Declare Rath Yatra as national holiday: BJP

BJP treasurer Ramdas Agarwal says by declaring the opening day of the festival as a national holiday, the government should respect the sentiments of the devotees.

The BJP on Saturday urged the government to declare the opening day of Lord Jaganath Rath Yatra in Puri as national holiday enabling the devotees to participate in the festival.

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In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, BJP treasurer Ramdas Agarwal said the festival is being celebrated across the country and several places in abroad by the devotees of Lord Jaganath.

By declaring the opening day of the festival as a national holiday, the government should respect the sentiments of the devotees, he said.

The date of the Rath Yatra varies every year as it is being held according to the Hindu calendar.