By Our Correspondent
PURI/BHUBANESWAR: The Shri Jagannath Temple Administration was on Friday held a meeting with Daitapati Nijog on COVID-19 guidelines ahead of Snana Yatra(Bathing Ceremony), Anasar Niti(Secrete Rituals) and Rath Yatra(Car Festival). Members of the Daita Nijog expressed their suggestions before the SJTA officials and District Medical officials. Sources said, the Daitapati Nijog will submit a detail report to SJTA Chief Dr Krishna Kumar for further action.
Daitapati servitors are said to be the bodyguards of the Lords in Jagannath temple here. They claim themselves to be among the family members of Lords themselves. They are the protectors of the chariots of the trinity during the world famous Rath Yatra. Of course, they wield a massive influence on temple administration and contribute significantly in shaping Jagannath culture.
Sources said, SJTA chief Dr Kumar and Puri King Gajapati Dibya Singh Deb are closely monitoring the Rath Construction activities and the SJTA Chief has been regularly briefing the State Government top brasses about the preparations for the ensuing Rath Yatra slated for July, which will be held as per the Supreme Court guidelines.
It may be note here that, near about 200 servitors are engaged in the chariot construction. Their thermal screening are being conducted by health officials at the Ratha Khala everyday. However, uncertainties continue to loom over holding of grand festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the Centre gave green signal for construction of chariots, it has made it clear that the decision of holding of the annual car festival will be taken by the state Government keeping in mind the prevailing COVID-19 situation.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, as per the age old tradition, the initiation ceremony for fixing of wheels to chariot axles for the ensuing Ratha Jatra was performed on Bada Danda here with ‘Chaka Dera Anukula’ ritual on the occasion of Bhaunri festival.
The ritual was held after arrival of Agyan Malas (garlands of consent from Lord Jagannath and his divine siblings) at the Ratha Khala from Srimandir by three Puja Pandas (priests).Before the arrival of the garlands, Bhoi Sardar servitors had readied six wheels of the three chariots-Nandighosha, Taladhwaja and Darpadalan- for the ritual. All servitors of the centuries-old temple (Maharana, Biswakarma, Mukhya Biswakarma and Bhoi Sardar) waited eagerly at the Ratha Khala to have darshan of the three Agyan Malas. The ritual was completed after Biswakarma servitors fixed two sets wheels to axles of the three chariots.
