Puri: This year, devotees will be allowed to touch the three chariots while paying obeisance to the Srimandir Trinity.
A decision to this effect was taken at a recent meeting of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA). However, no devotee will be allowed to climb on to the chariots and touch the deities, said an official of the SJTA.
Notably, the temple administration had prohibited devotees from touching the chariots during last year’s Rath Yatra. “Security cordons will be thrown around the three chariots during the festival. Besides, barricades will be installed around them once they reach Srigundicha temple,” said the official.
As per decisions taken at the meeting, no devotee and unauthorised person would be allowed inside the inner security cordons. “The SJTA has banned use of mobile phones and cameras on chariots. Security personnel have been told to ensure safety of devotees during the pulling of chariots,” said the SJTA official.
It is learnt that district Collector Aravind Agrawal would be in charge of Nandighosa chariot, while superintendent of police (SP) Sarthak Sarangi will manage affairs of Taladhwaj chariot. Additional Collector Bibhuti Bhusan Das would look after Darpadalan chariot, sources said.
According to sources, the SJTA has put restrictions on the entry of off-duty servitors and officials on to the chariots. “Only servitors assigned to perform rituals would be allowed on the chariots,” said a temple source.
PNN
