New Delhi: The famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri, Odisha is scheduled to begin from July 12 amid the COVID-19 protocol. Before the big festival, the preparations and the pre-festival rituals have started. On Thursday, June 24, being Snan Purnima – the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra reached the bathing mandap and devotees could see it virtually.
This year no crowd has been allowed keeping in mind the pandemic situation. According to Puri District Magistrate Samarth Verma, the Pahari ritual will start at around 1 am and Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra will reach the bathing pavilion. “Once a year, the Lord comes out so that people of other religions can have ‘darshan’. So every year lakhs of people gather outside the temple. This year, however, this year, thousands of years of ritual will be observed virtually, Verma told ANI.
Watch: Deba Snan Purnima being celebrated #Puri, #OdishaCause blows without devotees #COVID-19 Universal pandemic.#debasnanapurnima
(years) pic.twitter.com/3A7Bnm7XHD
— Zee News English (@ZeeNewsEnglish) 24 June 2021
view from #Puri, #OdishaJagannath Temple on the occasion of Deba Snan Purnima.
Celebrations begin in the absence of devotees #COVID-19 Universal pandemic.#debasnanapurnima #Jagannath
(years) pic.twitter.com/YcIm9zInFb
— Zee News English (@ZeeNewsEnglish) 24 June 2021
Today, on the oldest full moon day, the holy bath of the Lord takes place in the Shri Mandir. First the procession of idols starts after Prasad, Dorlagi and garland. The fourth idol of Ratnavedi is lined up in seven steps. pic.twitter.com/FpyEptsctN
— Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) 24 June 2021
Mangalaparna from 1 am, Pahadi till 4 am. According to odishatv.in, Besha moved from 11 am and most often the hills between 5 pm and 8 pm.
— Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) 24 June 2021
Today’s Patitpaban Darshan in Shri Jagannath Temple, #Puri. pic.twitter.com/V9RszEYpIV
— Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) 24 June 2021
Chief Administrator of the temple Dr Krishna Kumar informed that only fully vaccinated people will be allowed in the temple who have a COVID negative report.
Kumar told ANI, “There will be no gathering outside the temple, Section 144 will be imposed by the district administration. We will only follow traditional rituals. After this, Lord Jagannath will rest for 15 days and reappear during the Rath Yatra. Will be.”
The gates of the 11th century temple – the abode of Lord Jagannath Puri – will open on June 25, 2021, after several weeks of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the pandemic, the day will be celebrated without the physical presence of thousands of devotees. Instead, the festival will be telecast live for devotees across the world.
Jai Jagannath!
(with ANI inputs)
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