Corona Lockdown: Rukuna Ratha Jatra Suspended

Bhubaneswar (Reporters Today Bureau): The Hindu deities are not exempted from the hazardous Coronavirus as the age-old tradition of Rukuna Ratha Jatra of Lord Lingaraj has been suspended this year.

In view of nationwide lockdown against rapid spread of the novel disease, the Lingaraj Temple administration decided not to hold the annual Rath Jatra of Lingaraj on the holy occasion of Ashokashtami that falls on April 1.

In this regard, Khordha District Magistrate Sitanshu Kumar Rout, who is the Chairperson of Shree Lingaraj Temple Trust Board, has informed the chiefs of servitor communities at a meeting yesterday in Bhubaneswar.

Source said that as per the lockdown guidelines, no religious programme could be held during this period and the temple administration has made it clear that it cannot take any risk to conduct Rukuna Ratha festival this year.