Puri: Anticipation is growing among thousands of Jagannath devotees as the Ratna Bhandar is set to be opened on the 14th of this month. The committee members who will enter the Ratna Bhandar will first perform a worship ritual at the Lokanath temple. They will dress similarly to the temple servitors and will eat a sattvic meal, which is a pure and vegetarian diet. The Law Minister has announced that the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for this event will be issued by tomorrow.
The Chief Administrator of the Srimandir, Dr. Aravind Padhi, is actively involved in the preparations. He has been seen bowing down near the three chariots and inspecting various aspects to ensure everything is in order. Dr. Padhi, a senior IAS officer from the 1996 batch, has considerable experience in this role as he had previously served as the chief administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple.
Preparations for the Bahuda Yatra, the return journey of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, have also begun. The chariots have taken a southward turn and are being adorned with Ajnamala, sacred garlands. Mobile phones are prohibited on the chariots to maintain the sanctity of the event.
Dr. Padhi’s presence is a reassurance to many as he oversees and understands all the ongoing work. His dedication to the temple and its activities is evident as he manages both the opening of the Ratna Bhandar and the preparations for the Bahuda Yatra.
As the opening day approaches, the excitement among the devotees continues to build. The pastimes of Mahaprabhu (another name for Lord Jagannath) are once again coming to life in their birthplace, and soon it will be time for their return journey.
With only a few days left, the atmosphere in Puri is filled with devotion and enthusiasm. The opening of the Ratna Bhandar and the Bahuda Yatra are significant events in the lives of the devotees, marking important moments of spiritual significance and community celebration.
ଦକ୍ଷିଣ ମୋଡ଼ ପାଇଁ ରଥକୁ ଆଜ୍ଞାମାଳ ବିଜେ ।
— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) July 12, 2024
Agyanmala Bije for the Dakhina Moda of the Rathas.#JaiJagannatha#RathaYatra2024 pic.twitter.com/2xaet2gaEK