No regular Rath Yatra, chariot to move within temple premises

In wake of Gujarat High Court's stay on taking out Rath Yatra procession of Lord Jagannath in Ahmedab in view of COVID-19 pandemic, temple authorities decided to move chariot of deity within premises of religious structure on Tuesday.

Chief priest of Lord Jagannath Temple, Mahant Dilip Dasji Maharaj, on Sunday said that 143rd Rath Yatra will t be taken out on its usual route.

Gujarat High Court h Saturday evening ordered stay on Rath Yatra procession, scheduled to be taken out on June 23, as it may spre coronavirus infection among people who would gar along route of event.

"In view of high court order, it has been decided to organise 143rd procession at a small level- only within temple premises- and t on a large scale as was case in past," chief priest said.

He was speaking after a meeting of Jagannath Temple Trust held in presence of state Home Minister Pripsinh Jeja and DGP Shivanand Jha among or state officers.

"re is a possibility of spre of infection if procession is taken out. It is important for devotees to stay healthy. y will keep getting blessings of Lord Jagannath. Keeping this in mind, mangla aarti and or rituals will be held like every year. However, rath (chariot) will only go around temple premises and move within its boundary only," he said.

chariot will stay within temple premises throughout day so that devotees can take darshan while hering to social distancing rms, he said.

Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani welcomed "timely decision" taken by trustees of temple of t taking out a procession in view of pandemic. Mahant Dilip Dasji said that as always, Trust will invite Union Home Minister Amit Shah and or leers to offer prayers on occasion as y have been tritionally doing.

"This is first time that Yatra is t going out (along its usual route). We all respect order of Gujarat High Court. We are in midst of pandemic, and it is important to keep people safe from infection," he said. Home Minister Pripsinh Jeja, DGP Shivanand Jha and Ahmedab police commissioner Ashish Bhatia visited Jagannath temple on Sunday evening to take part in aarti and or rituals.