SJTA to open bids for live telecast rights of Rath Yatra today

Puri: Clarifying that no final decision has been taken on auctioning of the telecast rights of Rath Yatra of the Holy Trinity in the pilgrim city, chief administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) PK Mohapatra informed that the bids for the live telecast rights of the chariot festival will be opened on Monday.

After the Chhattisa Nijog meeting in the pilgrim city on Sunday, Mohapatra said the Puri temple holds the rights to telecast from Deva Snana Purnima to Niladri Bije and the temple administration is mulling to auction the telecast rights to increase its revenue.

“TV channels are getting commercials by telecasting the Rath Yatra LIVE. But the Srimandir is not getting anything. The temple administration wants to know how much the channels can quote to get the rights. However, no final decision has been taken yet. The bids will open at 4 pm on June 10,” added Mohapatra.

Meanwhile, the Chhattisa Nijog meeting finalised ritual timings for the Rath Yatra including Deba Snana Purnima and Niladri Bije. The chariot pulling will be held on July 4, whereas return journey or Bahuda Yatra is on July 12.

“Discussion held in the meeting on how rituals can be performed smoothly. The ‘pahandi’ of deities will begin at 9 am on July 4. Like every year, ‘Sandhya Darshan’ of deities will be held and no restriction will be imposed on purchase of ‘Mahaprasad’ by devotees,” said Rajat Kumar Pratihari, secretary of Garabadu Nijog.