Devotees who can’t come to Puri, can watch it on TV: Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb

As the pilgrim town gets ready for the annual festival of Rath Yatra in a grand manner, the King of Puri, Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb appealed the devotees of Lord Jagannath to watch the festival on television if they fail to turn up at the Grand Road on Friday.

Speaking to OTV, the King said, “By the grace of God, we do not have a severe COVID pandemic this year around. So, we are observing the festival this time with full public attendance. Because the devotees were devoid of Jagannath Darshan during Rath Yatra in the past two years, we hope they will come in large numbers this year.”

Live Updates: Devi Subhadra begins her journey to Gundicha Temple in Darpadalana chariot

“However, those who cannot come to Puri for any reason, they can watch the live telecast on TV from the convenience of their home,” the King said.

The King further advised television and radio commentators to keep the Jagannath culture and tradition in mind while commentating.

The servitors of Srimandir in Puri on Thursday performed the ‘Agyan Mala Bije’ rituals for the three chariots ahead of the world-famous Rath Yatra.

After bringing the Agyan Mala from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, the senior servitors went in a procession to the three chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra and performed the rituals there. The ritual was performed on the occasion of ‘Ubha Jatra’.

As per the age-old tradition, the three chariots—Nandighosa, Taladhwaja and Darpadalana were pulled from Rath Khala to Singhadwara following the completion of the ritual. The chariots have now been kept north-faced towards the Gundicha temple.