Ban On Pilgrims on Puri Chariots Implemented

BY: SUN STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Lord Jagannatha's Ratha Yatra departs for Gundicha Temple

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

Jun 29, 2014 — JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA — Though Shankaracharya shunning Rath Yatra took a little sheen off the mega festival on Sunday, the Jagannath Temple administration heaved a sigh of relief as it managed to keep Daitapati priests at bay and enforced the maiden reform of banning public access onto chariots during Rath Yatra in Puri.

The Daitapati priests, who were up in arms against the restriction recommended by Shankaracharya, did not try to sabotage the reform and allowed the government officers to implement the decision.

"Thanks to the support and cooperation of Daitapati priests, we managed to implement the restriction and did not allow common public, including VVIPs to ascend the chariots. Only priests and ghantuas (cymbal beaters) were present on chariots," car festival's Special Officer Suresh Mohapatra told media persons.

Lord Jagannatha's Ratha

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

For smooth implementation of the restriction, the district administration and police made elaborate arrangements. "The chariots were cordoned off in three layers by the police before the Pahandi started. Executive magistrates were assigned to monitor the implementation. Soon after the Deities were brought onto chariots, we sealed the surrounding and allowed only genuine priests onto chariots. Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb performed his hereditary chhera pahanra service on chariots," temple's Chief Administrator Arvind Padhee said.

Daitapati priests, who had skipped a vital ritual at the royal palace a few days ago, said they cooperated with the administration for smooth conduct of the rituals as the government assured them they would provide compensation towards the financial loss they will incur due to the restriction. "Since devotees used to donate us on chariots, we faced loss. The festival's special officer has assured us to look into our demand," said a priest.

Lord Jagannatha's Ratha

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

As per guidelines, 84 members, including priests and ghantuas were allowed on Balabhadra's Taladhwaja chariot (45 ft. high), 96 on Jagannath's Nandighosa chariot (45.6 ft. high) and 72 on Subhadra's Darpadalan chariot (44.6 ft. high) during the pulling of chariots. Soon after two chariots (Taladhwaja and Darpadalan) reached Gundicha Temple, police installed metal fences around the chariots, preventing public access onto the rath cars.

In previous years the temple used to install ladders on the chariots to help pilgrims climb onto them. Though the new restriction on climbing chariots was welcomed by devotees, they were upset about not being able to touch the chariots. "We understand climbing the chariots and touching the Deities is a sin, but there should not have been any restriction on touching of the chariots," said Jitendra Mohapatra, a pilgrim.

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]