Delay in Srimandir rituals: Niti sub-committee holds meeting 

Taking the delay in rituals of Lord Jagannath and the sibling deities at Puri Srimandir seriously, the Niti sub-committee of the temple administration held an important meeting of the servitors on Saturday to chalk out plans to avoid such delays.

The Niti sub-Committee meeting holds significance as several important events of the Holy Trinity like Debasnana Purnima, Rath Yatra, Bahuda Yatra, Suna Besa, Adhara Pana, and Niladri Bije are around the corner.

“We had a detailed discussion regarding the upcoming important events of the Holy Trinity including Rath Yatra, Bahuda Yatra, 
and Suna Besa. The chief administrator of the temple administration reviewed the suggestion given by the servitors for the smooth conduct of the rituals of the deities,” said Pradip Kumar Sahoo, collector in-charge.

“An SOP regarding the Parikrama Project will be framed. Besides, a detailed plan about the routes through which the deities will be taken outside the temple will be decided,” said Madab Mohapatra, a member of the coordination committee.

Earlier in the day, long queues were seen in front of the Singhadwara of the 12th-century shrine as devotees waited for hours to gain entry due to the delay in the ‘Dwara Phita’ or the gate opening rituals today.