Bhubaneswar: The renovation work of the Puri Srimandir Ratna Bhandar will remain suspended for the next two days, April 10-11, due to the upcoming Dayana Lagi ritual.
According to sources, the decision to suspend the repair works was taken due to special rituals at the Jagannath Temple.
The Damanaka Chaturdashi ritual of Lord Jagannath will be observed at the Puri temple on Friday, April 11. Considering the importance of the Dayana Lagi ritual, the Ratna Bhandar (the treasure room of the temple) will remain closed for maintenance and conservation work on April 10 and 11, as announced by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration.
It is celebrated on Chaitra Sukla Trayodasi and Chaturdasi Tithis.
Going by the tradition, Lord Jagannath Mahaprabhu forcefully plucked Dayana leaves from Lord Indra’s Nandana garden and adorned them on his hands, and this festival commemorates that event. During the celebration, representative deities such as Lord Rama and Lord Krushna are taken in a procession to the garden of Jagannath Ballabha Matha. There, the deities discreetly collect their cherished Dayana leaves without the knowledge of others. On the 14th day, the leaves are formally offered to the deities, marking a significant part of the festivities, also known as Damanaka Chaturdasi. This unique ritual is one of the notable festivals observed within the sacred premises of the Jagannath Temple.
As special rituals will take place for Lord Jagannath’s Dayana Lagi ritual, the Ratna Bhandar repair works have been suspended for today and tomorrow.
