Puri: Preparations for the annual Rath Yatra gathered pace as the Akshaya Trutiya, falling on April 20, will mark the commencement of chariot construction for Lord Jagannath and the start of the 21-day Bahar Chandan Yatra.
The final ritual schedule (Niti Nirghanta) for the auspicious day was approved at a meeting of the Chhatisha Nijog held at the Shree Jagannath Temple office under the chairmanship of Chief Administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee. The schedule, finalised by the Niti Sub-Committee, also focused on ensuring smooth darshan for devotees.
According to the approved programme, the rituals will begin at 3:00 PM with Dwadash Yatra and Nakshatra Bandapana, followed by Bimana (palanquin) Deva Bijay at 3:30 PM. Rath Ajnamala Bijay and lifting of the Bimana will take place at 4:00 PM, while the Bahuda Bijay (return journey) of Chandan Thakur is scheduled for 10:00 PM.
Padhee urged all servitors and nijogs to extend full cooperation to ensure disciplined and orderly conduct of rituals.
Meanwhile, the inventorisation of jewels and ornaments in the ‘Chalanti Ratna Bhandar’ of the temple was completed on March 25. The second phase, covering the outer Ratna Bhandar, will begin from April 8. Initially, the exercise was to be paused on weekends due to heavy footfall, but the Chhatisha Nijog decided to continue counting on Saturdays as well.
The inventorisation will be carried out on April 8–11, April 13, and April 16–18.
In another development, new silver-covered Ratna Palanks (jeweled palanquins) of Lord Jagannath will be used for the first time on April 14, marking the Odia New Year. The old palanquin will be preserved at the temple’s Niladri Museum, with its final placement to be decided by the management committee.
The meeting was attended by the Puri District Collector, Superintendent of Police, temple administration officials, and representatives of the Chhatisha Nijog.
