The Holy city of Puri in Odisha is all set to hold devotee-less Rath Yatra on Monday. 

This will be for the second time that the Rath Yatra in Puri will be devotee-less due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The Rath Yatra will be organised with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols, the Jagannath Temple authorities said. 

The Jagannath Temple authorities have informed that only those ‘servitors’ who have tested COVID-19 negative would be allowed to pull the chariots. 

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“There will be no devotees. COVID-19 negative chariot pullers will be allowed to attend the Rath Yatra,” informed Jagannath Temple authorities. 

Around 3000 ‘servitors’ and 1000 temple officials will take part in the Rath Yatra at Puri in Odisha. 

Ratha Yatra is a Hindu festival associated with Lord Jagannath, held every year at Puri in Odisha. 

The festival commemorates Jagannath’s annual visit to Gundicha Temple via Mausi Maa Temple near Saradha Bali in Puri. 

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PM Narendra Modi wished people on the occasion of Rath Yatra. He said: “Greetings to everyone on the special occasion of the Rath Yatra. We bow to Lord Jagannath and pray that his blessings bring good health and prosperity in everyone’s lives. Jai Jagannath!”