Rath Yatra 2017: Nabajouban darshan of deities begins in Puri

Puri: Ahead of the Rath Yatra, delay marred the conduct of the ‘Nabajouban’ darshan of the deities of Jagannath temple here on Saturday.

According to reports, there was a delay of nearly four hours in completion of several rituals before the temple gates opened for devotees for the Nabajouban darshan today. Besides, darshan by devotees was also adversely affected due to heavy rains that lashed Puri town. Devotees and commuters faced problems as they had to wade through ankle deep rain water that had accumulated on Badadanda..

Despite the delay, thousands of devotees waited in long serpentine queues to have a glimpse of the Trinity — Lords Balabhadra, Jagannath and Devi Subhadra after a gap of 15 days.

Earlier, the deities had fallen sick following the royal bath at Snana Mandap on June 9 and recovered from illness yesterday.

Dasmohapatra servitors on Friday night completed the ‘Banakalagi’ ritual while there was a delay in the ‘Srimukha Sringar’.

“The Srimukha sringar takes at least three to four hours and there was a delay in the ritual,” said Binayak DasMohapatra.

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Puri Temple officials informed that first the paramanik ticket holders were allowed to have the first darshan of the deities through the Dakshina (south) dwara of the temple. Later, the Singhadawar was opened for the devotees.

Elaborate arrangements have been made by the administration for the smooth conduct of the Nabajouban darshan with barricades being installed for maintaining discipline.