Covid-19 had nearly succeeding in stalling celebrations.
Shree
Jagannath is the highest authority and identity for Odisha and Odias. The
previous tagline of Odisha was- ‘The Soul of Incredible India’.
Mahaprabhu
Shree Jagannath is the soul of Odisha. He is the living deity, who dresses up,
eats, sleeps, and even goes for an annual journey with His siblings, that too following
set rules and centuries-old rituals and traditions.
In
emergency meeting, Odisha state cabinet decided to obey Supreme Court (SC) ban
on not holding this year’s Ratha Jatra owing to the Covid-19 pandemic and had
directed district administrations to strictly implement the SC order.
As per Govt
sources:
“The sense of the cabinet was that since SC has given primacy to life
and health and the prevailing pandemic situation where social distancing is
important, the Ratha Jatra should be avoided. It was unanimously decided to
obey the direction instead of challenging the order. One has to accept that
it’s the Lord Himself who does everything.”
Supreme Court
announced Ratha Jatra won’t be held.
People resigned
saying:
“It is God’s will. Accept it.”
“Everything happens as per His wish.”
“God can’t save.”
“Don’t put lives in danger.”
“Everything is pre-planned by Him.”
“He is saving His devotees from coronavirus.”
“When devotees are not allowed (as He wants to save them and it is His will), for whom should the Lord come out?”
“Lord Jagannath does not want to see Bada Danda without devotees.”
“It’s not Supreme Court, but the Mahaprabhu, the supreme authority, decides what’ll happen.”
Supporters
of Ratha Jatra like me wrote to the state Govt. and the Supreme Court
requesting reconsideration and favourable verdict.
Chief
Justice Of India (CJI) had said, “Lord will not forgive me.”
Harish
Salve stated about huge “crowd".
They gave
their judgment based on the facts that they were communicated that 10-12 lakhs devotees
from around the world would congregate to participate in the festival. They
assumed that crowd cannot be controlled and infections will increase. But, how
can lakhs of people assemble in such a short duration when there are no special
trains or travel convenience as in previous years?
The
petitioner Odisha Vikas Parishad is not even clear about Ratha Jatra’s duration
– for how many days it is held- “10-12 days”. They had demanded for Ratha Jatra
to be “stopped or postponed”. It certainly could not have been postponed as
there is a particular tithi – Ashadha Shukla Paksha Dwitiya- when Ratha Jatra is held
each year as per continuing tradition.
Why was the
Supreme Court dragged into this and why was wrong information communicated as
the grounds of this case?
Some
devotees, who wanted the Ratha Jatra to be held this year, took to social media
to express their disappointment. Puri was closed for 6 hours on 20th June, with
some protestors demanding Ratha Jatra celebration.
“God won’t
forgive those who have sabotaged and planned this outcome.”
Many felt
sad and vented out the
frustration amongst family and friends in closed WhatsApp groups or via
phone-calls.
I was
surprised to see this message of an advocate of Supreme Court –
“I am so
sad I will observe fast on Rath Yatra”.
Despite
having knowledge of law, instead of giving info to the ignoramuses like us
about the remedy and the next course of action even he had accepted the SC
verdict like many others.
History
When the Moghuls attacked Odisha, that time, the idols of the deities were taken to safer places and no Ratha Jatra was held at Puri as the Lord was not there. Out of the 164 years and 4 months Shree Jagannath had stayed out of the Srimandir, Ratha Jatra had been stopped for 155 years. It was held 8 times outside Puri and once inside Srimandir.
Why should we stop a continuing tradition when arrangements were being made for the past couple of months?
I always
believe- “God helps those who help themselves.”
But, it’s also
true that- “Man proposes, God disposes.”
If man does not
propose, then man is stopping the chance of getting any outcome, leave alone favourable
or unfavourable.
Not taking a
decision or action is also a decision.
Some people
pride themselves of being mature and understanding law-abiding citizens and
caring for the safety and interests.
And yet,
there are some non-understanding and non-cooperative people, whose
sentiments had been so hurt that they dared to raise such issues and voiced and
requested and demanded a review hoping for a modification in the order.
Devotees and Sebayats were unhappy.
Thankfully, many filed review
petitions in the SC against the Ratha Jatra judgment.
When God interferes, no one can stop an event from happening.
That Ratha Jatra 2020 has been conducted smoothly so far and tomorrow is the concluding day, proves the supremacy of Lord Jagannath.
Ratha Jatra 2020 has proved that celebration with restrictions is
possible.
We could never have excused ourselves for stopping our tradition.
Ratha Jatra's elaborate preparations begin on Akhyaya Tritiya each year.
This was the first time in several centuries when the situation did not permit crowds.
We devotees felt blessed to watch the LIVE telecast on TV.
There was administrative support. Curfew has been imposed in Puri city and all entry and exit points have been sealed, with extra focus on the Bada Danda, to make this celebration possible.
“Where there is a will, there is a way”.
Ratha Jatra 2020 is unique.
Police and Sebayats pulled the Rathas.
Sebayat, dressed in traditional attire, and Odisha Bandha masks, pulled the Rathas barefoot.
Triumph of Hope and Prayers
In the Bhakta, Bhagaban & Bhutanu tussle, the Bhutanu- Covid19 virus was not allowed to triumph. That would have been a wrong precedent to show the virus as winner against the majority will and hope.
Merciful Lord Jagannath listened to our prayers and decided Ratha Jatra celebration.
He directed Supreme Court to reconsider the judgment! Many are elated that the Lord has answered our prayers.
Rolling
of the Rathas has spread cheer and hope. Even a leaf can’t move without
His permission. Whatever is happening is neither Government’s will nor Supreme Court’s
imposition; it’s Shree Jagannath’s grace.
Mahaprabhu is the supreme deciding authority!
Some important dates of the Ratha Jatra celebration in 2020-
Ratha Jatra- 23rd June
Hera Panchami- 27th June
Bahuda Jatra- 1st July
Suna Besha- 2nd July
Adhara Pana- 3rd July
Niladri Bije- 4th July
We celebrate Niladri Bije as Rasagola Dibasa.
This time we will totally celebrate it online on social media. Please share posts with the hashtag-#RasagolaDibasa.
Jaga Sabu Dekhuchi! - (Shree) Jagannath is watching everything
Chaka Akhi Sabu Dekhuchi! - Round eyes (of Shree Jagannath) see everything
What is your experience with Ratha Jatra 2020? Did you watch it on TV?
