Community feast at Puri temple

BHUBANESWAR: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has decided to feed over 2 lakh pilgrims in Puri on June 27 as part of the last rites of the deities, who would be buried on June 15.

"Daitapati Nijog of the temple will perform the last rites and arrange the feast," SJTA's spokesperson Laxmidhar Pujapanda said.

The Mahaprasad to be served free of cost would cost the temple administration around Rs 1 crore and it has appealed to people for donations. "Daitapati Nijog might support us financially. Donors can deposit any amount in favour of Administrator, Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, in account number 491711730 of Indian Bank (IFSC code IDIB000P057). They can also donate at the temple office," he said.

During 1996 Nabakalebara, around 5,000 pilgrims were fed inside the temple. "Since we are expecting around 2 lakh pilgrims this year, the feast will be arranged on the Grand Road," another temple officer said. tnn

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Community-feast-at-Puri-temple/articleshow/47639099.cms

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Tearful adieu to Lord Jagannath - Temple seeks donations for feast

Devotees in front of the Jagannath temple in Puri. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, June 11: Preparations are in full swing for the final Nabakalebar rituals which will see the old idols of Lord Jagannath and His siblings being buried and the "souls" being transferred to the new ones.

The soul-transfer rituals at the 12th century shirne in Puri will take place in the intervening night of June 15 and June 16.

Senior daitapatis (servitors), who take care of the daily rituals of the deities, are trying to contain their emotions. President of the Daitapati association Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra said: "Lord Jagananth is the head of our family. For us, Lord Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra are human beings. They are part of our family. Like of all of us, they, too, pass through the cycle of life and death. Following the age-old practice and custom, we will observe rituals associated with the death of family member."
On the 10th day of the burial following Hindu rituals, the servitors will tonsure their heads. On the 13th day - June 27 - the rituals will end and the daitas and the temple administration will invite people for a customary feast.
Dasmohapatra said: "In our families, we invite people on the 11th day of a death. But, in the case of the deities, we observe it on the 13th day. This is a big occasion for us as the change of idols is taking place after 19 years."

The last Nabakalebar had taken place in 1996.
The servitors and the Puri temple administration, which runs the day-to-day affairs of the temple, have decided to invite as many people as possible. The mahaprasad, the cooked food of the Shree Jagannath temple, will be served.

"We expect at least 1.5 lakh devotees on that day," said Dasmohapatra.
Providing free food to so many people is not going to be an easy task. Keeping this in view, the temple administration has sought donations from the people. Chief administrator of the temple administration Suresh Mohapatra said: "Interested persons and institutions may deposit their donations in favour of the administrator, Shree Jagannath Temple, either in the account number of 491711730 of Indian Bank (IFSC-IDIB000P057) or directly donate cash at the temple office. They can also donate money at the information centres of the temple at the Singhadwara and near Jayadev Bhavan, Bhubaneswar."

Construction of the new idols is going on the premises of the temple in secret. Servitors are beating drums and playing gongs, so that the sound of making idols does not go outside the temple. Temporary barricades have been erected using palm leaves at the Koilibai Kuntha where the idols are being made.

The state administration has urged the Centre to declare Grand Road running from Jagannath Temple to Sri Gundicha temple as a no-flying zone.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150612/jsp/frontpage/story_25227.jsp#.VXpVFCS9ZJ4

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Puri Trinity's Treyodashi Rituals on June 27

PURI:The Daitapati Nijog will observe the Treyodashi (13th day from the Brahma Parivartan) ritual on June 27.

The ‘Brahma Parivartan’ from the old deities to the new idols will be done in the night of June 15 after which, the old idols would be buried in Koili Baikuntha complex of the Jagannath temple.

As a Hindu family observes special rituals for the relatives after their death, the Daitapatis have decided to observe the Treyodashi ritual for the old deities. This was decided at a meeting of the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration, district administration and members of the Daitapati Nijog here on Thursday. The Daitapatis, who claim to be the family members of Lord Jagannath and His Siblings, and the temple administration will provide Mahaprasad and sweetmeats to one lakh devotees on the occasion at the Grand Road.

For the purpose, six lines of devotees will be formed within barricades along the Grand Road and the Mahaprasad would be distributed among them.

The Daitapati Nijog and temple administration have urged mutts, devotees and other religious organisations to donate for the feast.

Among others, temple chief administrator Suresh Mohapatra, Collector Aravind Agarwal and SP Ashish Kumar Singh were present.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Puri-Trinitys-Treyodashi-Rituals-on-June-27/2015/06/12/article2862250.ece

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Cops for no fly zone over Puri temple

Nabakalebara and Rath Yatra from air, the Odisha police have moved the Union ministry of civil aviation, seeking ban on flying of choppers and aircraft over Grand Road in Puri on three festive days.

It coincided with the Indian Navy deciding to position a helicopter in Puri for aerial patrolling for the first time during Rath Yatra, police said.

"We have written to Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security to declare the air space above Jagannath Temple and 3-km Grand Road as no fly zone' for safety reasons. We have sought restriction for July 18 Rath Yatra, July 26 Bahuda Yatra (return car festival) and July 27 Suna Besha," ADG (law and order) Binayanand Jha told TOI.

Director of Biju Patnaik International Airport here Sharad Kumar said the AAI has sought some information from the state government about possible threats from the air route and logic behind seeking the restriction.

"Since Nabakalebara will be observed after 19 years, curiosity among pilgrims is at its peak. There are rich people, who might use choppers or aircraft to catch aerial glimpse of the festival. People might shower flowers. The actions may pose security threat," Jha said.

"But there will be no restriction on choppers, engaged for patrolling. Indian Coast Guard is likely to position three Dornier aircraft to augment air security," Jha added.

In April last year, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) had moved the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), seeking blanket ban on flying of choppers and aircraft above Jagannath Temple after a foreign tourist took aerial photographs of the shrine with the help of drone cameras and uploaded them on social media. Three months later, the DGCA rejected the SJTA's proposal, contending that it will violate laws and rules governing civil aviation in the country.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Cops-for-no-fly-zone-over-Puri-temple/articleshow/47624640.cms 

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Devotees may not be able to buy Puri chariot parts

In order to increase the income of the Hindu shrine, the Jagannath temple administration in Puri,  took a decision to sell parts of the giant , wooden chariots that are used on the day of Rath Yatra every year.

However, the effort may not get the desired response from the common devotees primarily because of the high price fixed for the parts. For example, for each wooden chariot wheel, the base price has been fixed at Rs 50,000, which is hardly affordable for a common devotee.

Similarly, the base price  for other decorative items of the chariots such as “Prava” and “Gaja” have been fixed at Rs 25,000 and Rs 10,000 a piece.

Significantly, a similar attempt was made two years back to sell off the chariot parts which turned out to be a damp squib. Very few buyers had come forward to take part in the process and only 19 out of 107 chariot wheels have been sold, since the first attempt, according to temple authorities.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/482189/devotees-may-not-able-buy.html

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Govt records on past seven Nabakalebara festivals to be put on display

BHUBANESWAR: Massive conservation plans for important Government document and records have been drawn up by the Culture Department.

In view of Nabakalebara of the Trinity at Jagannath temple in Puri, an exhibition hall will be opened on the Archives premises where all Government records available on the past seven Nabakalebara festivals (1863, 1893, 1931, 1950, 1969, 1978 and 1996) will be put on display.

On the occasion of the International Archives Day on Tuesday, a state-of-the-art conservation laboratory will be opened at the Odisha State Archives, which will be used for preservation of paper records collected over the years by the institution.

In the first phase, over six lakh records in shape of volumes, loose sheets, files, old gazettes, maps and newspapers housed in the Archives would be conserved at the laboratory. All these records belong to the period of 1803 to 1963 containing valuable information on the freedom struggle, creation of Odisha province, natural calamities, first settlement in the State and account of the social customs prevailing during the earlier time such as Sati and human sacrifice.

“Some of the records of historical value have been acquired from private sources such as the kings, zamindars, religious institutions and freedom fighters. Many of these have been collected from various offices such as the Governor’s secretariat, district collectorates and the subordinate offices. Preservation of these records is necessary for the State as they contain crucial information,” said head of the institution Bhagyalipi Malla. On the occasion, a workshop would be organised where students from Utkal University will get hands-on training on ways to preserve records. “The attempt is to make the youngsters realise the importance of the archives. They will be taught cleaning and laminating records using simple tools,” said Malla.

Apart from inviting college students from across the State to attend workshops at the State Archives, a one-month course on the conservation process will also be initiated. “We are trying to promote the State Archives so that more people, especially youngsters, come here and read the publications to know more about the State’s heritage,” said Culture Minister Ashok Panda.

Two kiosks will also be inaugurated on the occasion where people can listen to the recordings of 28 freedom fighters of the State sharing their experiences of the freedom struggle.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Lab-on-Conserving-Paper-Records-to-Open-Today/2015/06/09/article2857255.ece

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Idol Carving Process Begins in Puri

Gajapati Dibysingha Dev handing over ‘gua’ (holy betelnut) to chief Purohit of Swotriya Brahmins | express

PURI: The process for carving the new idols of Jagannath temple here began on Friday with the Daitapatis shifting four trunks of holy neem trees (Darus) from Darugruha to the construction yard in Koili Baikuntha on the temple premises.

As per tradition, Gajapati Dibyasingha Dev handed over the ‘gua’ (holy betelnut) to the chief Purohit of Swotriya Brahmins through Rajguru giving them the permission to conduct the yajna at the Koili Baikuntha close to the idol construction site.

As part of the ‘Antah Banajaga’, 75 Swotriya Brahmins would perform the yajna that would continue till construction of the idols of four deities ends.

During the first phase of ‘Anasara’, 10 Biswakarmas would carve the images of all three deities and Lord Sudarshan as per the instruction of senior Daitapatis. After the idols are completed, the Gajapati would offer Purnahuti on Chaturdashi day of the Hindu calendar on June 15. The new idols would then be placed facing the old ones in the ‘Anasara Gruha’.

On June 15 midnight, senior Daitapatis would transfer the Holy Brahma from the old idols to the new idols and the old idols would be buried in Koili Baikuntha. The new idols would be taken out during the annual Rath Yatra scheduled on July 18.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Idol-Carving-Process-Begins-in-Puri/2015/06/06/article2851929.ece

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