Puri Srimandir Committee Finalises Kartik Niti Calendar, Covid Curbs For Shrine In Festive Season

The rituals for the ensuing Kartik Month in Srimandir was finalised by the Chhatisha Nijog Meeting on Monday.

Chaired by the chief of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Krishan Kumar, the meeting witnessed many vital decisions taken by the servitor sects.

Informing on the minutes of the meeting, Kumar said, “Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will inaugurate the Srimandir Heritage Corridor project works on October 18. So we have discussed on all the modalities among the servitors.”

As far as the rituals during the holy Kartik month is concerned, Habishyalis’ will be requested to not come to Puri due to COVID restrictions. A standard operating procedure for them will be issued in a day or two, informed Kumar.

The temple will remain off the limits for the devotees during three days of the final five-day period of the Kartik month famously called the 'Panchuka'

This apart, the 12th century shrine will also remain closed on October 15 (Dussehra) and Deepawali (November 4).

Krushna Pratihari, the Secretary of Suar Nijog said, “We have decided to close the temple on all Sundays next month (November). Likewise, the shrine will be closed for half day in the afternoon on the day of immersion (Goshani Ekadashi).”

It is worthwhile to mention here that in view of the dip in Covid-19 cases in Odisha, the State government had further relaxed curbs for darshan of the Holy Trinity at Srimandir in Puri from September 8.

The temple of the Lord Jagannath was reopened on Aug 23, 2021 for all devotees including people from outside Puri after a gap of four months.