Puri, Sept 27: A meeting of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee was held at the temple office under the chairmanship of Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb. The committee decided to prepare a new set of gold ornaments for the annual Suna Besha of Lord Jagannath. The temple administration will bear the cost from its own funds. Devotees willing to contribute towards the ornaments may donate after consulting the temple administration, Chief Administrator Aravind Padhee said.
The committee reviewed videos of this year’s rituals from Snana Yatra to Niladri Bije and discussed lapses observed during the ceremonies. Measures will be taken to prevent such shortcomings during next year’s Rath Yatra.
The foundation-laying ceremony for the Sevayat Gurukul is scheduled for November. The facility will include a modern playground, auditorium, classrooms and a temple, with infrastructure to be developed through OBCC. Work on the Raghunandan Library and the development of the Pramod Udyan were also discussed.
A dedicated cell will be established at the temple office to provide accurate information on the Shri Jagannath Land Management Act, 2026.
A sub-committee headed by the Gajapati Maharaja has also been formed to promote and protect Jagannath culture and traditions. The committee will hold discussions with the Union government in Delhi on related issues.
Meanwhile, the Gundicha Temple will open for devotees from September 30, with an entry fee of ₹10. Entry will be free for the first three days, as well as for children, persons with disabilities and those above 80 years.
The committee also discussed a proposed trial of the queue-based darshan system at the Natamandir. A separate slot-based darshan facility is being planned near the North Gate for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Special entry through the North Gate will also be arranged for Puri urban residents after detailed preparations by the district administration and police.
