The second wave of coronavirus is still active in the country as every day thousands of new COVID-19 infections are being reported. Restrictions imposed by various state governments are slowly being lifted as word of caution is still out for the public.
In the midst of this, the Gujarat government has decided that the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath will be conducted on July 12. It has been said that the Rath Yatra will be carried out following strict COVID-19 protocols.
144th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath will be broadcast live and there will be a ban on the distribution of prasad. Elephants, troupes, and other vehicles are also not allowed during the Rath Yatra.
The Gujarat government says a curfew will be imposed on the route through which Rath Yatra will commence. The curfew will be observed from 7 am to 2 pm. It is expected that the 19 km of Rath Yatra shall be completed in five hours.
Rath Yatra will only have 5 vehicles which include 3 chariots. 60 people (20 for each chariot) along with some priests, chief priest Mahant Dilipdasjee and trustees of the temple are allowed to take part in this year's rath yatra. Coronavirus testing will be done 48 hours prior to those participating in the chariot's departure.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will also be present during the Mangal Aarti.
Last year, only a symbolic rath yatra was organised in the premises of the Lord Jagannath temple in the Jamalpur area after the Gujarat High Court denied permission for the usual public procession in the wake of the pandemic.
(With PTI Inputs)