Devotees gather in large numbers in Puri for Mahaprabhu Jagannath's Nabajaubana Darshan
Bhubaneswar: After a 15-day period of seclusion following the Snana Purnima rituals, Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Mahaprabhu Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Sudarshan made their much-awaited appearance in their Nabajaubana (youthful) form on Tuesday, marking one of the most significant rituals ahead of the annual Rath Yatra. The sacred darshan brought immense joy to devotees, many of whom became emotional after finally catching a glimpse of the deities following the traditional Anasara period.
For countless devotees who visit the shrine regularly, the fortnight-long separation felt much longer. As the doors of the sanctum opened for the Nabajaubana Darshan, many devotees were seen with tears in their eyes, overwhelmed by the divine sight of the rejuvenated deities.
Despite the overwhelming enthusiasm, devotees received only around two hours and fifteen minutes for Nabajaubana Darshan. The limited duration meant that thousands of pilgrims waiting inside the temple premises and at barricades outside the Singhadwara were unable to enter before the darshan concluded.
The Shri Jagannath Temple Administration had initially planned to begin darshan at 2 p.m. However, delays in the completion of Chaturdashi rituals pushed the schedule back by nearly three hours. Special paid darshan (Parimanik Darshan) commenced at around 5 p.m., while general darshan began approximately half an hour later. The temple remained open for public viewing until 7:15 p.m., after which regular temple rituals resumed.
The Jay-Vijay Gate was opened to facilitate the smooth movement of devotees, while Parimanik Darshan and Sahanamela Darshan were conducted near the Bhitara Katha area of the temple.
Intermittent rainfall throughout the day failed to dampen the spirit of devotees. More than 50,000 pilgrims are estimated to have had darshan during the limited viewing period. However, several hundred devotees had to return disappointed after the temple gates were closed.
Soon after the announcement of general darshan, a large crowd that had gathered near the three chariots rushed towards the Singhadwara barricades. Managing the sudden surge proved challenging for the police and security personnel deployed at the temple.
The Nabajaubana Darshan marks the conclusion of the Anasara period, during which the deities remain out of public view after the ceremonial Snana Purnima bath. According to temple tradition, the deities are believed to fall ill following the grand bathing ritual and undergo a period of recuperation inside the Anasara Ghara.
Devotees described the first glimpse of the deities as deeply moving, with many saying it appeared as though Mahaprabhu Jagannath, revered as Mahabahu, had stretched out His arms to embrace His devotees after the prolonged separation.
The day’s elaborate rituals began early in the morning. After the Jhuna Bahara ceremony concluded at around 8:45 a.m., Dutta Mahapatra servitors entered the temple at approximately 9:15 a.m. to perform Banakalagi.
The Khadi Prasad Bije ritual was completed around 1:35 p.m., followed by Chaka Apsara, Mangala Alati, Mailam, Abakasha Puja and the Bahuda Bije of Dashavatara Thakura. The Anasara gate was finally opened at around 4:45 p.m., after which devotees were allowed inside through the southern entrance. Once public darshan concluded, the temple resumed its regular daily rituals.
According to the Niladri Mahodaya scripture, Mahaprabhu Jagannath and the sibling deities undergo a series of confidential healing rituals during the 15-day Anasara period. These include the application of Phuluri oil, Osha Lagi, Dasamula Lagi, Sarbanga Chandan, Raja Prasada Bije, Khali Bije and Khadi Prasada Bije.
Temple tradition holds that these rituals symbolically restore the health of the deities after the ceremonial bath on Snana Purnima.
The Banakalagi service, performed late at night by the Dutta Mahapatra servitors, concludes with additional traditional rituals such as Rosha Homa, Jatrangi Mahasnana, Mailam and Tadapalagi, all carried out according to age-old temple customs.
With the successful completion of Nabajaubana Darshan, preparations have now entered the final phase for the world-famous Rath Yatra, when the sibling deities will emerge from the sanctum and embark on their annual journey to the Gundicha Temple amid the chants of millions of devotees from across the world.
Senior IPS officer Shri S.K. Priyadarshi said the Nabajaubana Darshan was conducted smoothly through the coordinated efforts of the Odisha Police and the Shri Jagannath Temple administration, and appealed to devotees to follow official advisories as preparations intensify for the upcoming Rath Yatra.
Praising the seamless coordination among all stakeholders, Priyadarshi said the successful management of Nabajaubana Darshan reflects the meticulous planning undertaken by the police and the temple administration to ensure the safety and convenience of devotees.
With lakhs of pilgrims expected to arrive in Puri for the annual Rath Yatra, he urged devotees to strictly adhere to the traffic advisory issued by the authorities and rely only on official communication channels for accurate and timely information.
“Nabajaubana Darshan was conducted smoothly through the coordinated efforts of Odisha Police and the temple administration. As Rath Yatra approaches, devotees are urged to follow the traffic advisory and rely only on Odisha Police’s official social media platforms, WhatsApp, chatbot, mobile app, and SMS alerts for authentic updates. Your cooperation will help ensure a safe, seamless, and hassle-free pilgrimage for everyone,” Priyadarshi said.
The police have appealed to pilgrims to cooperate with law enforcement personnel, follow traffic regulations and crowd management protocols, and use only verified official sources for festival-related updates to ensure the smooth and secure conduct of Rath Yatra.
In a major push to ensure seamless traffic movement and hassle-free pilgrimage during the Rath Yatra, the Puri district administration has rolled out a comprehensive technology-driven traffic management plan for this year’s festival. The initiative is aimed at efficiently managing the massive influx of devotees expected to converge on the pilgrimage town from across Odisha and the country.
As part of the enhanced traffic arrangements, the administration has earmarked 30 designated parking zones across Puri, including six newly created parking facilities, to accommodate the large number of vehicles expected during the festival. The additional parking infrastructure is intended to ease congestion and facilitate the smooth movement of pilgrims.
To strengthen traffic monitoring, authorities have deployed drone surveillance at three strategic locations, enabling real-time aerial monitoring of vehicular movement and congestion. The live feeds will help officials promptly identify traffic bottlenecks, regulate vehicle flow, and respond swiftly to emerging situations.
The Puri district police, in coordination with the traffic department, has also enhanced its digital infrastructure by introducing a dedicated mobile application, a centralised traffic control room, extensive CCTV surveillance, an AI-powered chatbot, and a bulk SMS alert system. These technology-enabled platforms will provide devotees with real-time traffic updates, route advisories, parking information, and emergency assistance throughout the festival.
The district administration has urged pilgrims, particularly those travelling from Bhubaneswar to Puri, to familiarise themselves with the traffic advisory before commencing their journey. Devotees have been advised to use the designated parking facilities, adhere to prescribed traffic regulations, and cooperate with law enforcement personnel to ensure safe, orderly, and efficient traffic management during the Rath Yatra.
Officials expressed confidence that the integrated use of technology and coordinated traffic planning would significantly enhance crowd and traffic management, ensuring a smooth and secure pilgrimage experience for lakhs of devotees expected to participate in the annual chariot festival.
