Several devotees were left disappointed over the delay in the conduct of the 'Hera Panchami' ritual, a tradition followed during Rath Yatra in Puri.
Sources said that the delay can be attributed to some administrative issues, lack of coordination, and the conduct of Madhyana Dhupa and Sandhya Alati. Goddess Laxmi was escorted from the Puri Srimandir in the palanquin at around 3 am and the Hera Panchami ritual was conducted in the wee hours today.
As per tradition, Goddess Laxmi is carried to the Gundicha temple in a palanquin by servitors with great pomp and gaiety and a grand procession via Bada Danda after the conduct of several rituals including Maha Snana, Sarbanga, Besha, and Bandapana rituals.
"The Hera Panchami rituals were conducted near the chariot and there was a delay due to some reasons. A large number of devotees waited for long and some returned without witnessing the ritual," said senior servitor, Nabakishore Pati Mohapatra.
According to Mohapatra, we have not witnessed such delay in the conduct of the ritual which has hurt the sentiments of devotees.
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Meanwhile, the Dakhina Moda ritual (southward turn) of the three chariots of Lord Jagannath and his siblings parked outside the Gundicha temple in Puri is scheduled conducted today. This marks the beginning of the process for Bahuda Yatra, the homeward journey of the sibling deities to Srimandir.