New Delhi, June 18 (TIWN) The Supreme Court on Thursday disallowed the annual Rath Yatra in Odisha's Puri, slated to start from the Jagannath Temple on June 23. Now there will be no chariot pulling of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra and all other activities associated with the annual programme also stand cancelled.

Supreme Court of India has stayed annual Rath Yatra at Puri's Jagannath Temple in Odisha which was scheduled from June 23. The apex court said that 'Lord Jagannath won't forgive us if we allow this year's Rath Yatra'. The SC bench headed by Chief Justice of India Sharad Arvind Bobde commented that such huge gathering can't take place during pandemic.  The bench noted that in the interest of public health and safety of citizens, the Rath Yatra festival cannot be allowed this year.  “In the interest of public health and safety of citizens, we restrain the state from holding the Rath Yatra and associated activities. We direct that there shall be no Rath Yatra and associated activities this year", the CJI ordered.