Puri: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday declared two-day holiday – June 7 & 8 – for this year’s Rath Yatra in Odisha. The CM made the announcement while attending the final coordination meeting for the annual sojourn of the Lords of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, and directed for issuing a statutory notice on it.
“After a gap of 53 years, Rath Yatra this year is coinciding with Netra Utsav and Nabajaubana. This is a rare occasion. We feel blessed to be part of this festival, which will span over two days. Therefore, the holiday will also be extended by a day,” he said while stressing smooth and timely conduct of the rituals.
The CM further mentioned about President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Puri during Rath Yatra. “She will arrive in Puri on July 6 and will join us in pulling the chariots on June 7,” he said.
Deputy CMs – KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, and Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja attended the meeting.
According to the schedule approved by Chhattisha Nijog and the temple managing committee, Rath Yatra of the sibling deities will begin at 5 pm on July 7. The chariots will reach Gundicha temple a day later and on July 9, the three deities will be taken to the ‘Adapa Mandap’ inside the temple.
Meanwhile, 90 officers have been appointed as executive magistrates of Puri for maintaining law and order from Rath Yatra to Niladri Bije. The pilgrim town is expecting five lakh to eight lakh devotees on Rath Yatra day.