Puri Gajapati Hopeful Of Modification In SC’s Rath Yatra Order

Puri: Amid uncertainty over the conduct of Ratha Yatra, a meeting of the Chhatisa Nijoga and Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee was held in the presence of Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb on Friday.

Gajapati Maharaja said after the meeting that they are hopeful of partial modification in the Supreme Court’s order as fresh petitions in this regard were filed today.

Deb, who is also the Chairman of the Jagannath Temple Managing Committee added that they (the Committee) will request State Government to pray the Supreme Court to review its orders.

He further said it was told before the court that 10-12 lakh people are likely to congregate during the festival and the order was based on that. “But our plan was to hold the rituals without any devotees which was not presented before the court,” he added.

Chhatis Nijog will discuss alternate rituals of the Rath Yatra inside the temple on Saturday and Sunday in case the Supreme Court order remains unchanged on Monday.