CM talks to PM on holding Puri Rath Yatra, Gajapati Maharaj says decision after May 3

With uncertainty looming over Lord Jagannath's annual Rath Yatra in Puri this year, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed the difficulties that could arise in organising the centuries-old event amid the lockdown.

"The chief minister spoke to the prime minister over phone Friday morning and discussed about organising the Rath Yatra," a source in the Chief Minister's Office told PTI. "They discussed how to maintain social distance when a large number people will gather in the pilgrim town for the festival."
The managing committee will again meet after the Centre issues fresh guidelines after the lockdown ends, he said. "We appeal to both the governments to frame such a guideline that the rituals are carried out as per the tradition while maintaining the public health order."