Bhubaneswar: Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has rescheduled the timing of the daily flag hoisting (Dhwaja Bandha) ritual from sunset to afternoon (3-4 pm) as part of its measures to alleviate evening congestion to the revered Jagannath temple during Panchuka.
Overcrowding occurs inside the temple and near Singhadwar during sunset to see the Dhwaja Bandha ritual every day, especially in the holy month of Kartik. Keeping it in mind, the temple body has directed the concerned servitors to complete Dhwaja Bandha by 3:30 pm for the next week.
The SJTA has sought cooperation from Chunara servitors who perform the ritual every day and emphasized that no exceptions will be allowed. Separate office arrangements have been made for the servitors concerned.
Talking to the media, a Chunara servitor said, “Earlier, we used to carry out the Dhwaja Bandha ritual at 5 pm. However, the temple administration has instructed us to perform it between 3-4 pm. We welcome this decision. The temple experiences heavy crowds during Panchuka (the last five days of Kartik month). The flag-hoisting time sees extreme congestion, sometimes leading to stampedes. If the temple office delivers the flag to us by 3 pm, we’ll complete Dhwaja Bandha by 4 pm.”
