Pahandi mishap: Inquiry report incomplete, panel asked to analyse footage, says SJTA

A Pahandi Coordination Committee will be formed to avoid any kind of untoward incidents during the ‘pahandi Bije’ rituals on the occasion of the Rath Yatra in Puri, informed Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Arabinda Padhee after the completion of the Srimandir management committee meeting on Friday.

The important decision has reportedly been taken in the Srimandir managing committee meeting. Emphasis was also given to avert any kind of mishap that happened during the Adapa Bije Pahandi ritual of Lord Balabhadra on ‘Charamala’ during the last Rath Yatra in Puri.

As per the Srimandir managing committee, the report regarding the Adapa Bije Pahandi mishap is incomplete and it will be reviewed again.

“A long and detailed discussion was held about the Adapa Pahandi mishap and we heard the opinions of all. Emphasis was laid on not repeating incidents like this in future. The three-member committee has given a report about the possible causes of mishap like the use of mobile phones by the servitor, lack of coordination and fault in management issues among the senior servitors. The committee has been asked to go through the videos minutely again and give specific and pinpointed reasons for the mishap as their report is incomplete,” said Padhee.

“Meanwhile, deliberations were held in the managing committee meeting to prevent these kinds of mishaps in future. The three-member committee has specified nine points for the smooth conduct of the Pahandi ritual. The managing committee agreed upon eight proposals. Many other proposals were also given by others over the matter. The committee has proposed to allow only the required experienced servitors to take part in the Pahandi ritual and the ‘Badagrahi’ servitors of the three deities will ensure the same. It has been decided that a ‘Pahandi Coordination Team’ will be formed under the leadership of ‘Badagrahis’. A committee has been formed comprising the Collector and SP who will initiate discussions with the servitors to finalise the number of servitors to take part in Pahandi,” he further said.

“Special emphasis will be given to tie ‘Bije Dori’ on the ‘Senapata’ of the deities in a proper manner. The shape and size of the ‘Charamals’ will be increased accordingly to streamline the ‘Pahandi’ rituals. Servitors will be prohibited from using mobile phones atop the chariots. A senior authority for each deity will be entrusted with responsibilities to keep a strong vigil on the smooth conduct of the Pahandi ritual. The management committee realized that the mishap occurred due to the presence of more servitors than required atop the chariot. This will be corrected to avert any kind of mishap in future,” he added.

After the unfortunate mishap during the Adapa Mandap ‘Pahandi Bije’ ritual of Lord Balabhadra during the last Rath Yatra in Puri, there was widespread outrage among the devotees across the globe against the servitors for their alleged negligence. Subsequently, the probe committee was formed to submit its inquiry report.