Devotees allowed to witness Lord Jagannath bathing ritual in Puri after 2-yr gap

Puri, May 19 (PTI) Devotees, after a gap of two years, will get to witness the ceremonial bathing ritual of Lord Jagannath and his sibling deities on June 14 outside the 12th century shrine here.

The decision to allow public participation at ‘Snana Jatra’ was taken by Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, following its meeting with servitors.

Last two years, devotees were denied the permission to congregate at ‘Snana Jatra', amid the rise in COVID-19 cases.

"This time, however, the devotees will be able to get a glimpse (darshan) of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Lord Sudarshan and Devi Subhadra and the bathing altar on June 14 from Grand Road. Deities will be adorning 'Hati Bhesa' (elephant attire) on the same day," said SJTA official Durga Dash Mohapatra.

The SJTA, however, was yet to take a call on devotee participation at Ratha Jatra on July 1.