Coronavirus: Jagannath Temple servitor tests positive before Rath Yatra in Odisha
On Monday, the Supreme Court had directed that 500 people who test negative would be allowed to pull each chariot.
![Coronavirus: Jagannath Temple servitor tests positive before Rath Yatra in Odisha](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/article/143279-haqcyimueu-1592914087.jpg)
One of the traditional servitors at the Puri Jagannath Temple in Odisha tested positive for the coronavirus ahead of the annual Rath Yatra, the district administration said on Tuesday. This came a day after the Supreme Court had directed that only those who test negative would be allowed to pull the chariots and participate in the rituals.
The Puri district administration said 1,143 servitors were tested for the coronavirus on Monday. “Except one, all are found negative,” a tweet said. “Confirm case has been shifted to Covid hospital before Rath Yatra rituals, contact tracing is being done and area has been contained.”
Covid 19 Tests of 1143 Servitors were undertaken on 22.6.2020 as per hnbl Supreme Court instructions .Except one all are found negative.Confirm case has been shifted to Covid Hospital before Rath Yatra rituals , Contact tracing is being done and Area has been contained.
— PuriOfficial (@Puri_Official) June 23, 2020
Usually attended by lakhs of devotees, this year’s procession was drastically scaled down because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Supreme Court had lifted its June 18 ban on the Rath Yatra after ensuring a complete lack of public attendance for the festival to avoid spread of the infection. The court had added that the Jagannath Puri temple administration and the Odisha government, in consultation with the Centre, were entirely responsible for the safe conduct of the festival.
Pattajoshi Mohapatra, the chief servitor at the Puri Jagannath Temple, had moved the Supreme Court, saying that the procession was an “essential religious practice” protected by the Constitution of India and its cancellation would affect the holiness of the temple.
However, several videos and images from Puri showed priests standing very close together while carrying Lord Jagannath’s idol to the chariot, in clear violation of the physical distancing rule.
#LordJagannath being ushered out of the temple in Pahandi Bije. A sight for eyes and soul #RathYatra @NewIndianXpress @XpressOdisha @Biswanath_TNIE pic.twitter.com/mWsNPmu1Zz
— Siba Mohanty (@Siba_TNIE) June 23, 2020
#ନଟନାଗର_ବସିଛି, #ନନ୍ଦିଘୋଷ_ଗଡୁଛି । ଘଣ୍ଟ, ଝାଞ୍ଜ, ମୃଦଙ୍ଗ ବାଜୁଛି, ଶ୍ରୀମନ୍ଦିର ଛାଡି ଗୁଣ୍ଡିଚା ମନ୍ଦିରକୁ କାଳିଆ ଯାଉଛି ।ଆକାଶମାର୍ଗରୁ ଦେଖନ୍ତୁ ମନକୁ ଛୁଇଁବା ଭଳି ଦୃଶ୍ୟ । #KanakNews #Odisha #RathaJatra pic.twitter.com/jFcxWF8ixb
— Kanak News (@kanak_news) June 23, 2020
When the Gods come out to bless the world!
— OTV (@otvnews) June 23, 2020
Seated on their bedecked chariots, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra & Mahaprabhu Jagannath embark on annual 9-day sojourn to Mausi Maa temple.#RathYatra #RathYatra2020 #RathaJatra2020 #RathaJatra pic.twitter.com/DxRr7SGNC8
#RathYatra2020 Glimpses
— PIB in Odisha (@PIBBhubaneswar) June 23, 2020
Three Chariots of the Lord, Nandighosha, Taladhwaja and Darpadalana on the 'Badadanda', #Puri.
Jai Jagannath.. pic.twitter.com/uacoAzsDzq