Puri: The sacred atmosphere of Srimandir on this holy Akshaya Tritiya was a profound blend of deep devotion and timeless tradition.
Under the guidance of Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Chief Administrator of the Sri Jagannatha Temple Administration, every ritual was carried out with a sense of divine grace and administrative precision.
The air in Puri today carried the scent of sandalwood and the heavy, emotional weight of a community beginning its most cherished journey toward the Rath Jatra.
The day began in the quiet, pre-dawn hours with the opening of the temple doors at 3:50 AM. As the morning progressed, the sanctum became a center of intense spiritual energy.
Approximately 7 kg of sandalwood paste, prepared with utmost purity, was applied to the deities, enveloping the inner chamber in a celestial fragrance. The sight of the Lord adorned in this cooling paste on the scorching summer day brought tears of joy to the eyes of the gathered sevayats and officials.
By early afternoon, the representative deities—Shri Madanmohan, Shri Ramakrushna, Sridevi, and Bhudevi—received their divine command garlands. As they were carried out to their palanquins in a vibrant procession toward the Narendra Pushkarini, the sound of gongs and the fervor of the devotees created a landscape of pure faith. This marked the start of the 21-day Chandan Jatra, a time when the Lord enjoys water sports to find relief from the summer heat.
Simultaneously, at the Ratha Khala, the auspicious construction of the chariots began. Following the sacred rituals, the chief carpenters and artisans received their traditional honors. With the touch of the consecrated gold axe on the wood, the construction of the three mighty chariots was officially inaugurated.
SJTA Chief, Dr. Padhee, alongside Shri Dibya Jyoti Parida, Collector, Shri Prateek Singh, SP and other senior district and police officials, remained present throughout, ensuring that the ancient customs were honored with the dignity they deserve.
It was a day where the administrative heart of the temple beat in perfect unison with the spiritual pulse of the people, all dedicated to the service of the Lord of the Universe.