Puri: Devotees gathered in the thousands at Adapa Mandapa inside Shree Gundicha Temple in Odisha’s Puri to witness the sacred rituals of Hera Panchami, the fifth day of the annual Rath Yatra festival, on Monday.
Amid the spiritual fervour surrounding the holy siblings during their nine-day annual stay, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has issued a stern clarification stating that there is no paid system or provision for “VIP Darshan” at 12th-century shrine. It also lodged an FIR at Singhadwara police station against an entity running under the name ‘eoOdisha’, which allegedly circulated deceptive social media ads claiming to offer a “new facility” that promised smoother, privileged access to the shrine in exchange for money from August 1. Following the complaint, the local police, along with the SJTA’s security wing, have initiated a thorough investigation to track down the creators and owners of the fraudulent website.
Warning people against falling for online scams, Central Range IG Satyajit Naik emphasised: “We have absolutely no provision or rules for VIP darshan.”
Furthermore, senior servitors, including Chhatisa Nijoga chief Janardan Pattajoshi Mohapatra, reiterated that there is no online ticketing system for general or VIP entry. “Every devotee, whether coming from Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, or anywhere else, must stand in the general queue to catch a glimpse of the deities,” temple representatives stated.
The SJTA has urged all devotees, especially out-of-state pilgrims who are highly vulnerable to these online scams, to remain vigilant and not fall prey to fake web portals looking to profit off their faith.
Meanwhile, special security arrangements have been put in place for Hera Panchami rituals, dividing the temple area into eight distinct security zones, to handle the massive footfall of devotees. An additional 52 platoons are stationed for the subsequent Dakshina Moda ritual, which involves turning the grand chariots southward.
Following the completion of the secret Srimukha Sringara facial makeup rituals at Yajna Mandapa, the Palia Mahajana servitors conducted the holy bath of Goddess Mahalakshmi before dressing her in a ceremonial silk saree and fine ornaments. After the Pujapanda servitors present the Panti Bhoga, the Goddess emerges from the 12th-century in a grand procession amid beating of cymbals and a massive entourage down the Grand Road. Driven by a symbolic marital anger for being left behind, the Goddess will damage a piece of Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosha chariot outside the Gundicha Temple and briefly confront the Lord before returning to the main shrine.
Devotes are eagerly waiting in anticipation to witness this beautiful, human-like divine play of the deities.