Non-servitors climb atop chariots during Puri Rath Yatra; pictures and videos go viral

Question mark has been raised over the security arrangement during the world-famous Rath Yatra in Puri as non-servitors were allegedly found climbing atop the chariots of the Holy Trinity.

Some pictures and videos of the non-servitors climbing atop the chariots of Lord Jagannath and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra have gone viral on various social media platforms.

In the videos and pictures, it is found that many non-servitors are moving freely atop the chariots. They are seen standing very close to the deities. Some of them were seen giving different photo poses, touching and embracing the deities. They were also making reels atop the chariots and posting them on various social media platforms.

Though Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) had made strict guidelines not to allow any non-servitors to climb the chariots during Rath Yatra, the presence of many non-servitors atop has raised question marks over the implementation of such rules and the intention of the administration.

Such an incident has also raised question marks over the security arrangements during Rath Yatra. Though hundreds of security personnel were present near the chariots, it’s baffling how the non-servitors managed to climb the chariots.

However, the servitors say that there is nothing to be worried about as the matter is not that much serious.

“Some of the associates of the servitors are allowed to climb atop the chariots during Rath Yatra. They used to help Daitapatis and other servitors in different ways. Even during Covid time, they were allowed to climb the chariots. There is nothing to get worried about the matter,” said senior servitor Binayak Das Mohapatra.