After a full squad of Banajaga Yatra members arrived at Adhangagada, the preliminary rituals for performing Yajna started near the Maa Subhadra Daru on Thursday.
The Swatriya Brahaman conducted ‘ Ankuraropan’ and gave a holy bath to the neem tree with 108 pots of water. As per tradition, Suryapuja and Barunapuja will be conducted on Friday morning before the Yajana begins. The Yajana will continue till Saturday. Purnahuti will mark its conclusion paving the way for the felling of the neem tree, informed Samantshree Narasingh Mohapatra who leads the Yajana team members.
Septuagenarian Swatriya Brahaman Mohapatra revealed that all through the Yajana day, the Daitapatis will chant Patal Nrusingha Mantra while Brahamans will conduct 700 Ahutis. The Brahamans and Daitapatis would remain on fast till the Daru was cut. The Swatriya Brahamans would hand over the golden axe to Bidyapati, silver axe to Biswabasu and iron axe to the Biswakarama servitors for felling the Daru, Mohapatra informed who experienced five Nabakalebars during his life time.
Meanwhile after Adhangagada, the Kharipadia near Raghunathpur where Shree Jagannath Daru was identified turned into a major pilgrimage centre with flow of devotees constantly. Reports said that the district administration prohibited allowing devotees to the Daru site to avert traffic jam. But the ban was partially lifted on Thursday.
District Collector SK Mallick said all arrangements have been made for smooth traffic flow in the area besides protection of the Daru. Two-way iron barricading work has been done so that the devotees can have a hassle-free Darshan.
The lord Blabhadra Daru resumed its journey towards Puri after a night’s rest at Raghunathpur. Thousands of people gave adieu to the holy Daru at Nanapur where the Sagadi entered into Cuttack district.
The Cuttack district administration officially welcomed the Daru and the Sagadi moved to Biribati where the servitors would stay a night.