The Shree Jagannath Temple Management Committee held a crucial meeting on Friday under the chairmanship of Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb at the temple office to finalise key decisions ahead of the annual Rath Yatra.
Chief Administrator Dr Arabinda Padhee informed that the committee approved the ritual schedule from Rajendra Abhishek to Niladri Bije. The committee also reviewed the ongoing Ratna Bhandar inventory process and decided to resume counting after Niladri Bije due to the upcoming Snana Yatra and Ghosa Yatra rituals.
The meeting discussed concerns over unauthorised “Adinaya Rath Yatras” organised by ISKCON and other groups. The Gajapati expressed displeasure and announced that a special delegation will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Niladri Bije to request a ban on such parallel events.
The committee approved new locks for the outer Ratna Bhandar and decided to shift old almirahs from the inner chamber for better access. It also cleared plans for a new information centre and reception complex near Narendra Pushkarini.
Discussions included temple land issues, amendments to the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, and progress on the Gurukul project for temple servitors. The committee warned that if OBCC fails to complete the Gurukul project on time, it will be handed over to another agency.
The committee expressed confidence that all rituals from Snana Yatra to Niladri Bije will be conducted smoothly under enhanced security arrangements.
