Jagannath Rath Yatra 2020 Update: Supreme Court Stays Annual Rath Yatra on June 23 at Puri’s Jagannath Temple in Odisha

The decision to stay the historic yatra has been taken in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

File image of Supreme Court | (Photo Credits: IANS)

Guwahati, June 18: The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the annual Rath Yatra at Puri's Jagannath Temple in Odisha on June 23. The decision to not allow the historic yatra this year has been taken in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The Supreme Court said Lord Jagannath will forgive us if we stay the Rath Yatra this year. "Such gatherings can't take place at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the interest of public health and safety of citizens, Rath Yatra can't be allowed this year", the Court said.

This annual festival is celebrated on Ashadha Shukla Paksha Dwitiya (second day in bright fortnight of Ashadha (June/July) month). Several organisations in Odisha had moved the top Court seeking a stay on the possible celebration of the annual Rath Yatra at Puri's Jagannath Temple on June 23. Reports inform that religious festival had attracted a crowd of 10 lakh in 2019. Puri Rath Yatra 2020 Likely to be Held Without Devotees Amid Coronavirus Pandemic. 

Here's the tweet:

The historical Rath Yatra is organised annually by the Jagannath Temple in Puri in Odisha. Ratha Yatra, also called as the Chariot Festival, is a Hindu festival associated with Lord Jagannath. It is the oldest Ratha Yatra taking place in India and the World. The descriptions of the annual festival can be found in Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, and Skanda Purana and Kapila Samhita.

Every year, devotees from all over the world throng to Puri to help pulling the Lords' chariots. The festival marks Lord Jagannath's annual visit to Gundicha Temple via Mausi Maa Temple near Saradha Bali, Puri. However, this year, due to the spike in coronavirus cases in the country, the yatra has been stayed by the top court.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 18, 2020 01:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).

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