Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Sunday issued a detailed schedule for conduct of all the rituals associated with Snana Purnima, Shree Gundicha Jatra, Bahuda, Niladri Bije, Suna Besha and Adhar Pana.
The timings were finalised at a meeting held between SJTA, Puri District Administration and Chhattisa Nijog on Sunday.
“All arrangements will be made keeping in mind the Covid-19 norms and guidelines issued by the State Government are strictly followed. Double dose vaccination and RT-PCR test have been made mandatory for all persons to be involved in the rituals and Rath Jatra,” said Puri Collector Samarth Verma.
Only the Palia Sevayats, who will conduct the concerned rituals will be allowed to do while other Sevayats will be allowed to have Darshan only. During that time, curfew will be imposed around the temple and police officials asked to enforce it, he said.
All Sevayats have assured to cooperate with the SJTA to conduct all rituals smoothly, said SJTA Niti Prasasak (Administrator, Rituals) Jitendra Sahu.
As there are cases that people get infected even after receiving tow doses of vaccine, it was decided to conduct RT-PCR test of all persons to be involved in the rituals and Rath Jatra, he said.
As per schedule released by the temple administration, Snana Purnima will be held on 24 June. The Mangalaparna Niti will start from 1 am while Pahandi will be conducted before 4 AM, Snana from 7.30 to 9.30 AM, Hati Besha—11 AM to 12 PM and Bahuda Pahandi between 5 PM and 8 PM.
Nabajoubana Darshan scheduled for 7.30 AM to 1.30 PM on 9 July . The rituals for Shree Gundicha Jatra on 12 July will start from 4.30 AM, Ratha Pratishta will be done at 8 AM, Pahandi will start from 8:30 AM and end at 11.30 AM, Chera Panhara—12.45 to 2 PM and pulling of chariots from 3 PM
Similarly, the rituals for Bahuda Jatra on 20 July 20 will begin with Mangala Arati at 4 AM, Pahandi rituals between 12 to 2:30 PM and pulling of chariots will start from 4 PM.
On the next day on 21 July , Suna Besha of all three deities will be conducted between 4 PM and 5:30 PM while Sandhya Alati will be conducted at 6 PM and Chandanlagi at 12.30 AM.
Adhar Pana rituals will be conducted on 22 July by 8 PM. the pahandi rituals will begin from 4 pm and be completed by 10 pm on Niladri Bije day on 23 July.
Like last year, the Rath Jatra this year to be conducted in Shree Jagannath Temple Puri without devotees and imposition of curfew in the city due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
All the Sevaks involved in the rituals will undergo RT-PCR tests four times. Similarly, police personnel and temple officials involved in arrangements also to be tested.
The tests will be done at four stages i.e. before Snana Jatra, before Shree Gundicha Jatra, before Bahuda Jatra and 15 days after Niladri Bije.