Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Tuesday issued letter of consent to the temple servitors to go ahead with the rituals for the consecration of chariots (rath pratistha) even though uncertainty looms over the Rath Yatra, scheduled to begin from June 23.
Senior servitor Siddheswar Mahapatra told reporters: “All the rituals are going on as per the schedule. Now with the consent of the temple authorities, the draping of the chariots will begin. The work is going on at a full speed.”
Meanwhile, petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court on the cancellation of the yatra. Petitioners have urged the Supreme Court for cancellation of the yatra citing that social distancing would not be possible to maintain. “The matter will be taken up for hearing on June 18, five days ahead of the yatra,” sources said.
The Opposition has asked the state government to clarify whether Rath Yatra would be held or not. The state government is yet to hold the coordination meeting for the yatra.
