The much-awaited Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra, one of India’s biggest religious festivals, began today in the temple town in Odisha amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Usually, millions of devotees converge in Puri during the festivities but this year, it will be a different scenario with people watching the live telecast of the event, after the Supreme Court placed several conditions, including the imposition of a curfew in Puri during the festivities.

The Centre said the Rath Yatra can be permitted without public participation in view of the pandemic, saying the “tradition of centuries may not be stopped”. The Odisha government supported the Centre’s stand.

“I thank the Supreme Court for granting permission to conduct Ratha Yatra. I also thank the Central Government for their cooperation. Odisha Govt and Sree Jagannath Temple Administration is fully prepared to hold Rath Yatra,” said Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

The Supreme Court on Monday permitted authorities to conduct the traditional Rath Yatra at the Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri. The temple committee, and the state and central governments have been asked to coordinate the event with necessary curbs to prevent the spread of covid-19.

The court ordered that all entry points to the city of Puri shall be closed during the festival. The state must also keep records of participants in the Rath Yatra along with details of their medical conditions after testing.

The court has put a cap of 500 people, including officials and police personnel, to pull the chariot, and each person must be tested for coronavirus. Everyone involved must abide by the social distancing norms and guidelines.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday greeted people on the occasion of Lord Jagannath Yatra, hoping that it brings good health and prosperity. “My heartiest greetings, on the auspicious occasion of Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra,” the prime minister tweeted in Hindi. He wished that the occasion brings happiness, prosperity, good luck and health to the lives of the people. “Jai Jagannath,” he said.