"Hope God'll Allow Next Time": Supreme Court Says Rath Yatra In Puri Only

The centre had also wanted Rath Yatras to be held at places in Odisha, but a Supreme Court led by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana dismissed the petitions, and said: "We hope and trust God will allow the Rath Yatra next time."

Amid concerns that mass gatherings could spark a third wave of Covid infections, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said that this year the Rath Yatra could only be held at Odisha's Puri Jagannath Temple and not at other places in the state. The top court was hearing a batch of petitions by individuals and groups, including the Odisha Vikas Parishad, challenging the Odisha government's decision to cancel the Rath Yatra (except the Puri Jagannath Temple edition) because of the pandemic. The central government had also wanted Rath Yatras to be held at places in the state. Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said this could be done without upsetting health protocols. However, a bench led by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana dismissed all the petitions; the Chief Justice said: "We hope and trust God will allow the Rath Yatra next time."