Misleading representation of almanac to invite action: Puri Srimandir admin

Decisive measures will be taken against the wrongdoers if any misleading information is found in the Odia Panjikas (almanacs), Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator, Arabinda Padhee announced on Tuesday. This follows an important meeting aimed at ensuring coordination for the temple's annual events.

During discussions, participants examined five manuscripts of the almanac and reached a consensus on the key dates related to the rituals at the temple. A detailed list of rituals has been officially approved to verify that no mistaken information is disseminated.

Also Read: Odia almanac dates: Puri SJTA holds meeting to resolve discrepancies

The SJTA has received manuscripts from Radha Raman, Kohinoor, and Arunodaya almanacs, along with those from Bhagya Deep and GN Tripathi Panjika publication houses.

“To curtail any disparities among the almanacs relating to rituals at the Jagannath temple, a harmonisation meeting was held and a consensus was struck. If any misinformation is provided by them (the Panjika publication houses) after consensus has been reached, strict measures will be enforced,” said the SJTA chief, reinforcing the 12th Century Vaishnavite shrine’s commitment to accuracy in its operations.

“We have advised them to carry the temple-approved rituals in their almanacs. Confusion is being created at times by furnishing wrong or faulty information in the almanacs. We had constituted a sub-committee, led by the Administrator (Neeti), to resolve the differences. Following discussion, a consensus was reached,” the SJTA chief stated.

Must Read: Panji confusion! Will Odia almanacs strike a consensus in 2025?

“Less number of Panjika publishers came for approval in the previous years. Almanacs were thoroughly verified and corrected this time, before approval. Certainly, the almanacs for the coming year will be devoid of disparities and confusion,” Sudarsan Tripathi of GN Tripathi Publications.

“Efforts were put to avoid disparities for the first time,” said Ashish Mohapatra of Bhagya Deep almanac.