India News | Rath Yatra at Odisha's Biraja Starts Sans Devotees Due to COVID-19

Jajpur (Odisha) [India], October 7 (ANI): Ahead of Navratri, the nine-day Rath Yatra at Biraja Temple in Jajpur, Odisha started on Wednesday following COVID-19 protocols.

Chakravarti Singh Rathore, District Magistrate of Jajpur told ANI, "Due to COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to make a balance between life and the faith of people. We held a meeting with the stakeholders, public and officers. For Navratri, people can visit the temple for darshans between 5 am to 1 pm. For Rath Yatra, people can see at a distance but are not allowed to participate in the Yatra."

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Rama Chandra Pani, a priest, said, "Every year we participate in the Rath Yatra in Jajpur, but due to the restrictions imposed by the administration in the wake of COVID-19, people are not allowed to participate. Darshans are allowed in the temple, as Navratri begins."

Balavadra Das, a devotee, said, "I appreciate the decision taken by the administration. We should adhere to the COVID-19 norms."

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The festival of Navratri will be observed from October 7 till October 15. This year Ashtami falls on October 13 while Dashami is on October 15. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)