Puri: The annual Chandan Yatra of Lord Jagannath will be observed at Narendra Pushkarini on May 15 amid strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols, informed Puri Collector Samarth Verma.
While public gathering has been banned, only 50-60 participants will be allowed at the pond, the Collector added.
He further stated that those participating in the festival will have to undergo RT-PCR tests before 72 hours. Only those servitors, who will test negative, would be allowed to perform the rituals.
An SOP in this regard will be issued after the Chhattisa Nijog meeting today, he said.
Chandan Yatra, which is observed on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, is a major festival in the run-up to Rath Yatra, which will be held on July 12. Chandan Yatra, an annual summer water sport or voyage of the deities, is traditionally performed in Narendra pond, about 500 metres from the Jagannath Temple.
