No Nabajouban Darshan, SJTA Approves Rath Yatra Schedule Of Lord Jagannath In Puri

Puri: Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri on Tuesday approved the ritual schedule for ensuing Rath Yatra on July 7 cleared by Chhatisa Nijog, a confederation of servitors of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, the previous day.

“The meeting discussed and approved the schedule for the annual Rath Yatra. We also had an threadbare discussion on the arrangements being made for the same,” SJTA chief administrator Vir Vikram Yadav told reporters.

This year, only sevayat families will be able to witness Nabajouban Besha of the sibling deities inside the temple as the ritual along with Netra Utsav and Rath Yatra will be performed on the same day (July 7). It has also been decided to do away with the ticketing system for ‘Pahandi Bije’ of the Lords.

Nabajouban Darshan and Netra Utsav are usually observed on two separate days preceding Rath Yatra.

Accordingly, the ‘agyanmala’ for annual festival will be brought from Pati Dian on July 6 and not Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra. “As per Niladri Mahodaya, the Lords reside in Patabrahma during this period and offerings are made to it during the Anabasara ritual. Accordingly, ‘agyanmala’ will be brought from Pati Dian after ‘Sakala Dhupa’ (morning meal) on July 6,” said Madhav Pujapanda, a servitor.

The last such arrangement was done in view of a specific celestial arrangement in 1971.

The SJTA has also directed sevyats to remain prepared for the rituals well in advance for smooth conduct of the festival.