In a bid to prevent congregation of devotees in and around the Baladevjew temple, the Kendrapara district administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC for the smooth conduct of SnanaYatra (divine bathing rituals of the holy trinity) today.
The prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC outside the temple premises and RathDanda will remain in force from 7 pm of Wednesday till 6 am of June 26.
“The restriction will continue till June 26. Unauthorised persons will not be allowed in and around the temple during the period. Violators will be strictly dealt with,” said Sub-collector Niranjan Behera.
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In view of the Covid pandemic, decision has been taken to conduct the ceremonial bath of Lord Jagannath and his siblings without public participation to prevent the spread of infection, said Behera.
Similarly, Ratha Yatra will be organised inside the Baladevjew temple premises with no public participation like last year.
Meanwhile, the district administration held a meeting with Baladevjew temple servitors about the observance of all rituals of Ratha Yatra in compliance with the Covid guidelines. The servitors have agreed to the proposal.
Earlier, a petition was filed in the Orissa High Court seeking permission for conducting the Rath Yatra of SidhhaBaladevjew in Kendrapara in the lines of the festival at Puri Shree Jagannath Temple.
Five servitors of the SidhhaBaladevjew temple had filed a public interest litigation before the State's apex court while praying it to allow the conduct of the annual festival with participation of only sevayats under strict adherence to Covid protocols.
(Edited By Ramakanta Biswas)