The Lord Jagannath rath yatra and activities connected to it will not be allowed this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Supreme Court said today. "Lord Jagannath will not forgive us if we allowed the rath yatra," Chief Justice of India SA Bobde said while hearing a petition seeking to defer the rath yatra in Odisha's Puri which is scheduled to start on June 23.
"Such gatherings can't take place at the time of the pandemic," the Supreme Court said, referring to the advice by health professionals to maintain social distancing as the highly infectious coronavirus can spread via respiratory droplets and surface contact. The risk increases in a crowded environment. The court said it cannot allow the rath yatra this year "in the interest of public health and safety of citizens".

The Lord Jagannath rath yatra and activities connected to it will not be allowed this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Supreme Court said today. "Lord Jagannath will not forgive us if we allowed the rath yatra," Chief Justice of India SA Bobde said while hearing a petition seeking to defer the rath yatra in Odisha's Puri which is scheduled to start on June 23.
"Such gatherings can't take place at the time of the pandemic," the Supreme Court said, referring to the advice by health professionals to maintain social distancing as the highly infectious coronavirus can spread via respiratory droplets and surface contact. The risk increases in a crowded environment. The court said it cannot allow the rath yatra this year "in the interest of public health and safety of citizens".