After arrival of Daitapatis, Biswabasu, Bidyapati and Banajaga servitors on Tuesday night the preliminary works for a proposed Yajana at the lord Balabhadra Daru site at Jhankada started on Wednesday afternoon.
Ankuraropan and Daru Sodhan (purification of Daru) were undertaken by the Swatriya Brahamans at the Daru site, where scores of devotees across the district and outside gathered to witness the ceremony. The Yajana would start on Thursday wee hours while on Friday evening the Yajana Puranaahuti would be conducted before the Daru was cut, informed Daitapati Jaya Krushana Das Mohapatra.
Sources informed that after lord Sudarshan Daru headed to Puri on Tuesday around 7 pm, the Banajaga team members (152) arrived at Sarala Pitha, Jhankada and took rest at newly built Sabara Palli (makeshift home for Banajaga members) and inspected the Yajana Mandap. The district administration made elaborate arrangements for the visiting Banajaga team and other ancillary works for smooth conduct of Yajana and Daru cutting. Sources added the Banajaga team members were satisfied with all preparations and expected the rituals to be completed as scheduled.
Meanwhile, devotees were thronging Adhanga Majurai village under Biridi block where Maa Subhadra Daru was said to have been located. Only an official announcement by the SJTA was awaited. Sources said during the Daru search operation, the Banajga servitors had found a big neem tree inside the Nilakantheswar temple in Adhanga village and shortlisted it for Maa Subhadra Daru. For the protection of the Daru, two-way iron barricading work had started.