Rukuna Rath Yatra sans devotees this year; Guidelines Issued

Bhubaneswar (Reporters Today Bureau): Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued detailed guidelines for the upcoming famous Rukuna Ratha Jatra of Lord Lingaraj to be observed on April 20. It will be held this year but without the participation of devotees informed BMC today.

Senior BMC officials said that the complete festival will be celebrated with strict observation of the present Covid-19 protocols.

The move came at a consultative meeting held with stakeholders of the Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar, on Thursday on the celebration of Ashokastami car festival

As per guidelines, All Sebayats shall have to undergo mandatory RT-PCR testing before 48 hours of the day of the Car Festival and Return Car Festival. Only those Sebayats coming out negative can participate in the festival

Guidelines for the celebration of car festival, with strict adherence to the following COVID-19, are :

– No devotees will be allowed to participate in the car festival as well as return car festival

– Only Sebayats will be allowed to conduct the car festival and return car festival.

– The temple authorities to coordinate with BMC for sanitization of the chariot before putting it to use.

-Sebayats who are allowed for festivals with negative RT-PCR reports shall have to use masks during the festival and maintain social distancing as per COVID Protocol.

–  The temple authorities to ensure thermal Screening of Sebayats on daily basis before allowing them for participation and also make provision for hand sanitization.

–  Other activities like food vendors/Meena bazaars/cultural functions and other kinds are strictly prohibited as it will lead to gathering and un-hygienic environment.

– Burning of Fire Crackers during car procession or any other moments is strictly prohibited.

– Spitting during the festival and chewing of PAN /Gutkha is strictly prohibited.

– Sebayats with Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI)/Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) like symptoms shall not be allowed to participate in the festival.

– The guidelines mentioned above shall be followed scrupulously by all concerned. Any deviation will entail individual action as well as revoking this permission