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Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
SJTA to draw up SOP for smooth ‘Pahandi'
Bhubaneswar: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has decided to draw an SOP to ensure smooth execution of 'Pahandi', a crucial ritual during Rath Yatra where idols are escorted to and from chariots. This decision follows an unfortunate incident from July 9, 2024, when Lord Balabhadra's idol slipped from servitors' grasp during transfer from the chariot to Gundicha temple, two days after Rath Yatra. During a high-level meeting in Puri, the govt instructed SJTA to establish robust measures preventing similar incidents. "We will create separate Pahandi teams for each chariot, with SJTA determining the team sizes. A govt official will oversee each team, and measures will be taken to control crowds near the idols during Pahandi," said chief administrator Arabinda Padhee. The 'Pahandi' ritual is performed by servitors during Rath Yatra when giant wooden idols are taken from Jagannath temple to the chariots; again during their transfer to Gundicha temple, and during Bahuda Yatra and Neeladri Bije when returning to the sanctum sanctorum. Previous year's arrangements specified personnel limits: Taladhwaja chariot (Lord Balabhadra) - 74 people, including 60 servitors and staff plus along with 14 ghantuas (who beat cymbals); Darpadalana chariot (Devi Subhadra) - 62 people, including 50 servitors and staff, and 12 ghantuas; Nandighosh chariot (Lord Jagannath) - 86 people, including 70 servitors and staff, and 16 ghantuas. "The implementation failed as servitors exceeded prescribed numbers during Pahandi, resulting in the incident with Lord Balabhadra's idol," a temple official said. At the meeting, the govt has approved this year's Rath Yatra schedule for June 27: Mangala Alati ceremony at 6 am, followed by Rath Pratishtha rituals until 9 am. Pahandi procession usually takes place from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. The 'chhera pahanra', where the King Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb performs ceremonial sweeping of chariots, takes place between 2:30 pm and 3 pm, with chariot pulling starting at 4 pm. "Like the previous year, we will impose ban on use of mobile phones on chariots. Servitors cannot use mobile phones on chariots. Only a handful of duty-bound servitors will be allowed to board the chariots. Police cases will be registered against violators," Padhee said.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Ratna Bhandar restoration to be over by July 8: Minister
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Govt has set a deadline to finish restoration work of Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar (treasury) by Neeladri Bije, to be celebrated on July 8, marking the end of this year's Rath Yatra. The repair work, which commenced on Dec 17, 2024, has been on hold at present due to Chandan Yatra. Sources said work is set to resume on June 28, a day after Rath Yatra when the deities will be at Gundicha temple. The sibling deities will return to the sanctum sanctorum on July 8. "Restoration work is on hold since April 29 to facilitate the smooth conduct of Chandan Yatra. The ASI will resume and expedite the work after the deities' departure from the Jagannath Temple's garbha gruha (sanctum sanctorum) on Rath Yatra on June 27. We expect that the work will be over by Neeladri Bije," law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said on Sunday. ASI officials intend to work 7-8 hours daily while the deities are away. "Previously, we were restricted to a maximum of two hours of repair work every day to accommodate the deities' daily rituals," an ASI functionary said. Between Dec 17, 2024 and April 28, 2025, the ASI completed about 200 hours of repair work on the Ratna Bhandar, which was reopened by the govt on July 14, 2024, after 46 years, for urgent restoration. The minister indicated that the restoration is progressing systematically to ensure the structure remains stable for the next hundred years. ASI reports indicate work on the inner chamber is nearly over, with floor renovation pending. The damaged flooring will be replaced with Khondalite stone. Five damaged inner chamber beams have been substituted with stainless steel alternatives. Work on the outer chamber is nearing completion, including replacement of damaged stone and exterior repairs.
