Jai Shree Jagannath - SC Green signal to Jagannath Yatra

Supreme Court allows Jagannath Yatra with restrictions.

Supreme court provided green signal to organize Jagannath Yatra. The Supreme Court on Monday gave a green signal to Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee to organise the annual Rath Yatra despite a coronavirus outbreak. As per the SC order, the temple committee will organize the yatra in coordination with state and central governments, without compromising the safety and health of the participants. No public participation will be allowed in the yatra.

Jagannath Yatra is tradition since centuries. Jagannath yatra is being carried out every year since centuries. It is a yatra of Lord Jagannath. In this Lord Jagannath visits the entire city of Puri. Every year millions of people from many places around world visit Puri, Odisha to see Jagannath Yatra and take blessings of Lord Jagannath

Justice Arun Mishra headed 3 judge bench to deliver this verdict.This comes as relief and belief for believers of God Jagannath. 

Earlier on June 18, the SC had stayed this year’s Puri Rath Yatra due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But on Centre and Odisha government's appeal, Chief Justice SA Bobde had agreed to set up a three-judge bench which heard the matter on Monday.

Without public participation now Jagannath Yatra can be carried out. In the view of Covid-19, to avoid transmission of corona virus, public participation is not allowed. As tradition of centuries may not be stopped so the Odisha government also supported the Centre in apex court.

"It is a matter of faith for crores. If Lord Jagannath will not come out tomorrow, he cannot come out for 12 years as per traditions," said Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

Tushar Mehta said that besides maintaining precautions, the state government can impose curfew for a day.

"All 'sebayats' and 'pandas' who have tested negative (for COVID-19) can participate in rituals as may be decided by HH Shri Shankaracharya. People may not congregate and seek blessings on TV during live telecast. Raja of Puri and the temple committee may supervise arrangements of these rituals," Mehta told the bench.