Chief minister Hemant Soren offered prayers at the Jagannath temple in Ranchi on Tuesday and sought forgiveness from Lord Jagannath for having to cancel the 330-year-old Rath Yatra in view of the cronavirus pandemic.

“With a heavy heart we had to cancel the centuries old Rath Yatra. People from all sects of society have compromised with religious rituals in the past couple of months, and we can only hope that Lord Jaggannath blesses us with good health,” said Hemant.

“I bowed down to Lord Jagannath today and sought forgiveness,” he added after offering prayers from outside the main temple.

Chief minister and others after offering prayers from outside the sanctum sanctorum of the Jagannath temple Manob Chowdhury

Hemant visited the temple in Dhurwa with his two sons in the morning and requested the priests there to seek blessings from Lord Jagannath for the people of Jharkhand and India.

“Our efforts in combating Covid-19 pandemic are showing results. The Covid recovery rate of our state is also improving by the day, and we shall soon overcome this pandemic,” he said while addressing media persons at the main gate of the temple.

Ranchi is the second largest destination for Rath Yatra in India after Puri, claim local temple authorities. The Jagannath temple in Ranchi was established in 1691.

Chief minister Hemant Soren taking pictures of the view from Ranchi hill (following picture) Manob Chowdhury

On Tuesday, the rath did not roll out from temple for the first time in its 330-year history. No devote was allowed inside the main temple. All rituals were conducted within the closed complex.

Even Hemant, who reached the temple complex around 1 pm, did not enter the sanctum sanctorum and offered his prayers from near the entrance.

The traditional fair, held on the occasion of Rath Yatra, was also not held.

“It would, otherwise, be very difficult to manage,” said management committee secretary Chandrakant Raipat, adding there would be a large crowd even if a few from neighbouring localities had gone there.

ThousanIt is believed that devotes who get to pull the holy chariot from the temple to Mausi badi (aunt’s house) attain immortality. Mausi badi holds a lot of importance in the life of Lord Jagannath, said a priest at the temple.

He said that Lord Jagannath was brought up by his “mausi (aunt)” and following the tradition he is taken to his aunt’s house every year for nine days during Rath Yatra.

The overcast sky in Ranchi on Tuesday morning Manob Chowdhury

It is believed that devotes who get to pull the holy chariot from the temple to Mausi badi (aunt’s house) attain immortality. Mausi badi holds a lot of importance in the life of Lord Jagannath, said a priest at the temple.

He said that Lord Jagannath was brought up by his “mausi (aunt)” and following the tradition he is taken to his aunt’s house every year for nine days during Rath Yatra.

The unused chariot parked on the side of the road Manob Chowdhury

Chants of Hare Krishna and Jai Jagannath marked Rath Yatra celebrations in Jamshedpur on Tuesday. The Jamshedpur unit of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) organised the Rath Yatra with restricted participation at Golmuri Bhola Prasad

The idol of Jagannath is carried to the chariot at Dhansar Jagannath Mandir in Dhanbad Gautam Dey

A chariot is pulled only by the committee members and their family members of Harimandir, Hirapur, Dhanbad Gautam Dey

The Rath Yatra in Dhanbad last year Gautam Dey