With the repair work of the Shree Jagannath Temple’s Jagmohan by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) scheduled to begin from January 27 and to be completed before the Snana Purnima, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has asked the servitors to reschedule the rituals of the lords to ensure completion of repair work in time.
In a letter, the SJTA has asked the Daitapati Nijog and the Garabadu Nijog to begin the rituals of the deities at 2 am (Dwaraphita) and complete other rituals like Bhitarashodha, Mangala Alati, Sakala Dhupa, Bhoga Mandapa, Madhyanna Dhupa, Dwitiya Bhoga Mandapa and Dakhinaghara Bhoga by 11 am, after which the ASI would begin the work.
“The temple administration has asked us to oversee the repair work of Jagmohan by the ASI authorities and have another round of talks with them in June about the progress of the work. Whatever may be the status of the work, the ASI had to withdraw the scaffolding by June so that we would be able to perform rituals for the Snana Yatra and Anasara and other secret rituals of the lords,” Daitapati Nijog assistant secretary Binayak Dasmohapatra said.
The temple administration has also announced it would reward the Palia and Adhika Palia servitors with double the amount if they perform the rituals as per the schedules. However, they would be deprived of the reward and subjected to disciplinary action if they fail in performing the rituals in time.
“Keeping the timing of the repair work in mind, we have rescheduled the timing of Madhyanna Dhupa (Kotha Bhoga) of the lords between 9 am and 10 am while the second Bhoga Mandap will be completed between 9.30 am and 11 am to enable the devotees to get the Mahaprasad,” Garabadu Nijog secretary Rajat Kumar Pratihari said.
ASI Technical Committee member Dr Narayan Chandra Pal said the primary focus would be on stabilising the two capital stones on the north-west side of the Jagmohan through pinning, anchoring, grouting and carbon wrapping.
He said the ASI has formed five teams for the repair work. “Though it will be tough for us to complete the work within such a short time, we will try our best to accomplish all critical repair work before the Snana Purnima,” he added.