Three artists headed by Kesu Das have sought to revive an age-old tradition followed between Snana Purnima and Netra Utsav in the Puri Jagannath Temple at Baleswar.

Besides Das, the other two are Prabir Patra and Divya Ranjan Rout. “Pati Dian Ankan is an age old and traditional cult of lord Jagannath at Puri. First time, we are going to introduce and popularize the cult in Baleswar,” said Das.

“As per Jagannath cult when the trinity goes to the Anasar ghar during the illness period after Snana Purnima, the Pati Dian is worshipped till the time of Netra Utsav. As per the tradition, the deities’ sketches are drawn as per Utkala Kala. lord Jagannath while is being worshipped in form of Yangya Narayan, lord Balabhadra is worshipped in the form of Ananta Basudev and Devi Suvadra as Bhubaneswari,” said Das.

“Temple heads of Baleswar such as Nilgiri Jagannath Jew, Sashanga Jagannath Jew,  Banthia Jagannath Jew, Police line Jagannath Jew, Sri Patitapaban Budh Jagannath Jew and Dublagadi temple have recognized their Pati Dian Ankan Chitrakar. The artwork would begin on May 29 and be completed on June 2,” he said, adding the recognizing ceremony is held  on the Akshay Tritiya.

As per a decision, Das while would be drawing the sketches of Yagna Narayan , Prabir Patra and Divya  Ranjan Rout would be drawing the sketches  of Bhubaneswari and Ananata Basudev on clothes. These artists with assistance of other junior artists would be drawing the sketches for different temples.

Jayant Mardaraj , present head of Nilgiri Royal family, said, “The tradition of worshiping of Pati Dian as Jagannath has almost perished from all Jagannath temples. However, the tradition is followed in Puri temple. Therefore, in order to revive the lost tradition, this year we have engaged artists.”

Social worker Subasini Jena said, “We don’t know many of the rituals being followed as per Jagannath temple, yet we shouldn’t ignore culture and tradition. Pati Dian is being made by the artists strictly as per Utkaliya Kala. It is a good and encouraging move by some temples of the district.”