Puri, Oct 15: A meeting of the Chhatisha Nijog, the traditional body of servitors of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, was held to discuss special rituals and arrangements for the upcoming holy month of Kartik. According to Puri Collector Dibyajyoti Parida, the special Kartik rituals will be observed at the Srimandir from October 22 to November 24.

During the month, the temple doors will open at 4 am every day, followed by the performance of the daily rituals. The deities will be adorned in the special Radha Damodar Besha between 6:30 am and 7:30 am. The special Bala Dhupa ritual will also be performed throughout the month.

The famous Harihara Besha of Lord Jagannath is scheduled to be held on November 16.

This year, due to a tithi kshaya (the omission of a lunar date), the sacred Panchuka period will be observed for four days instead of the usual five. Temple authorities have also indicated that the Bankachuda Besha of the deities will not be performed this year because of the loss of the Dwadashi tithi.

The special rituals during Kartik hold great religious significance for devotees, many of whom visit Puri to observe the month-long traditions and seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath.