OdishaPlus Bureau
- 148 Maharana Sevayats, Kamara Sevayats and Bhoi Sevayats engaged in Rath construction activity
- Food and lodging of Sevayats arranged at Nilachal Bhakta Nivas Guest House
- Separate bus provided to ferry Sevayats from Guest House to Bada Danda
- Hand sanitizers and Hand Wash use prescribed for everyone engaged in Construction activity
Face masks on, the various Sevayats armed with their axes, saws and chisels are working on construction of chariots for the world famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Puri. The administration is taking various safety measures for the sevayats engaged in chariot construction during the time of Coronavirus. The authorities also advise on precaution and awareness to be safe from the coronavirus.
Due to the COVID situation in the nation and in Odisha, the construction of chariots for Rath Yatra has been delayed by almost a fortnight. The Maharana, Kamara and Bhoi Sevayats have been fully engaged in the construction work owing to delay in starting the work by the traditional day of Akshay Tritiya. To avoid the spread of coronavirus, the Rath construction site is enclosed, entry of general public is restricted and Sevayats are being kept securely in the Nilachal Bhakta Nivas Guest House by the Puri District Administration.
All 148 Maharana Sevayats and Bhoi Sevayats are being provided food and lodging inside the Nilachal Bhakta Nivas Guest House. To facilitate their journey from the guest house to the chariot construction site, separate buses have been provided to ensure safety of the Sevayats.
Sevayats are further screened using thermal guns while entering and exiting the chariot construction site. They are also advised to use hand sanitizer and hand wash to wash and sanitize their hands thoroughly. To enforce social distancing, the Sevayats have been advised to stay 1 meter apart from each other while working. The Maharanas and Bhoi Sevayats have been doing the construction job since many years. Yet, due to the COVID protocol in effect, this year is a bit different for their. From not being able to go back to their family everyday to staying in the Nilachal Bhakta Nivas Guest House till the construction finishes, these Sevayats cannot go anywhere else. Nonetheless, the Sevayats are happy to be rendering their labour for the Lord’s work.
The Rath Yatra is said to start by the day of Devasnana Purnima. There are 6 key events of Rath Yatra which include Devasnana Purnima, Rath Yatra, Bahuda Yatra, Suna Besha, Adhara Niti and Niladri Bije. This year uncertainty clouds the Rath Yatra. The construction of chariots which should begin by the traditionally fixed day of Akshay Tritiya was delayed by almost fourteen days.
It was unsure whether the state government will allow for construction of chariots to even begin in the first place. Then the state government consulted the centre and the centre allowed for the construction to begin with safety measures and precautions in place. Even the wood for chariot construction which is usually kept at the Grand Road of Puri was kept inside the Shree Jagannath Temple premises for a while. Still, it is unclear whether the Rath Yatra will be celebrated this year or not.
Puri was marked in the Green zone after one COVID affected was identified and subsequently cured. The state government allowed for construction to begin because of that. After two more cases of Coronavirus were detected on 4th May, Puri has been moved to the Orange zone. Hence the question arises whether Odisha will be organizing the Rath Yatra this year? If so how and what will be the arrangements of the same?
During Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath along with his sibling deities Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra leave the temple and come outside for their devotees to have a glimpse of them. The Rath Yatra and the Suna Besha or bejeweled golden attire of the Holy Trinity of Lord Jagannath and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra attracts maximum devotees and pilgrims out of the six key events.
Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath at Puri, Odisha is one of the biggest religious and social events of the world. After Tirupati Temple in South India, the Shree Jagannath temple in Puri, Odisha is the second biggest pilgrimage hub in India. Puri is considered to be one among the ‘Char Dhams’ or four key religious places according to the scriptures. The Rath Yatra sees national and international devotees and footfall to the tune of 50 to 60 lakh people each year.