Kendrapara: With district collector Samarth Verma issuing an order to the Baldevjew temple trust asking the authorities to halt the Rath Yatra this year, several alternate means of observing the grand festival inside the temple premises are under consideration.
A senior priest suggested that the ‘Jhulan House’ can be transformed into deities’ ‘adap mandap’ in Mausi Maa temple. Similarly the bathing altar (snana bedi) can be used as a miniature substitute for the chariot.
Since the collector has allowed authorities to go carry on with the rituals inside the temple premises, discussions are on to find out a way to observe the event.
Balabhadri Patri, executive officer, Baldevjew temple trust, said the construction of the chariot was left mid- way after receiving the order from the collector. “Opinions of royal priest and Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati will be sought on the matter,” he said.
Verma had observed that the coronavirus situation in the district is critical. With more than 35,000 people returning to the district from different parts of the country, he is not willing to risk any public gathering.
“Had Rath Yatra been held, the sentiments of the people could have not been contained and their participation would definitely have resulted in massive violation of social distancing norms and other guidelines,” Verma stated.
Along with the Baldevjew temple, three temples in Rajnagar block, three in Garadpur, two in Pattamundai, and one each in Aul, Rajkanika and Derabish blocks have also cancelled the mega annual event.
PNN
