Puri (Odisha), July 3 (FN Representative) A team of senior Daitapatis and Pati Mahapatra servitors of the Sri Jagannath temple on Wednesday apprised the Gajapati King about the recovery of Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra, and their sister Devi Subhadra from sickness. The servitors, in a Ghanta, Chhata, and Kahali procession, went to Sri Nahar (the royal palace) located alongside the Badadanda near the Srimandir in a ceremony called “Rajprasad Bije.” They informed the Gajapati King, considered the foremost servitor of Lord Jagannath, about the recovery of the deities from fever in the Anasarghar (sick room) of the temple.
They said that after the administration of Phuluri oil and Dasmula Oushadhi, the deities are recovering. The deities have changed their sick clothes from white to coloured ones and have been made to sit on platforms called “Chaka Bije.” They informed the Gajapati King that the deities would be ready to ride their respective chariots to the Gundicha temple on a nine-day sojourn starting July 7. The deities had been in the sick house, supposedly suffering from fever after the grand bath on the Snan Purnima. They were put on a fruit diet while the temple Vaidya (physician) treated them with herbs and oils. At the same time, Daita servitors carried out some secret rituals in the Anasarghar. The Gajapati advised the servitors that since a rare situation, as per the temple almanac, falls after an elapse of 53 years, the Netra Utsav, Nabajouban Vesha, and Rath Yatra will be observed on a single day, July 7.
The Gajapati said the servitors should work dedicatedly to ensure that all the rituals are observed on time as per the prescribed schedule. He said, “We are glad that the President Droupadi Murmu, will witness the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings this year,” and asked all concerned servitors to execute their duties on time. This will be the first such occasion when the President will participate in the Rath Yatra, the Gajapati said. He also informed that the Justice Arijit Pasayat committee is expected to have its meeting on July 5 and stated that the initiative to open the Bhitar Ratna Bhandar (inner treasury compartment) of the temple may be taken. After recovering from the sickness, the deities will be accorded Banaklagi Seva (facial makeup) to give them a rejuvenated, youthful look, temple sources said.