Puri, June 25: For the first time in 53 years, the Nabajaubana Darshan, Netra Utsav, and Rath Yatra will all take place on the same day, July 7. This rare coincidence has altered the traditional schedule of events.
Typically, the Agyanmala of the Trinity is brought out a day before Nabajaubana to signal the chariots' movement toward the Lions Gate. However, this year's unique alignment changes the procedure.
"With Nabajaubana and Rath Yatra occurring simultaneously, the time available for the servitors to perform the secret Sriranga Seba ritual, Netra Utsav, and other necessary ceremonies before Rath Yatra is significantly reduced. As a result, the Nabajaubana darshan of the Trinity will not be permitted this year," explained Daitapati servitor Binayak Dasmohapatra.
A similar situation arose in 1971, necessitating a two-day chariot pulling event. For this year's Rath Yatra, the 1971 schedule will be adopted. On July 6, the Agyanmala of Pati Dian, instead of the Trinity, will be brought out to direct the chariots toward the temple, as the deities will still be inside the Anasara Ghara for the secret rituals.
On July 7, the deities will be brought to the chariots in a ceremonial procession (Pahandi) at 2:30 pm. The subsequent rituals on the chariots, including Cherra Pahanra, will take three to four hours, meaning the chariots will start moving around 7 pm or 8 pm, covering a short distance on that day. The next day, the chariots will be pulled to Gundicha Temple, allowing devotees the rare opportunity to pull the chariots twice this year, Dasmohapatra added.
