Ahmedabad: Preparations continue as usual at Jagannath temple

AHMEDABAD: The constant chants of devotees and the usual crowds might be missing from Jagannathji Temple premises on Monday – on eve of the Rath Yatra – but for those visiting the temple for decades, it was nothing amiss in terms of preparedness.
The elephants were painted, the entire temple premises were decorated with flowers and lights and the chariots were kept ready like every year. The day was even dotted by the high-profile visits including Gujarat CM who performed the evening aarti.

In the evening, tractors were brought in to check the chariots, giving rise to the speculation that the chariots could be pulled by a vehicle instead of khalasi youth as is usual.
The temple trustee Mahendra Jha said that they were hopeful of getting a permission for carrying out the procession. “But we appeal to the devotees to maintain social distancing and follow all rules – including a possible curfew – to make it a success,” he said.
Sources close to the development said that the temple authorities even explored the possibility of a limited procession in the block of about 500-600 metres and returning to the temple, before the state government announced that they would approached the Gujarat high court to allow the procession with restrictions.
The flow of devotees was controlled right from Jamalpur Darwaza by city police to ensure that there is no crowding at the temple. The news of nod for procession at Jagannath Puri infused new vigour among the visitors who hoped that the city will also be allowed to carry out procession. “It’s after all a tradition of 142 years and just the procession with chariots with minimal persons could be a feasible option,” said a devotee.