The Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra, one of India's most famous religious festivals, went underway in Puri, Odisha on June 23 without devotees due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The world's largest chariot festival sees devotees taking three Hindu gods - Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra - out of their home temple in a colourful procession to another temple.

Millions of devotees usually gather every year but this year the Supreme Court allowed local authorities to hold the festival with a maximum of 500 people pulling each of the chariots.

The Odisha government also imposed a 41-hour curfew in town of Puri, which will end on Wednesday at 2 pm.

As per legend, the deities come out of their abode annually to give darshan (viewings) to all devotees, irrespective of caste, creed and religion.

The world famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Odisha Puri began on 23rr June without devotees . Usually every year lakhs of devotees gather here but in view of the coronavirus pandemic devotees are not allowed . The Supreme Court of India gave nod to the annual ritual. Court allowed to hold the festival with restrictions in the wake of coronavirus pandemic and said only 500 people shall pull each of the chariots.
There is curfew across Puri till 2 PM . All the priests and people who took part in it underwent covid test . Only those were allowed to participate who tested negative
The 45-feet high Nandighosh, the chariot of Lord Jagannath, stood with 16 huge wooden wheels and Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhawaja is 44-feet high with 14 wheels. Devi Subhadra’s chariot, Darpadalan, is 43-feet high with 12 wheels