Puri Jagannath Temple To Remain Closed For 4 Hours Today

Puri: The darshan of the sibling deities at Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri will remain suspended from 7 pm to 11 pm on Monday on the occasion of Janmashtami.

According to the temple priests, special rituals pertaining to the birth of Lord Krishna are observed during the festival for which darshan suspended on the occasion.

On Monday, the temple’s Mahajans will lead Janmashtami celebrations, inspired by the divine stories of Devika and Vasudeva.

In evening, a symbolic portrayal of birth will be enacted at the eastern gate of the Puri Jagannath temple in the presence of Pujapandas.

As a part of the rituals, the main doors of the temple will be closed to start the rituals.

“In the initial rituals, Sudusuar servitors will clean the area in front of Jay Bijay doors of the main temple and Pujapanda servitors will draw a ‘Mandal’ (motif) on the ground with five different natural colours and pictures of two massive door guards,” a senior servitor said.

Then Pujapanda will put a stool made of ‘Sal’ or ‘Sriparna’ wood there and place a painting of lotus flower on it.

The Pujapanda, Pati Mahapatra and Mudirasti servitors will perform puja by reciting ‘mantras’ (hymns) which will be followed by ‘Kalash Puja’.

First, a picture of the birth of Lord Krishan drawn by Chitrakar servitors is placed on silver lotus and then idols of ‘Nabagarah’ are placed and worshipped. At this time, ‘Panti’ prasad is offered to the deities.

“After getting ‘Angya Mala’ (permission), Mahajan servitors place an idol of Lord Krishna on the stool. The the Lord is worshipped inside the womb of His mother Devaki. It is followed by the birth of Krishna which is performed with puja amid chanting of ‘Shlokas’,” the servitor added.