Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has finalised the schedule for all special and routine rituals at Srimandir during the holy month of Kartika.
The schedule was finalised at a meeting of the SJTA with the Chhatisha Niyog, the apex body of Srimandir servitors, here Friday.
As per the schedule, Srimandir servitors will start performing special rituals October 9 and the process will continue till November 12.
SJTA sources said the servitors will perform the Mangala Alati ritual of the deities at 5 am everyday during the holy month of Kartika. The Laxminarayan Besa of Lord Jagannath would be performed November 8 while the Bankachuda Besa is scheduled to be conducted the next day.
“The Tribikram Besa of the Lord will be performed November 10 while the Laxminrusingha Besa is scheduled for November 11. The deities will be adorned with gold ornaments during Sunabesa November 12,” said an official of the SJTA.
According to him, the temple administration will make all arrangements to manage huge crowd at Srimandir during the Panchaka rituals.
SJTA chief administrator Krishan Kumar said Srimandir servitors have assured him of smooth performance of all special and routine rituals in the month of Kartika. “We will hold a meeting with the servitors, Wednesday, to listen to their grievances,” said the SJTA chief.
According to sources, the meeting also held discussions with regard to the timely supply of Mahaprasad to the shelter houses for Habishyalis.
“The SJTA will make special arrangement to facilitate the Habishyalis’ visit to Srimandir during Kartika Brata. The Suar and Mahasuar servitors have agreed to cook Mahaprasad early during the Brata,” said a source in the SJTA.
Puri district Collector Balwant Singh said the administration is making arrangement to provide free accommodation, food and other facilities to at least 3,000 Habishyalis (elderly women) from across the state during Kartika Brata.
As per tradition, hundreds of elderly women from across the state throng the Holy City to observe Kartika Brata. A few years ago, the state government had launched a programme to provide free accommodation, food and other facilities to the Habishyalis.
