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A heavy security presence has been deployed to the city of Puri in India’s Odisha state – as the gods from the Shree Jagannath Temple board their chariots to visit other temples. This festival is called the “Rath Yatra” and it holds major religious significance for the Hindus as it is when the idols of the gods come out to meet their devotees.
Devotees will not be able to participate in the annual “Rath Yatra”, or chariot festival, for the second time in a row this year, as it commenced in India’s Puri city on Monday amid fears of a third COVID wave outbreak.
With mentions in ancient Hindu scriptures, the city’s “chariot festival” is believed to be one of the oldest “Rath Yatras” in the world.
As part of rituals, idols of three deities – Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra – are placed on three giant, decorated chariots before being pulled by devotees with ropes from the city’s sacred Temple of Shree Jagannath.
Quiet Celebrations This Year
After battling the deadly second wave of COVID between April and May, India is still recovering and taking measures to delay the predicted third wave.
Under the direction of the Supreme Court, a curfew has been imposed in Puri – as the chariots carrying the ancient idols of the Hindu deities will be proceeding towards the Sri Gunducha Temple. There, the chariots are stopped and the deities are placed inside the Sri Gunducha Temple – where the gods are said to have rested for seven days.
In light of the pandemic, residents of the region have been asked to pray at home and light earthen lamps on their porches, terraces, and balconies to mark their participation in the Rath Yatra.
Usually, millions of people from around the world gather in Puri to witness spiritual euphoria. However, this year, the chariots are being carried to the other temple only in the presence of priests and security forces.
As per visuals obtained by Sputnik from the Jagannath Temple authorities, priests can be seen standing on the outer fronts of the chariots, ringing bells and chanting Sanskrit mantras to begin the auspicious festivities this year.
Visuals obtained by @SputnikInt – the presence of priests and police officials, the grand Rath Yatra for Lord Jagannath commences in Puri. pic.twitter.com/0neFWSlZb6
— Radhika Parashar (@_RadhikaReports) July 12, 2021
Obtained by @SputnikInt The roads from where the chariots carrying the idols of Hindu deities will proceed are being washed.
As is noticeable – only some people on the streets.. pic.twitter.com/9ngLOiz0nC
— Radhika Parashar (@_RadhikaReports) July 12, 2021
A police official from the Town Hall station of Puri said that security personnel have been deployed around the city to make sure that emotional devotees do not break COVID protocols and risk lives in the process.
Presently, prayer ceremonies are underway to bless the chariots that will carry the deities — and the pulling of the chariots towards the next temple will begin later in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind have extended greetings to the citizens of the country, marking the auspicious day.
Greetings to everyone on the special occasion of the Rath Yatra. We bow to Lord Jagannath and pray that his blessings bring good health and prosperity in everyone’s lives. Jai Jagannath!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 12, 2021
भगवान जगन्नाथ की रथ यात्रा के शुभ अवसर पर सभी देशवासियों, विशेष रूप से ओडिशा में सभी श्रद्धालुओं को मेरी हार्दिक बधाई एवं शुभकामनाएं। मैं कामना करता हूँ कि प्रभु जगन्नाथ के आशीर्वाद से सभी देशवासियों का जीवन सुख, समृद्धि और स्वास्थ्य से परिपूर्ण बना रहे।
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 12, 2021
Previously, mass gatherings for the festivals of Kumbh Mela and Ganga Dussera resulted in a major COVID outbreak among attendees.
With fears of dangerous COVID variants emerging in parts of India, the authorities ensured that the massive celebration of Rath Yatra is conducted without letting devotees gather as the daily caseload has recently decreased.
