Chatisha Nijoga Meeting: Only Sebayatas Will Pull Chariots During Ratha Yatra and Gundicha

Puri: The crucial Chatisha Nijoga meeting held today decided that the chariots of the Trinity will be pulled only by the Sebayatas.
It was decided that all the rituals will be held in conformity to the Covid-19 guidelines issued by the government and no devotees will be allowed.

The meeting also attended by the district administration and police officials discussed on the modalities to conduct the world famous Ratha Yatra smoothly.

While the Sebayatas will pull the chariots during the Ratha Yatra and the Bahuda Yatra, police personnel will help them during the Dakhina Moda ritual. It was also decided during the meeting that no Sebayata will be allowed to carry mobile phones during the Yatra.

The district administration will impose section 144 during the festivities and strict surveillance will be done so that no outsiders enter the town. During Ratha Yatra a limited number of Sebayatas will be allowed to climb on the chariots. No Sebayata will be allowed to stand in front of the deities.

Special arrangements will be made so that devotees can watch the rituals live through television and social media. Sebayatas are barred from taking photos or selfies on the chariots.

It was also decided that all the sebayatas, police personnel on duty and the temple administration officials will have to undergo mandatory Covid test. The administration will make arrangements for keeping six thousand liters of sanitisers and massive amounts of masks. There will be special seating arrangements for the sebayatas to rest at Singhadwara and the Gundicha Mandira. Vehicles will be provided to the Sebayatas to return from the Gundicha Temple after the Ratha Yatra.