Discussions were also held over installation of Lord Jagannath's idol inside the first ever Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi as well as in Middle East which is under construction now. The event was organised by Prabasi Odia Samaj (POSA) at the Indian Embassy Auditorium in Abu Dhabi.
"The Odias here want to an idol of Lord Jagannath in the first ever Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi as well as in Middle East which is currently under construction," said Deb while talking to OTV.
"The members of the organising committee engaged in the construction of the temple in Abu Dhabi have also agreed to install an idol of Lord Jagannath in it," he added.
Puri King Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb also unveiled a book on Lord Jagannath during the function. Deputy Chief Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi Smita Pant along with many prominent Odias residing in Abu Dhabi attended the function.
Speaking to media persons after the managing committee meeting of the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), chief administrator Pradipta Kumar Mohaptra said, “Damages caused by Cyclone Fani to the Srimandir and Gundicha temple was the main topic of the discussion. Because of negligence by ASI, the scaffolding fell down causing damage to idols. The Superintending Archaeologist has begged an apology.”
Earlier, the Puri King had held the ASI responsible for the damages to the lion idols of the main temple. He had stated that as the iron scaffoldings were not removed prior to Cyclone Fani, the idols were damaged.
Besides, the temple managing committee decided to permit the ASI to take photographs of the 'Nilachakra' by drone cameras.
“Amid media reports of damages to the Nilachakra, we have decided to review the situation, so the ASI has been asked to take photographs using drone cameras. The photographs taken by drones will be used for technical rectification of the Nilachakra,” Mohapatra added.
The managing committee also decided to issue identity cards for the ASI staff like the ones issued to temple employees. A decision was also taken to replace the idols of Jay-Vijaya at the Singhadwara.
Mohapatra added that the potters or kumbhakaras affected by Cyclone Fani will be given cash assistance of Rs 8,500 each.
Following the Srimandir Managing Committee meeting today, Puri Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb said that Deba Snana Purnima will be conducted as per the rituals inside the temple premises at the Meghanad Pacheri with limited number of servitors, while the temple will be completely out of bound for the devotees.
#Puri Srimandir will remain out of bounds for devotees in view of the #coronavirus situation. #SnanaYatra rituals to be held inside temple premises at the Meghanad Pacheri with limited number of servitors: Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb #Odisha
— OTV (@otvnews) May 30, 2020
"The current situation doesn’t allow us to permit participation of devotees in any of the rituals. However, Srimandir administration has made necessary arrangements with regard to darshan of the Holy Trinity. The I&PR department will make arrangements for live telecast and webcast of Snana Yatra rituals and share the feed with media houses. I request all the devotees in Odisha, India and across the globe to stay safe at home and watch the telecast on TV," Deb said.
"The managing committee is of the opinion that there will be no congregation of devotees this year. If like every year, lakhs congregate to take part in the festival, it will have an unimaginable impact. All servitors will adhere to government guidelines, follow quarantine rules and other restrictions to minimise the COVID risk," he said.
“As far as holding Rath Yatra is concerned, the State government will take a decision but it will not be possible to allow devotees to gather near Puri Badadanda amid this crisis,” the Puri Gajapati said.
"Unwanted crowding is avoidable in Puri Bada Danda (Grand Road). The government should ensure that entry of people into Puri is restricted, may be then we can conduct the festival in a controlled manner. Whatever is being discussed and decided is for conduct of rituals at Puri Srimandir only, " Deb mentioned.
It is to be noted that East Coast Railway has terminated trains to and from the pilgrim city of Puri. Purushottam Express and Puri-Sealdah Duronto Express will short terminate at Bhubaneswar railway station, informed ECoR.
Also Read: Puri Rath Yatra: Ritual Timings Of Snana Purnima Finalised
Also Read: ‘’Hopeful Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra Will Be Organised’
The Gajapati was responding to a letter of DharmendraPradhan in which the Union Minister had urged to the former to launch and lead a fundraising drive for Srimandir in the lines of Nidhi Samarpan Abhiyan for Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
“While expressing my gratitude for your valuable suggestions and support, I wish to assure you on behalf of Shri Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee as well as myself personally, that we will sincerely take every possible step for the all-round development of Shreemandira and Shreekshetra in the interest of countless devotees around the world and for reviving the pristine glory of our ancient cultural heritage,” Gajapati wrote in his letter.
The king also emphasised that historical undertaking requires the whole-hearted support of both State and Central government as well as devotees in Odisha and around the world.
“I have no doubt that this will be possible since, as our history has shown, there can be no greater unifying and rallying force than the call to serve the Lord Supreme,” he said.
He further stated that the State Government has initiated Shreemandira Parikrama and several other development projects with the objective of transforming Shri Jagannatha-dhama Puri into one of the foremost religious, spiritual and cultural centres of the world.
(Edited Suryakant Jena)