2020 has been a year that few will forget in a hurry, with the COVID-19 pandemic completely changing the way people live their lives. Many major conferences and events across the world have been postponed till the situation improves.
Preparations for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, however, are on track with all the necessary precautions in place with the coronavirus lockdown having eased substantially now. The district administration as well as the temple authorities are in no mood to take any chances and the number of servitors who will be part of the ritual this year will be far lower than it is in other years; they are being allowed to be a part of the process only if they test negative for COVID-19.