Puri: Lord Jagannath and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are all set to begin their nine-day sojourn to Srigundicha temple on the occasion of Rath Yatra Saturday.
The district administration and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) have made all arrangements for the mega event, which is expected to be witnessed by lakhs of devotees from across the globe.
Meanwhile, three chariots were pulled to the Lions’ Gate of Srimandir from Rath Yard after receiving Agyan Mala (consent of deities) Friday afternoon. As per the tradition, Nandighosa chariot of Lord Jagannath was first pulled to the Lions’ Gate, followed by Darpadalan chariot of Devi Subhadra and Taladhwaj chariot of Lord Balabhadra. “The three chariots reached the Lions’ Gate by 5.45 pm. Subsequently, servitors decorated them with flowers,” said a SJTA official.
Srimandir sources said the Mangala Alati ritual of the deities would be performed at 6 am Saturday. The deities along with Lord Sudarshan would be installed on their respective chariots by 12.30 pm. “The chariots would be pulled towards Srigundicha temple by 4 pm after the completion of Chherapanhara (sweeping) ritual by Gajapati king Dibyasingha Dev within 2 pm and 3 pm,” said the official.
Sources said the temple administration has decided not to allow anybody to the Jagamohan and Natamandap of Srimandir during the Pahandi procession of deities. “People having tickets to witness the Pahandi procession would be allowed to enter into the shrine via the South Gate. VIPs are scheduled to enter Srimandir through the West Gate,” said a temple source.
The temple administration, meanwhile, has hiked the Pahandi procession ticket price by `20. “Now, devotees will have to pay `70 for each ticket,” said the source.
Lakhs have a glimpse
Puri: Lakhs of devotees thronged the holy town to have Nabajouban darshan of Srimandir deities who were taken out of Anasara Gruha after they recovered from fever following Snana Purnima rituals. Sources said all the rituals for Nabajourban darshan started early Friday morning. Crucial rituals like Banakalagi and Netrotsav commenced after Ghanalagi ritual was conducted. Even though Parimanik darshan was scheduled to begin at 8am Friday, it started at 7:30am and continued till 8:15am. Devotees with Parimanik darshan tickets reached the Bhitara Katha (inner barricade) of Srimandir after passing through southern gate, satapahacha (seven steps) and Jay-Vijay gate of the temple. Sahanamela darshan (free darshan for all) began at 8:15am and ended at 10:30am. Devotees from across the country and abroad were seen standing in serpentine queues in front of Singhadwar.