Muted celebrations held across India for 144th Jagannath Rath Yatra

The 144th Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra saw muted celebrations across the country amid the coronavirus pandemic. (PTI)

While Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren cancelled the Yatra for the second consecutive year as the coronavirus threat looms large in the state, other states like Gujarat and Odisha carried out the celebrations without public gatherings. (PTI)

In Odisha, rituals were performed without devotees in Puri, where a two-day curfew was imposed ahead of the celebrations. (PTI)

Decorated elephants were seen on the streets of Ahmedabad on the eve of the annual Yatra. The state government announced that the 19-km yatra will be taken out amid a curfew with only five vehicles, including three chariots. (PTI)

Meanwhile, in Kolkata, a carcade was used instead of a chariot this year at the annual Iskcon Rath Yatra to avoid public gatherings. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

Whereas in Navi Mumbai, the Jai Jagannath Trust organised the Rath Yatra inside the temple area at Kharghar. (Express photo by Narendra Vaskar)

The Ratha Yatra is celebrated every year to commemorate Lord Jagannath’s annual visit to Gundicha Mata temple. After resting for eight days at Gundicha temple, Lord Jagannath returns to his main abode, which is known as Bahuda Yatra. (PTI)