By Our Correspondent
PURI/BHUBANESWAR: With Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik missing no stone unturned to check the spread of COVID-19 outbreak, Shri Jagannath Temple Administration led by able IAS officer Dr Krishna Kumar too making all out effort to implement it in the run up to the World famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his Siblings slated for July.
Development Administrator of SJTA Ajay Kumar Jena on Saturday said that all servitors engaged in Snana Purnima ritual(Bathing Ceremony) of Lord Jagannath and his siblings will be tested for COVID-19. Jena said the dates for collecting their swab samples for COVID-19 will be announced before Snana Purnima. He said that Garabadu Nijog plays a vital role in the Snana Purnima rituals as it helps the Lords to take bath using 108 pots of water.
The development administrator of temple administration said on May 15 members of Daitapati Nijog on COVID-19 were sensitized.Puri ADM Binay Das said: “All members and office bearers of Garabadu Nijog were present today in the awareness meeting on COVID-19. They were sensitized on precautions to be taken against COVID-19 and how at the same time they will conduct the rituals of the Lords”.
Jena said all the 189 sevayats who were tested for COVID-19 earlier have tested negative for the killer disease. He told reporters on the preparations for the Rath Yatra.
Madhab Chandra Mohapatra, Garabadu sevayat, said a list of names of 108 Garabadu sevayats will be submitted to the administration within two days. Mohapatra said the sensitization progamme was very helpful and they are thankful to state government and SJTA for such an act.
Meanwhile, uncertainty looms large over the famous Rath Yatra, this year. With just 30 more days for Puri Ratha Yatra and 17 more COVID19 positive cases in Puri district in last 24 hours can be major cause for concern.
There is still a lot of confusion as to whether the Rath Yatra will be held or not. A lot of suspense still surrounds the Yatra as to how it will be conducted according to the COVID19 guidelines.It may be noted here that for the first time in recorded history, Chandan Yatra and Rath log purification ‘anukula’ ceremonies had been conducted inside the temple premises.
The Deva Snana Purnima which is scheduled to be held on June 5 will be done by limited number of servitors, the names of whom will be decided and published on May 25.The new guidelines will however be published after the lockdown 4.0 ends. The State Government shall finally decide whether the world famous Yatra will finally be held or not.
