Bhubaneswar: Devotees of Mahaprabhu Jagannath will be deprived of the Nabayouban Darshan this year. A decision in this regard was taken by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
Nabayouban Darshan and Netra Utsav are usually observed on two separate days preceding Rath Yatra. However, during Rath Yatra, utmost priority will be placed on ensuring the safety and convenience of devotees, informed a senior official of SJTA
This year, the Rath Yatra is on July 7. The deities ‘Nabayouban Darshan’ and ‘Netra Utsav’ also fall on the same day. Such a rare convergence was witnessed last time in 1971 and 1909.
Since Rath Yatra, ‘Nabayouban Darshan’ and ‘Netra Utsav’ are falling on the same day, a huge crowd at Srimandir is expected. Keeping this in view, the SJTA has decided to not allow devotees to have ‘Nabayouban Darshan’. Besides, there will be no Pahandi tickets and devotees will not be allowed into Srimandir.
“This year, there will be no Pahandi ticket darshan. As ‘Nabayouban Darshan’ and ‘Rath Yatra’ are falling on the same day, no devotee will be allowed into the temple. Devotees will have a darshan of deities at the Lion’s Gate (Singha Dwar) when they come out of the sanctum sanctorum in ‘pahandi’.” informed Madhab Pujapanda, temple management committee member.
According to Jagannath culture experts , Nabayouban Darshan’ refers to the youthful reappearance of deities who have kept themselves confined to ‘Anasara Gruha’ or a quarantine room after ‘Snana Purnima.’ The deities – Bhagwan Jagannath, Bhagwan Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra – fall sick due to taking excessive baths during ‘Snana Purnima’ and therefore, remain indoors.
This year, Snana Purnima Yatra Utsav was observed on June 22. Lakhs of devotees witnessed the holy Snana Yatra. During the Snana Yatra, Bhagwan Jagannath, Bhagwan Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra were given holy showers with 108 pots of water. On the same day evening, the deities fell sick due to heavy showers and are now on a 15-day quarantine in Anasara Gruha.
Shri Jagannath Temple managing committee in its meeting also approved the Rath Yatra schedule prepared and proposed by Chhatisha Nijog and and the sub-committee for temple rituals.
On July 7, rituals will begin with Mangal Alati at 2 AM and Netra Utsav Bandhapana will be performed at 4 AM. The Daitapati servitors will carry out Chhenapatta Lagi Seva from 7.30 AM to 12 PM.
As per the prepared schedule, Bhagwan Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Bhagwan Balabhadra will be brought from the sanctum sanctorum to their respective chariots in the ‘pahandi bije’ ritual between 1.10 PM and 2.30 PM, when the devotees will finally be able to catch a glimpse of the Lords after Snana Purnima on June 22.
Chhera Pahanra by Puri Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb is scheduled for 4 PM. The devotees will start pulling the chariots at 5 PM. The chariot pulling will be halted at 6 PM and resumed the following day.
