The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has announced that the repair and conservation work at the Ratna Bhandar, the treasure room of Puri’s iconic Srimandir, will be temporarily suspended on April 10 and 11, 2025.
This decision is to accommodate the special Dayana Lagi ritual, an integral part of the temple’s tradition.
Dayana Lagi, celebrated on Chaitra Sukla Trayodasi and Chaturdasi Tithis, commemorates Lord Jagannath forcefully plucking Dayana leaves from Lord Indra’s Nandana garden. The festival, also known as Damanaka Chaturdasi, involves a procession of deities like Lord Rama and Lord Krishna to Jagannath Ballabha Matha to discreetly collect Dayana leaves. On the 14th day, these leaves are formally offered to the deities, marking a significant part of the festivities.
Given the importance of this unique ritual, SJTA decided to halt the Ratna Bhandar renovation work to prioritize religious ceremonies. The suspension highlights the cultural and spiritual essence of the temple, which draws devotees from across the globe.
