Puri: With the world famous Rath Yatra in Puri just three weeks away, the Chhattisha Nijog on Saturday finalised the schedule for a series of rituals of the Lords.
The meeting presided over by the finalised a series of rituals for the Snana Purnima, Naba Joubana Darshan, Rath Yatra, Sandhya Darshan, Bahuda Yatra, Suna Besha, Adharnapana and Nilagri Bije.
Talking to the media after the meeting, secretary, Garabadu Nijog, Rajat Kumar Pratihari said the Pahandi of the Lords will begin at 9 am on the Ratha Yatra on July 4. The meeting also discussed timely conduct of the rituals of the Lords in the night after the pulling of the chariots is stopped in the late afternoon for which a two-member sub-committee was formed to ensure timely conduct of the rituals.
Stating that the Sandhya Darshan of the Lords will remain open for the devotees till 7 pm, Pratihari said that there will be no restriction in the sale of the Mahaprasad (cooked food offered to the Lords).
In view of the Lunar eclipse (Chandra Grahana) on July 16, the meeting decided that the Pahuda rituals of the Lords will be completed by 11 pm on July 15. The Dwara Fita ritual will be completed by 2 am. The second Bhoga Mandap Niti will be completed before the Handi Chhada by 4 pm.
Among others, Puri collector Balwant Singh, SP Uma Shankar Dash, Niti Prasasak Biswajit Biswal and senior servitors of the Chhattisha Nijog were present at the meeting.
The schedule for the following rituals is as follows:
Snana Purnima (June 17)
Mangalarpana—4 am, Pahandi—4.30 am-6.30 am, Mangala Alati—7 am, Mailam Lagi—7.30 am, Tadapa Lagi—8 am, Adharapana— 8.30 am, Abakasha— 9 am, Besha Sesha—9.30 am, Rosa Homa—9.30 am 9.40 am, Surjya Puja-10 am, Jala Bije and Snana—11 am to 2 pm, Mailam, Besha—2.30 pm, Chhera Panhara—3.30 pm, Hati Besha—4 pm to 5 pm, Mahanta Sadhibandha—5 pm, Ghanta Chhata and Sakala Dhupa—5.30 pm to 7.30 pm, Dakhinighara Bhoga—8.30 pm, Sahana Mela Darshan—7.30 pm to 9.30 pm, Puspanjali and Dora Lagi— 10 pm, Bahuda Pahandi—10.30 pm to 1.30 am and Suna Chita and Rahulekha Mailam—2 am.
Rath Yatra (July 4)
Mangala Alati, Mailam Lagi, Tadapa Lagi and Rosa Homa—6 am to 6.30 am, Abakasha, Surjya Puja, Dwarapala Puja and Besha Sesha—7 am to 7.30 am, Gopala Ballava and Sakala Dhupa (Khechudi Bhoga)—8 am to 9 am, Ratha Pratistha—9 am, Mangalarpana—9.15 am, Pahandi—9.30 am to 12.30 pm, Madanmohan Bije—12.30 pm to 1 pm, Chita Lagi and Besha Sesha—1.30 pm to 2.30 pm, Chhera Panhanra—2 pm to 3 pm, Charamala Fita—3 pm to 4 pm and Rathatana (pulling of the chariots) —4 pm.
The Pahandi rituals of the Lords on the Bahuda Yatra will be held between 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm while the pulling of the chariots will begin at 4 pm.
The major rituals of the Lords to be performed on the following days:
Deba Snana Purnima-June 17, Naba Joubana Darshan-July 2, Rath Yatra-July 4, Sandhya Darshan-July 11, Bahuda Yatra-July 12, Suna Besha-July 13, Niladri Bije-July 15.
