In a major relief to the State Government, the Daitapatis on Wednesday assured Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Suresh Mohapatra to work in coordination with the Government during the Nabakalebar festival. A meeting between the Daitapatis and the Chief Administrator held at Puri resolved various issues. “We have full faith on Suresh Mohapatra and the Nabakalebar rituals will be held as per customs and in coordination with the Government,” said Daitapati Nijog president Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra after the meeting.
Chief Administrator Mohapatra said, “We elaborately discussed various issues and resolved it. The Daitapati Nijog will submit a list of around 100 persons who will form the Banajaga Yatra team in next two days and will also suggest the name of the team leader to the administration.” “While the Banajaga Yatra will begin from March 29, the team will perform rituals at Kakatpur Mangala peeth on April 3,” said Mohapatra.
The meeting also decided that a team of Daitapatis under the chairmanship of SJTA Chief Administrator Mohapatra will visit Deuli mutt on Thursday to take stock of the preparation. Daitapatis will stay at the mutt during the Nabakalebar festival. Mohapatra said the Nijog will organise a two-day training camp for youth servitors for the the Banajaga Yatra on March 14 for its smooth conduct. Apart from senior members of the Daitapati community, at least 50 young members of the community will attend the camp, he said.