Srimandir to get lightning arresters soon
BHUBANESWAR: Lightning arresters will be installed at the high rise subsidiary shrines like Bimala, Mahalaxmi, Bhubaneswari, Adi Nrusingha and Surya temples on the premises of Shree Jagannath temple in Puri.
This was discussed at a meeting between the director general (DG) of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Yadubir Singh Rawat and chief administrator of SJTA Arabinda Kumar Padhee on Saturday.
The ongoing and upcoming conservation and restoration works to be taken up in Srimandir were discussed at the meeting. It focused on collaborative initiatives to preserve the temple's architectural heritage, structural integrity, and cultural significance.
Issues like completion of balance conservation and repair works of Ratna Bhandar, the temple complex and the critical ones to be taken up in the Garbha Gruha during the Rath Yatra were discussed.
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Hans India
11 hours ago
- Hans India
Lakhs witness Lord Jagannath's bathing rituals
Puri: Braving hot and humid weather, lakhs of devotees, including Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, gathered here on Wednesday to witness Lord Jagannath's ceremonial bathing rituals, held in an open pandal on the premises of the 12th-century temple. Earlier in the morning, the three deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra were brought to the 'Snana Mandap' (bathing altar) with a ceremonial 'pahandi' (procession). Shree Sudarshan, considered the 'wheel weapon' of Lord Bishnu, also accompanied the trinity, officials of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) said, adding that the 'Pahandi' ritual was completed by 9 am. Amid chanting of 'slokas', 108 pitchers of sacred and scented water, fetched from 'Suna Kua' (golden well) inside the temple premises, were poured on the deities. While 35 pitchers of water were poured on Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra were bathed in 33 and 22 pitchers of water, respectively. A total of 18 pitchers of water were poured on Shree Sudarshan. The ritual was held at the 'Snana Mandap' (bathing altar), the elevated pedestal facing the Grand Road where devotees get the opportunity to witness the bathing rituals, an official at the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) said. Accompanied by some local MLAs, the Chief Minister entered the temple through the temple's northern gate and witnessed the morning prayers and the ceremonial procession of the deities. 'For the first time, I got the opportunity to witness the Lord's Pahandi and Mangala Aarti on the Snana Mandap. I prayed for the well-being of all,' Majhi said, adding that he also inspected chariot-making on the Grand Road. The festival, known as 'Deva Snana Purnima', takes place on the full moon day in the month of 'Jyestha', and this is the first occasion in a year when the wooden idols are brought out of the sanctum sanctorum in a procession and placed on the 'Snana Mandap' for the bathing rituals. It is also considered the birthday of Lord Jagannath. According to the Skanda Purana, King Indradyumna, who had installed the wooden deities in the 12th-century shrine, introduced the bathing ritual. Soon after the bathing ceremony, Gajapati Maharaja, Puri's titular king Dibyasingha Deb, performed the 'Chhera Panhara' (sweeping) ritual at 'Snana Mandap'. The deities were dressed up in 'Sada Besha' (plain dress) and later 'Hati Besha' (elephant attire, a form of Lord Ganesha). While Lord Jagannath is dressed as a black elephant, Lord Balabhadra takes the form of a white elephant, and Goddess Subhadra is dressed in Kumari Besha. 'Sahan Mela' or public darshan will be allowed from 7.30 pm, the temple calendar said. The deities will later be taken back to the sanctum sanctorum in the 12th-century shrine and remain in 'Anasara Ghar' (isolation room) for 14 days as they fall ill after having the bath. The temple 'Baidya' (physician) would treat them with herbal medicines, and the public 'darshan' of the deities will remain closed till June 26, a day before the annual Rath Yatra on June 27. On the occasion, security has been tightened in Puri with the deployment of 70 platoons of force and 450 officers, said SP Vinīt Agarwal. 'For the first time, the police are using AI-based surveillance cameras, linked to a new integrated control room, for real-time monitoring,' he added.
Hans India
13 hours ago
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Time of India
16 hours ago
- Time of India
Debasnana Purnima draws thousands to Jagannath Temple
Bhubaneswar: Lakhs of devotees, drenched in devotion, gathered at Puri's Jagannath temple on Wednesday to witness the sacred bathing ceremony of the deities during Debasnan Purnima, or Snan Yatra—a major prelude to the Rath Yatra and revered as Lord Jagannath's birthday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The spectacle unfolded on the Snan Bedi, an open-air stone platform visible from the bustling Grand Road outside the shrine. Here, the idols of Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra were bathed in 108 vesselso f 'sacred water' drawn from the 'Sunakua' (golden well) nestled within the temple grounds. Temple servitors performed the elaborate bathing ritual as chants echoed and the sea of pilgrims watched in hushed reverence. What makes this ritual uniquely accessible is that it allows lakhs to catch a glimpse of the deities without entering the temple premises. Among the sea of worshippers stood chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who had arrived in Puri early in the morning. "I participated in the Mangala Alati, Pahandi Bije for the first time on Debasnan Purnima and was blessed to have a darshan of the holy trinity. I prayed for the well-being of the people of the state and country. Lakhs of devotees came for darshan. All arrangements were made properly. We hope that the upcoming Rath Yatra will be conducted smoothly with the blessings of Lord Jagannath," Majhi said. The festivities began in the early morning hours with the grand procession known as Pahandi, in which the deities were ceremonially escorted from the sanctum sanctorum to the Snan Bedi, accompanied by music, chants, and an electrified crowd. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Following the sacred bath, the deities were adorned in the Hati Besa (elephant attire). However, the grandeur soon gave way to a quieter phase of the ritual cycle. According to tradition, the deities are believed to fall ill after the elaborate bathing, leading to a fortnight of seclusion known as 'Anabasara'. During this time, the idols remain hidden from public view, receiving care in the form of 'Phuluri Tela', a special herbal preparation believed to aid their recovery. Devotees instead offer prayers to 'Pati Dians', the painted representations of the divine trio, until the deities emerge rejuvenated for Nabajouban Darshan on June 26, the eve of the much-awaited Rath Yatra.
