Odisha: 70 servitors to be tested ahead of Chandan Yatra

The Jagannath Temple

BHUBANESWAR: The Jagannath Temple administration in Puri has decided to conduct the RT-PCR tests of some 70-odd servitors ahead of Chandan Yatra, a key ritual of the shrine, which is scheduled to take place on May 15. Only those servitors, who will test negative, would be allowed to perform the rituals.
“We plan to start the tests either on May 11 or 12 so that the servitors are ready to conduct the rituals by May 15. Special arrangements for the accommodation of the servitors have been made so that they do not mingle with others,” temple administrator (development) Ajay Kumar Jena said.
Chandan Yatra, which is observed on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, is a major festival in the run-up to Rath Yatra, which will be held on July 12. Chandan Yatra, an annual summer water sport or voyage of the deities, is traditionally performed in Narendra pond, about 500 metres from the Jagannath Temple. It could not be performed in the pond last year owing to the outbreak of Covid-19.

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