Rath Yatra 2020 turned out to be a different affair - one with uncertainties, confusions and a whole lot of controversies. The humungous chariots were made; preparations went on after a nod from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on May 7; the State as well as the devotees were waiting with bated breath for a resolution even as the decision to organize Rath Yatra, which is a huge congregational event with close to 4 Crore people gathering at the Bada Danda (Grand Road) for a glimpse of the sibling deities, was oscillating between the Centre and the State.
Finally, after more than two months of deliberation and applying a ‘wait-and-watch’ policy, on June 18 – less than week before the festival - the Supreme Court stayed the Chariot Festival citing huge risks because of unavoidable congregation and gathering in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. The SC's decision led to protests and call for a review on the judgment. Finally, Puri Gajapati King Dibyasingh Deb asked Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to move the Supreme Court for a modification on the cancellation of Rath Yatra. On June 22, just a day before the festival, the Apex Court allowed Rath Yatra to be organised in an extremely restrictive manner, in Puri only, without devotees.
So, this year, there wouldn't be any devotees pulling the chariots or gathering in a huge congregation on the Bada Danda (Grand Road) for a glimpse of the sibling deities. This year, Snana Purnima was held without devotees, marking a huge historical departure. The entire ritual was telecast Live on TV by the Information & Public Relations (I&PR) Department. Amidst such historic uncertainty, it is clear that the Bada Danda on June 23 will not hear reverberation of ‘Jay Jagannath’ in the absence of devotees, thanks to the pandemic and increase in cases from Puri as well.
What Happened?
For close to two months, the administration was in a flux over holding the Chariot Festival this year in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. The uncertainty that began in April continued for days even as the Centre refused to come into the matter and left the decision to the State Government. Puri Gajapati King Dibyasingh Deb held meetings with the temple management committee, officials of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and also held consultations with the Puri Shankaracharya. It was clear that there could not be any changes in the rituals associated with Rath Yatra. However, the Puri Shankaracharya suggested a change in the venue of conducting the rituals. Certain rituals that were done in public view were moved to the premises of the temple, inside the Meghnad Pacheri (boundary wall) in view of the social distancing protocols and lockdown scenario. The administration decided to wait for revised COVID-19 guidelines before taking a decision on conducting the grand spectacle that is one of the biggest crowd-pulling event in the world.
No Rath Yatra 2020!!
For the first time in more than 250 years, the possibility of conducting Rath Yatra seemed low amid extending lockdown and rising number of cases in the State. It was almost certain that holding Rath Yatra this year in the midst of a pandemic would be a risky affair.
The construction of the chariot was delayed till the end of the second phase of nationwide lockdown and took off only after approval from the MHA. However, the MHA asked the Government to ensure no congregation takes place at the Ratha Khala (venue of chariot construction). The Gajapati and the servitors reiterated that construction of the chariot was NOT a go-ahead for the festival. In case of cancellation, the wood used in chariot-making could be used as fuel in the temple kitchen. As such, many organizations in the State had moved the Apex Court seeking a stay on Rath Yatra warning of disastrous consequences because of continuous rise in cases across Odisha.
What does History Say?
Speculations began in the State over cancellation of Rath Yatra for the first time even though historical records show that the Chariot festival was cancelled many times before owing to invasions and attacks on the temple. Rath Yatra wasn’t held for 9 years after the infamous invader Kalapahad attacked the temple. The idols of the deities were moved to secret locations innumerable times because of attacks over the centuries and hence, Rath Yatra was not held in that time period. But, never before in history had the festival been cancelled because of a pandemic. Rath Yatra was held even during the Great Famine of 1766 and the Cholera Outbreak despite millions losing their lives because of the disease.
Darshan on Live TV
Regardless of the final decision, the Government gave a go-ahead to holding certain rituals. Beginning with Akshaya Tritiya that marks the commencement of chariot-making, many of the rituals preceding Rath Yatra were held away from the public view, inside the temple boundary. It was decided that devotees will not be witnessing any rituals but instead will be watching it on TV. Hence, the Snana Purnima rituals were telecast Live on TV while section 144 CrPC was imposed on Bada Danda to prevent any congregation of devotees. Soon after the end of Lockdown 4.0, the State Government and the temple administration held a video conference. Early this month, the SJTA was planning on holding Rath Yatra without devotees.
Covid Testing for Sebayats
Over 80 carpenters (Maharana and Bhoi sevaks) were working on war footing to complete construction of the three chariots after undergoing Covid tests. The Sebayats who were to perform the rituals underwent COVID-19 tests before Snana Purnima rituals in a phased manner. These included the Daitapatis and Nijogs as well. Around 500 servitors have been subjected to COVID screening. Only those servitors who cleared the tests were allowed to partake in the rituals. Additionally, the SJTA had made provisions to provide homeopathy medicines to servitors in order to boost their immunity following a recommendation by the ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha & Homeopathy (AYUSH).
So, What Now?
COVID -19 fear has led to ban on any kind of congregation. The State Government ordered closure of Srimandir till July 5 while other religious places in the State shall remain closed till June 30. Odisha has been witnessing a continuous surge in cases over a short duration (more than 4000 in just two weeks!) and risking any kind of congregation is not advisable at the moment. Though access of devotees to the chariots could have been banned, the administration still needs a large number of police personnel, administrative officers and servitors to pull the chariots. Deploying platoons of police force to pull chariots could pose a hindrance to lockdown enforcement elsewhere in Puri. Hence, the Odisha High Court had suggested using elephants or machinery to pull the chariots instead of getting tens & thousands of people to pull those, putting them at risk of infection. However, that was not acceptable to the servitors.
The Supreme Court’s Stay order evoked mixed reactions and a host of review petitions followed. Regardless of the whole connundrum, this will be the first time in over 400 years of Puri’s history that Lord Jagannath will not be giving His darshan at that one time in a year when devotees of all caste, creed & religion get to see Him.
Comments