Post News Network
Puri, June 2: Nearly three lakh devotees Tuesday witnessed the Hatibesha of the Trinity on the occasion of the Debasnana Purnima.
Puri seer Nischalananda Saraswati along with six of his disciples had the darshan of the deities on the Snana Mandap at 3.45pm.
Though touching of the deities had been prohibited by the temple administration, many devotees were seen touching the deities in the presence of senior members of the Daitapati Niyog. The embargo imposed by the temple administration fizzled out.
Since this was the last public view of these wooden idols, the entire Badadanda was soaked with devotion amid invocation of Jay Jagannath and beating of musical instruments amid shankirtan and ululation. The blistering heat failed to dampen the spirit of the devotees who thronged the holy city to witness the rituals before the Nabakalebara of the deities.
According to sources, Mangala Arpana ritual started at 6.50am following which Bije Kahali was blown at 7am to initiate the process of Pahandi procession. The idol of Lord Sudarshan was first taken to Snana Mandap in dhadi pahandi (row procession) following which those of the Trinity followed.
Mangala Alati, Mailama, Tadapalagi, Adhara Pochha, Abakasha, Besha were performed after the idols were placed on Snana Mandap.
