will be taken in accordance with the views of the Shankaracharya,” said servitor Ramachandra Dasmohapatra, who is a member of the managing committee.
However, Shreemandir chief servitor Janardan Pattajoshi Mohapatra has suggested that the Rath Yatra, if organised this year, should be a low-key event to follow the tradition.
In a letter to the Shankaracharya, he wrote, “If the lockdown period continues up to the day of Rath Yatra, we would like to submit that the festival must still be performed for the important reason that the Rath Yatra constitutes not just a festive procession but an important ritual/event.”