New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a large number of requests looking for permission for Rath Yatra in many Jagannath temples who were famous in Odisha while approving the state government that this year’s Chariot Festival will be held under Covid norms that are strictly only in Puri and elsewhere in the state.
There is an application for permission to hold a centuries train festival in the popular Jagannath Temple in Bararding, Nilagiri in Balalasore and ‘Shabara Sreekhetra’ in Coraput.
Appearing to the Petitioner, Advocate Jitendra Mohapatra argues before the Chairman of the Chief Judge NV Ramana, and the Judge as Bopanna and Hrishikesh Roy that while 149 places around the world will celebrate the annual Rath Yatra, Odias will be deprived of their most important religion festivals.
Advocate Odisha General Ashok Parija said Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra, which involves pulling three trains – Nandighosha 16-wheel Lord Jagannatha, Taladhwaja Wheels 14 Lord Baabhadra and Darpadalana Wheeled 12 of Goddess Subhadra – will be held with strict norms.
enforced last year by SC.
Limitation includes 500 sevayats involvement, which will be tested for Covid, curfew in the city and closing of the city limits for the entry of visitors.
“Such restrictions cannot be implemented in thousands of temples in Odisha where Rath Yatra takes place every year,” said Parija.
He said that the state government had given the order that all rituals in the temples of other Jagannath would be carried out at the temple without attracting trains.
Appearing for the United States Government, Selikitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that Jagannatha Temple could be allowed to hold Symbolic Rath Yatras to meet rituals without public collection.
When the advocates pressed the permission to hold Rath Yatras, Cji said, “I am also a worshiper of God Jagannatha.
I want to visit the castle.
But, for the past half a year, I pray from a distance because of the situation caused by Covid.
If the meeting is permitted as long as RATH Yatras in all Jagannatha temples, the worshipers can be infected by Covid.
We cannot take risks and put a lot of life in danger.
It is better to watch Rath Yatra on television and pray from a distance.
“We understand the sentiments of worshipers and their desires for Hold Rath Yatra.
But, we are not an expert.
The Odisha Government has made a decision to allow Rath Yatra in Puri.
Let the state government feel safer, “LED bench CJI.