‘Snana Purnima’ of Trinity to be Observed only by Servitors,SJTA

Bureau,Odishabarta

Puri: Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) is contemplating to observe the famous “Snana Purnima” of the Trinity only by the servitors adhering to Covid guidelines. SJTA Chief Administrator Krishan Kumar said efforts are on to observe the Snana Purnima rituals only by servitors without the presence of devotees.

“We are observing the Covid situation and in short intervals evaluating the situation. If everything remains under control, the Snana Yatra and annual Rath Yatra of the Trinity will be conducted as per tradition without the participation of the devotees,” Kumar said.

Last year too, the Snana Yatra and the Rath Yatra were conducted by the temple administration without the participation of the devotees due to the Covid pandemic. Kumar, along with Collector Samarth Verma and Superintendent of Police K Vishal Singh, on Wednesday visited the Rath Khala (chariot construction yard) to assess the progress made in construction.

After taking stock of the work in the construction yard, Kumar told mediapersons that work is going on as per schedule. As per tradition, on the concluding day of Chandan Yatra on Thursday, one axle each of the three chariots would be fixed with three sets of wheels.

Artisans have completed 20 wheels out of the total required 42 wheels for three chariots. About 200 workers, including carpenters and blacksmiths, are engaged in the yard. The artisans are working in a bio bubble atmosphere. Only Covid 19 negative workers are allowed to work and they are housed in Niladri Bhakta Nivas, a temple facility where all their needs, from food to other basic amenities, are taken care of, the SJTA chief said.

Meanwhile, 20 ropes, to be used for pulling chariots during Rath Yatra, have been delivered to the temple by the Cooperative Coir Corporation. About 14 ropes, each 200 metres long and 7-inch diameter, will be used for pulling the chariots. The rest six ropes will be used for cordoning off the chariots.
Temple sources said “Bhaunri,” the concluding day of the ongoing 21-day long Chandan Yatra, would be held on Thursday. Five platoons of police will be deployed around Narendra tank and along the Badadanda while Section 144 CrPC will be promulgated around the tank to prevent the gathering of devotees to witness the proceedings of “Bhaunri,” Kumar said.

PRO,JN temple