2021 PURI RATH YATRA TO BE HELD ON JULY 12 - DETAILS INSIDE

All those, including servitors who will be involved in the rituals, will have to undergo RT-PCR tests or complete two doses of COVID-19 vaccines, as per the apex temple body of servitors Chhatisa Nijog.

Devotees will not be allowed for all temple event amid fears of triggering the spread of coronavirus. Only servitors and temple officials will partake the rituals. Nobody would be allowed to gather on the Grand Road near the Temple. Prohibitory order under Section 144 of CRPC will be imposed around the temple on Snan Yatra, the bathing festival of the deities of The trinity Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra - Puri district magistrate-cum collector Samarth Verma.

Jagannath temple would be open for a public visit on July 25, authorities said on Wednesday. The decision was taken at a meeting of the SJTA, chief administrator Krishan Kumar had said.

Schedule of Puri Temple rituals :

• Snan Purnima on June 24, will start with the Pahandi (walking procession of the deities) at 1 am and end by 4 am.
• Chhera Pahanra (sweeping of the bathing place) by Dibyasingh Deb, the titular king of Puri at 10.30 am.
• Deities will later be adorned with Gajanan Besha or Hati Besha (elephant attire) between 11.00 am and 12 noon.
• The trinity of deities will be taken to the Anasara Ghar (sick room) after taking the bath.
• Return procession of the deities from the bathing pandal to the sick room to take place from 5 pm-8 pm.
• Anasara rituals to continue for the next 15 days.
• Rath Yatra procession will start at 8:30 am, chariot pulling will begin at 4 pm on July 12.
• Lords Suna Besha (golden attire) will be held between 4 pm-11 pm on July 21.
• Niladri Bijee, the return of the trinity to the main temple, will be held on July 23. The procession will start at 4 pm and end at 10 pm.