Puri: In the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic, devotees will miss the rare ‘Anabasar’ darshan of Lord Alarnath at Brahmgiri in the district during the ‘Anasara’ period of Lord Jagannath and his siblings.
The district administration has decided to impose Section 144 of CrPC around the shrine to prevent public gathering and entry into the temple, Sub-collector Bhabataran Sahoo informed following a meeting with servitors and local tehsildar on Tuesday.
“Prohibitory orders under section 144 will remain in force since ‘Anasara’ period till Ratha Yatra. Police forces will be deployed along with additional magistrate. Barricades will be erected around the temple. I appeal to the public to cooperate with the administration for the smooth conduct of rituals, said Bhabataran Sahoo, Puri Sub-collector.
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The servitors are also prepared to perform the rituals of the lord smoothly without the participation of devotees.
“The doors of the temple will be opened at 4 am followed by Mangala Alati, Abakash and Ballaba Dhupa rituals. Sakala Dhupa will be held at 12 noon which will be followed by Pahuda at 3 pm. Sandhya Arati will begin at 6 am and Sandhya Dhupa at 8 pm. Similarly, Bada Singhar Besha will be performed at 9. 30 pm,” said Narayan Pujapanda, a servitor at Alarnath temple.
Devotees usually make a beeline in front of the shrine to have a glimpse of the Lord's ‘Anabasar Darshan’ during the Anasara period of Lord Jagannath and his siblings every year.
It is believed that Lord Jagannath manifests as Lord Alaranath and pays darshan to his devotees while he is unwell following the ceremonial bath on Snana Purnima at Srimandir in Puri.
The district administration has also made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of Snana Yatra rituals in Puri without public participation. Prohibitory orders under Section 1444 will also be in force at the temple to prevent public gathering.
The restrictions will come into effect at 10 pm tonight and will continue till June 25, the Sub-collector said.
The district administration has mobilised 35 platoons of forces for the security of the mega event.
Similar restrictions had been imposed last year also due to Covid pandemic situation.