Hours after the Supreme Court on Monday indicated that it would allow the Lord Jagannath Yatra in Odisha, a complete shutdown has been announced in Pu

Odisha: Puri shut down for 40 hours after SC allows Jagannath Rath Yatra

submited by

Super Jumper

2020-06-22 15:04:03

Hours after the Supreme Court on Monday indicated that it would allow the Lord Jagannath Yatra in Odisha, a complete shutdown has been announced in Puri.

The temple town of Puri will remain under shutdown from 9 pm today till 2 pm on Wednesday. Curfew-like restrictions have been imposed in the city to ensure the Rath Yatra is conducted safely.

The Odisha government is working on a war-footing to prepare for the event, which is scheduled to start tomorrow. Only a limited number of priests will be allowed to take part in the Rath Yatra.

The Puri municipal authorities have also asked all street vendors to vacate the Grand Road (Bada Danda) by Monday evening so that chariots can be pulled on Tuesday.

With the Supreme Court indicating its nod to the historic Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra at Puri, the Odisha government on Monday activated its administrative machinery on a war-footing for smooth conduct of the annual festival to be held on June 23.

After the Supreme Court decision, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik held a virtual meeting with local authorities to ensure all preparations are made to conduct the event while keeping in mind coronavirus regulations.