Rath Yatra in Puri takes place without pilgrims and devotees

The three grand chariots— Taladhwaj, Darpadalan and Nandighosh with Lord Balabhadra, sister Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath were pulled by the temple servitors accompanied by the police force in the absence of the devotees.

Each of the chariots were pulled by 500 Servitors and security personnel sans the devotees as per the direction of the Supreme Court after the Gajapati king of Puri Divya Singh Deb performed the Chherapahara (sweeping) of the chariots with a golden broom.

All the three chariots, however, reached Gundicha Temple before the scheduled time.

While Taldhawj, the Chariot of Lord Balabhadra reached Gundicha Temple at 1552 hrs, the Darpadalan carrying Devi Subhadra reached at 1611 hours and Nandighosh carrying Lord Nandighosh reached Gundicha Temple at 1720 hours.

The three chariots rolled down the 3 KM long grand road from the Lions gate in front of Shri Jagannath temple to Gundicha Temple their aunt’s house in the absence of lakhs of devotees who throng every year to witness the festival due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Bedecked with flowers and three different vibrant colours clothes-mainly red, yellow, green and black the three deities started their celestial journey at 1200hrs for a nine-day sojourn in Gundicha Temple one after another with a gap of one hour.

Lord Jagannath, known as the Lord of universe who loves to go on his annual journey surrounded by lakhs of devotees hailing from different parts of the globe was missing this time due to COVID19 pandemic and the Apex Court directive.

Crores of devotees across the world witnessed the Rathayatra on Television at their homes.

All VIPs, including the Governor, the Chief Minister, the ministers and the judges who made a beeline to witness the car festival were all absent.

Jostling of devotees irrespective of their age, sex and religion to have a glimpse of the Lord in the grand road on the chariots was not seen.

The rooftops of the buildings on both sides of the grand road which is generally occupied several hours before the celestial journey was deserted . Not a single person was seen on rooftops today to watch the Lord's journey .

The grand road which in earlier years used to be teeming with millions of devotees, who usually dance, beat drums, clash cymbals, fills the air with the slogans of Jai Jagannath, and Haribol was not seen this year.

The authorities have shut down the Pilgrim city and sealed all routes leading to Puri to prevent people coming to Puri as per the direction of the Supreme Court.