Supreme Court has allowed the conduct of Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra after ensuring a complete lack of public attendance for the festival to avoid spread of infection amid the pandemic.
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Odisha government will coordinate with the temple management and the Centre to make things smooth during Rath Yatra, which is attended by lakhs to people from around the world, and ensure compliance with health guidelines in view of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Key-Points
Ratha Yatra is a Hindu festival associated with Lord Jagannath held at Puri in Odisha.
It is regarded as the oldest Ratha Yatra taking place in India whose descriptions can be found in Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, and Skanda Purana and Kapila Samhita.
This annual festival is celebrated on Ashadha Shukla Paksha Dwitiya (second day in bright fortnight of Ashadha month).
The festival commemorates Jagannath’s annual visit to Gundicha Temple via Mausi Maa Temple (aunt’s home) near Balagandi Chaka, Puri.
Ratha-jatra is derived two Sanskrit words, Ratha which means chariot or carriage, and jatra which means journey or pilgrimage.
