Raising the issue of the missing key of Srimandir Ratna Bhandar, Jashipur MLA Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia sought to know why the government is buying time to make the commission report public.
Every year, this ‘Krushna Balaram Besha’ is observed at the shrine on the “Trayodashi (thirteenth day) of “Krushna Pakshya” (dark fortnight) of lunar month of “Bhadraba”.
A minor scuffle between the policemen deployed at the southern gate and the demonstrators was witnessed when the latter tried to enter the shrine forcefully through the southern gate.
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).
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.
During the pandemic, the three doors of the temple were shut for the devotees.
The members of different nijogs gave their suggestions. To analyse the suggestions, a sub-committee has been formed.
The Committee also decided to provide Mahaprasad at Uttaradwara by Mahasuara Nijog.
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 sources, the court has served the notices to Srimandir managing committee chairman, chief administrator, Director General of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and its superintendent while hearing the petition filed by form state BJP president Samir Mohanty.
The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress are continuing their attacks on the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) over Law Minister Jagannath Saraka’s statement over the ongoing Ratna Bhandar key issue.
The main aspect of this ritual is the heavenly love and affection between Lord Jagannath and His wife Goddess Laxmi.
While replying to the queries of journalists, Law Minister Saraka said, “We don’t know whether the key has gone missing or not."
'Adhara Pana' is observed on Asadha Shukla Pakhya Dwadashi tithi, before the 'Niladree Bije' and after the 'Suna Besha'.