Covid-19 pandemic may put brakes on pulling of chariots this Rath Yatra in Puri

BHUBANESWAR: As Covid-19 pandemic has prompted the Puri Jagannath temple administration to plan for June 23 Rath Yatra without the participation of devotees, uncertainty looms large on the chariot pulling exercise, which is the most attractive ritual of the annual festival.
While at least 600 persons are required to pull each of the three giant wooden chariots, the government apprehends the cumbersome practice, if allowed, may put the social distancing norms and religious congregation rule at stake. The state government that fears peak in Covid-19 positive cases this month has already banned any form of congregation in or outside religious places till June 30.

a“We may ban access of devotees to Rath Yatra festival. But hundreds of police personnel, administrative officials and servitors will have to be engaged for conduct of the Rath Yatra rituals inside the temple and on chariots outside the shrine. Allowing congregation of huge numbers of cops, government officers and servitors to pull the chariots may be risky amid the Covid-19 pandemic,” a senior government official said, requesting anonymity.

Amid uncertainty of Rath Yatra, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) on May 7 granted permission to the state government to start construction of chariots for the Rath Yatra. Over 80 carpenters (Maharana and Bhoi sevaks) have since been working hard to complete the chariots. All the carpenters underwent Covid-19 before being engaged in the chariot work. The height of Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra will be 45-ft, Nandighosh of Jagannath 45.6ft and Devidalan chariot of goddess Subhadra will be of 44.6ft.
“I cannot say at present whether the chariot pulling will be held or not. The government will take the right decision at the appropriate time. I am hopeful that all the rituals of Rath Yatra will be performed smoothly by god’s grace,” Puri district collector and deputy chief administrator of Jagannath temple, Balwant Singh told TOI.
Earlier, the temple administration said the chariots will be dismantled and used as firewood in the temple’s kitchen if the government bans pulling of chariots. The temple administration is likely to consult Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati this week to know if any alternative arrangements can be done in place of the chariot pulling practice. “We will urge the Shankaracharya to guide us on how to safeguard our old tradition if we stop chariot pulling ritual this time,” another temple official said.
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