The SJTA in its report stated that a permanent chief administrator has been appointed and for the propagation of Jagannath Culture, a school and a Gurukul have been set up for the children of the servitors.
The state’s apex court also directed the government to form the committee within a period of 60 days from the date when the SJTMC will approach them.
Amicus curiae N K Mohanty’s report is based on the petition filed by a person regarding the safety of the Nata Mandap and the Jagamohan of Puri Srimandir.
In 'Banakalagi' ritual, fresh coats of herbal colours are applied to the deities by Dattamohapatra servitors. Four main colours black, white, red and yellow are used for this.
The ritual of the deities should have been observed after the Niladribije ritual. But it couldn’t be held due to a dispute over the day of the ritual between the Dattamohapatra servitors and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
Puri Shankaracharya said that it would not be appropriate to comment on the matter as no one- the Managing Committee, the SJTA, the Odisha government or the servitors- has not sought his views.
Starting from devotees to Srimandir Managing Committee members, many have demanded that prior to the repair work of Ratna Bhandar, the inventory of the ornaments should be done.
At the Niti (ritual) sub-committee meeting held on July 28, it was decided that the decision regarding the ‘Banakalagi’ ritual would be taken at the management committee meeting. Since the meeting has been postponed, it is certain that the impasse will continue, at least for some more days.
The Srimandir’s treasure trove was opened in 1978 and then the ornaments were counted. Then it was estimated that the Ratna Bhandar had 149 kilograms 460 grams gold and 184 kilograms of silver.
It was expected that something positive with respect to the ritual would come out of the Niti sub-committee’s meeting today. But the meeting ended without any consensus.
Even on Thursday, the Banakalagi ritual of Lord Jagannath and his siblings at Srimandir in Puri could not be conducted, leaving the devotees dejected.
The members of different nijogs gave their suggestions. To analyse the suggestions, a sub-committee has been formed.
The Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Ranjan Das on Thursday supported the Daitapati Nijog’s demand for dress code for devotees visiting the 12th-century shrine.
According to the SJTA Chief Administrator most of the rituals in Srimandir are getting delayed due to the ongoing ‘Bhitara Chandan Yatra.'
Ranjan Kumar Das, Special Secretary, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department with additional charge of Director, Odia Language, Literature and Culture, has been appointed as the Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, Puri.
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