Puri: The Divine Trinity, Lord Jagannath and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, is all set to return Srimandir on the auspicious occasion of Bahuda Jatra today, marking the completion of nine-day sojourn at his aunt’s house.
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Preparations for the return journey of the deities have been completed. The festival will be conducted in strict adherence to Covid-19 guidelines.
Servitors started the rituals as per tradition since last night. Rituals like Bahuda Kanta, Charabandha, Kusumilagi have been performed. Charamala has been tied to the three Chariots.
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Pulling of chariots is scheduled to begin at 4 pm. The three chariots are kept ready in front of ‘Nakachana Dwara’ of Gundicha Temple.
On the other hand, the district administration has left no stone unturned to ensure hassle-free festival. The police also stepped up measures to enforce the restrictions imposed by the administration.
The district administration has imposed curfew which came into effect from 8 pm of July 19 (Monday). The restriction will remain in force till 8 PM of July 21 (Wednesday). The prohibitory orders have been clamped to restrict mass public congregation on the Bada Danda/ rooftop and balconies of buildings adjoining the road.
Police have also deployed teams to undertake random checking of persons on Bada Danda to nab those who violate curfew orders.
Measures have been taken to prevent entry of unwanted persons into the holy town. Only authorised persons including servitors, selected officials will be allowed to participate in the festival, Puri SP said.
He said the police have already initiated legal actions against certain persons who have been identified to have violated the curfew order on the Ratha Jatra day on July 12.
Meanwhile, the police have sealed all entry points to Puri town and only local residents are allowed to move after verification. All hotels, lodges and guesthouses on both sides of the Bada Danda have been shut after it was noticed that some people assembled on rooftops to witness the festival, an official said.
The district administration has also prepared a blue-print for Suna besha or golden attire (July 21) and Niladri Bije or return to the temple (July 23).