The Rath Yatra was celebrated in Tripura in a muted manner. The divine siblings – Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra – went to their aunt’s house in cars instead of traditional Chariots. Of course, with no Chariot, there was almost no participation large-scale participation of devotees to pull the strings – considered to be auspicious – of the Chariots.

It was for second successive year that Rath Yatra was observed without its usual éclat and melas due to ongoing Covid19 pandemic.

Instead of traditional and colourful chariots, Lord Jagannath and his siblings travelled to their aunt’s house in different types of small vehicles sans usual flamboyance and fanfare. Moreover, devotees were not allowed in numbers to witness Lord’s annual Yatra to his aunt’s house – known as Gundicha Bhawan.

The Rath Yatra in Melaghar is famous. Every year Rath Yatra in Melaghar used to attract thousands of devotees from different areas. Usually, the height of the chariot increased to 58 ft. This is the tallest chariot in the Northeastern Region.

“Since 1965, the height of the chariot has continued to increase till 2019. Two years ago, it was 54 ft tall. But due to covid pandemic, height of the Rath was reduced to 5ft only in 2020. We expected that Covid19 will vanish and this year we would be allowed to construct a 54 ft tall Rath in 2021. However, contrary to our anticipation, Covid continues to ravage us and the height of the Rath remains at 5 ft in 2021 also”, said one of the Melaghar residents.

Local sources said, as per the religious guidelines, the strings of the Rath were formally pulled before 7.22 am today in Melaghar. Like previous Covid ridden year, this year also sacred stone, Shalgram Shila, travelled in the Rath from Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Bhawan while the idols of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balaram were taken to the Bhawan in cars.

Due to strict Covid restrictions, there were no makeshift shops, hustle bustle of revellers and rush to pull the strings of the Rath. Even during 1980 ethnic clashes, Rath Yatra was observed with usual éclat – however, Covid pandemic broke the long tradition of colourful Rath Yatra in Melaghar.

Under the directives of All India Chaitanya Gauriya Math Samiti, Rath Yatra was observed in a low key manner at Agartala Jagannath Jew Mandir. Authorities of the Temple said, devotees were not allowed to enter temple premises. The Sevayets conducted the rituals of Ratha Yatra inside the temple premises.

ISKCON in Agartala celebrated Rath Yatra in Agartala this year without any elaboration.

A small section of devotees gathered at ISKCON temple as Sevayets brought the idols of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra out of the temple. Due to Covid restrictions, instead of the usual chariots, the ISKCON authority this time used cars to avoid gathering.

‘Pahandi Vidhi’, a symbolic ritual of cleaning the way for the ‘raths’ (chariots) is performed amid low-key gatherings in the temple. Hymns were chanted and music played with traditional drums in the temple.

At Santirbazar, Lord Jagannath and his divine siblings, amid the COVID-19 restrictions, gave the hand-pulled chariot a miss this time and instead they travelled in a cavalcade of TomToms – a motor operated three-wheeler vehicle, covering a distance of two kilometres from Ramthakur Ashram to Chauddadevata (14 gods) Mandir adjacent to Santirbazar police station on Monday.

Last year also instead of Rath, Lord Jagannath and his siblings travelled through Auto rickshaws due to the Covid pandemic induced restrictions.

Participation of devotees was restricted due to the COVID pandemic this year.

Meanwhile, Rath Yatra at Baikhora ISKCON temple was also a low key affair. Lord Jagannath and his siblings travelled around the temple due to Covid restrictions.

In Teliamura, Rath Yatra was observed adhering to strict Covid19 protocols. In presence of a handful of devotees, rituals prior to Rath Yatra were performed at Shree Krishna Chaitanya Ashram. Later, idols of Lord Jagannath and his divine siblings were placed in chariots and the chariots were pulled up to the main gate of the Temple. Later, the idols were shifted into Tom Toms and wheeled away to local Shivbari temple. After 7 days, the idols will be taken back to Shree Krishna Chaitanya Ashram.