It was a tough day for the security personnel at the Gadakantunia village near the Sudarshan Daru as the ruling party politicians made a beeline for the darshan of the Daru, besides scores of devotees. Ministers Arun Sahu and Ashok Panda and local MP Prasanna Patsani visited the Daru site.
All through the day the Daitapatis were chanting Patal Nrusingha Mantra while Swatriay Brahmins conducted 700 Ahutis in the Yajna. The Brahmins and the Daitapatis would remain on fasting till the Daru was cut into size.
On the Friday Purna Ahuti of the ongoing Yajna would be conducted by the Gajapati King after the Brahmins complete 1,008 Ahutis in the Yajna Mandap and 101 Ahutis near the Daru. The Swatriya Brahmins consecrated gold, silver and iron axes to be used for cutting of the neem tree. The cutting of the tree is scheduled to begin at about 3 pm. As per the norms the Swatiya Brahmins would hand over the gold axe to Bidyapati, silver to the Biswabasu and iron axe to the Biswakarma after the Purna Ahuti.