India: Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra begins in Puri amid COVID-19 — see photos

Devotees maintain social distancing while taking part in Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri. The annual festival began on Tuesday in Puri, Odisha, after the Supreme Court granted permission to hold the annual chariot festival this year in a restricted manner due the COVID-19 pandemic.

The idol of Lord Balabhadra has been brought to the chariot by priests and 'sevayats' for the Rath Yatra from Jagannath Temple in Puri. Above: Priests and devotees take part in the 'pahandi' rituals of Rath Yatra.

Priests and policemen pull the three chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balarama, and Subhadra from the construction site (Ratha Khala) to Jagannatha Temple. The Apex Court has permitted the state to hold the festival with restrictions in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. As per the order, it has allowed only 500 people to pull the chariots.

According to the police, an Additional Director General of Police is supervising the arrangements for the yatra. The pulling of every chariot is being supervised by a senior officer.

Chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Subhadra and Jagannath seen before a procession. "We have done good arrangement for Rath Yatra after Supreme Court has found a midway to perform the Yatra here where the devotees can attend it from their houses, over the televisions and their smartphone. It is the safest way to be a part of the Rath Yatra from a remote area," said a police officer.

The district administration has also ensured following of all health guidelines in the wake of COVID-19. "We will be ensuring that the participants are wearing masks and are following social distancing norms," said Balwant Singh, District Magistrate of Puri.

Priests and devotees celebrate after Supreme Court indicated it would allow the annual Rath Yatra, on Monday, June 22, 2020. The Supreme Court modified its earlier order and allowed the annual Rath Yatra to be held with the coordination of the Temple committee, State and Central government without compromising with the health issue pertaining to COVID-19.

Performing artists, priests were also seen participating in the Rath Yatra. A performing artist who was present ahead of the Ratra said, "Lord Jagannath likes to watch dance and I'm here to do the same and offer my prayers."

"We have come for the darshan of Lord Jagannath. I believe that now the corona will go away," a participating priest said.

2019 file photo: Devotees pull the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balarama and Subhadra during the annual Rath Yatra, in Puri.

Temple priests and devotees carry idols of Hindu Gods, as a symbolic gesture after the Rath Yatra procession was cancelled amid concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Kolkata.

Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani clean chariot with a gold broom as part of rituals during 143 annual Rath Yatra or chariot procession, in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

Temple trustee members sit on the chariot carrying idols of Lord Jagannath, Balaram and Goddess Subhadra inside Sri Jagannath Swamy Temple as the annual Rath Yatra procession was cancelled amid concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad on June 23, 2020.

Priests pull the silver chariot of Govind Dev ji during Rath Yatra or chariot procession inside temple premises at Thikana Mandir Shri Govinddevji Maharaj in Jaipur on Tuesday.

Devotees of ISKCON hold drums to offer prayers, puja cheers on the occasion of Rath yatra festival at ISKCON headquarter, in Kolkata on Tuesday.

Temple trustee members carry an idol of Goddess Subhadra inside Sri Jagannath Swamy Temple as the annual Rath Yatra procession was cancelled amid concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Secunderabad.

Devotees pull a "Rath" or a chariot of Lord Jagannath, inside the premises of a temple after the High Court rejected the state government's plea to carry out the procession outside of the temple during the annual Rath Yatra, or chariot procession, amidst the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Ahmedabad