Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday announced a two-day state holiday for the Rath Yatra, which is scheduled to begin on July 7.

This year, the three chariots will be pulled on July 7 and July 8.

Majhi made this announcement after reviewing the state’s preparations for the upcoming Rath Yatra in Puri. More than 10 lakh people are expected to congregate during the Rath Yatra. Even President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to arrive in Puri on July 6 and attend the famous Rath Yatra the next day.

The deities, who are in hibernation or Anavasara after falling sick following a lavish bath with 108 pots of specially scented water on Deba Snana Purnima on June 22, will step out of the temple and embark on a nine-day sojourn on July 7, popularly known as Rath Yatra.

As the rituals of the deities such as Nabajabuan Darshan, Netra Utsav and Rath Yatra fall on the same day, the chariots — Nandighosh, Darpadalan and Taladhwaja — will be pulled for two days. On July 7, it will be pulled for a short distance. The chariot-pulling will resume the next day.

The chief minister said: “The tribals worship Lord Jagannath as their deity. Being a tribal, I have dedicated myself to the cause of the Lord. I appeal to all to ensure that the Rath Yatra passes peacefully.”

Stating that it will be a unique Rath Yatra, Majhi said: “After 53 years, Rath Yatra will be held on two consecutive days. Considering the sentiments of the lakhs of devotees, we have decided to declare two days as holidays.”

The same kind of situation had taken place in 1971. “The rituals that were followed in 1971 will be followed this year. The servitors will cooperate with the temple administration to conduct the Rath Yatra smoothly,” said senior servitor Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra.