Chariots of the Trinity stationed in front of the Jagannath Temple in Puri on Thursday | Express
PURI: Excitement was palpable in the holy city of Puri on Thursday as the deities were prepared for ‘Nabajouban Besha’, during which the rejuvenated Trinity would come out of the sick room after recovering from fever, scheduled for Friday.The Dattamahapatra servitors, ahead of the ritual, performed ‘Banakalaagi’ of the deities in the sick room.
The process went on for over five hours. The ‘Nabajouban Besha’ would start at around 8 am and continue till 10 am. While the first one hour is slated for ‘Parmanik darshan’ (for devotees with tickets), ‘Sahana mela’ (free for all devotees) will be held in the second hour. The daily chores of the deities would begin with ‘Mangal Aarati’ at 5.10 am followed by ‘Abakash’ at 7 am.
After the Nabajouban Besha,’ the deities would be served ‘Gopal Bhog’ (breakfast) followed by ‘Sakala Dhupa’ (cooked food). The trinity would then issue ‘Ajnamallyas’ (permission in form of floral garlands) to veer the three chariots from the construction yard to the front of the Lion’s Gate facing the east of Sri Jagannath Temple for the consecration ceremony.
Later, decorative items like ‘kalash’, ‘amolaka’ and flagmasts were installed on the chariots.
Besides preparation for the ritual, a mock drill was conducted involving all security agencies at the Reserve Police Grounds here on Thursday. Apart from the State police, personnel of SOG, quick action team and Rapid Action Force participated in the drill, which was conducted under the supervision of Additional DGP Satyajit Mohanty and other senior police officers. Mohanty said the city has been divided into five security zones ahead of the car festival.
Civil Aviation Ministry says no to ‘No Flying Zone’ plea
Puri: The Civil Aviation Ministry on Thursday refused to declare the air space over Puri city as ‘No Flying Zone’, informed SP Sarthak Sarangi. A communique received from the Ministry stated that since the city is in line with international flight route, it is not possible to declare it as a ‘No Flying Zone’. The Ministry stated that international flights fly over 35,000 feet above the ground. “Flights coming down to 10,000 feet would be signalled accordingly,” added the communique. Earlier, the State police had urged the Civil Aviation Ministry to decalre Puri as a ‘No Flying Zone’ during the duration of the annual Rath Yatra.
Baripada set for Lord’s journey
Baripada: The stage is set for celebration of Rath Yatra at Haribaldevjew temple in Baripada. Devotees will be able to witness the Trinity in ‘NabaJouban Besha’ at Natamandap on Friday. On Saturday, the deities will be brought to Natamandap in ‘Pahandi’ by 4 pm and rituals like ‘Bata Bandhapana’ and ‘Rupa Besha’ would follow. The deities will spend two days on the chariots and on Monday night, enter Mausi Maa temple. This year, the temple faced shortage of timber for construction of the chariots. Carpenters had to use wood from old chariots to complete work.
Chief carpenter Mrutyunjay Mohapatra led a team of 31 carpenters and sculptors who created the three chariots. Installation of Charumala, Kalasha Pratistha and Netra Utsav of the chariots would be done by sevayats on Friday. PHED and Municipality officials have made provision for safe drinking water for devotees during the festival. As per tradition, Rath Yatra here is celebrated a day after the festival in Puri. The uniqueness of Baripada car festival is that Goddess Subhadra’s chariot is pulled by women.
