It is good news for devotees of lord Jagannath that the Niti Samannway Committee (ritual coordination committee) of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri has decided to allow them to have darshan (glimpse) of lord Jagannath, lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on the Nabajauban day (the day preceding Gundicha Yatra-onward journey, part of the Rath Yatra) this year.
This was announced by Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Suresh Mohapatra on Thursday.
On this day, the lords after falling sick on taking the grand bath on Debasnana Purnima (the grand bathing ritual of the lords) give darshan to devotees for the first time after remaining in the Anabasar Griha for 15 days.
Notably, darshan by ordinary devotees on the Nabajauban Day was banned by the SJTA last year which had led severe discontentment among the devotees as well as Sevayats (temple servitors). The committee at its meeting also finalised the Niti Nirghanta (timetable for rituals) for the upcoming Debasnan Purnima.
Devotees would not be allowed to touch the deities during the Snan (bath) ritual, said Mohapatra. Special barricades would be erected for the purpose, he added.
However, Sevayats have expressed discontentment over the ban imposed on touching of deities by devotees.
The committee meeting was attended by president and secretaries of 11 Nijogs (temple servitors’ bodies).