India, April 30 -- For the first time in 284 years, Puri's annual Jagannath Rath Yatra celebrations may not be held due to the Coronavirus pandemic and the nationwide lockdown. By Upasana Singh

Rath Jatra, the Festival of Chariots of Lord Jagannath is celebrated every year in Odisha's temple town of Puri. This year, the festival may not be held as its fate depends on government guidelines that will be set in place after May 3. Puri Gajapati Maharaj, Dibysingh Deb, head of the management committee of the 12th-century shrine stated that only after the lockdown ends, the temple officials will assess the rules and guidelines, and adopt measures as per the government's announcement.

Millions of devotees across India are keeping their fingers...