Ananda Bazaar of Jagannath temple in Odisha’s Puri to be plastic-free

Puri: Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) today decided that Ananda Bazaar of Srimandir in Odisha’s Puri will be made plastic-free soon. The decision was taken in a meeting of SJTA with the members of Chhatisa Nijog of the Vaishnavite shrine.

Mahaprasad of the Holy Trinity will not be sold elsewhere, other than Ananda Bazaar. However, a price list of the Mahaprasad will be announced at a later stage, after a decision on the rates is taken. Selling of Mahaprasad in Ananda Bazaar will be streamlined in the days ahead.

Besides, a detailed schedule for Pahili Bhog, Debabhishek Purnima, and Makar Sankranti rituals was also approved in the meeting. SJTA sought the cooperation of all servitors (Sevayats) of the shrine for a smooth and disciplined performance of the rituals.

Worth mentioning, the ambitious Srimandir Parikrama Prakalp (heritage corridor project) at the 12th-century temple will be inaugurated on January 17, 2024.

The Ankurarpan ritual will begin on January 12 and a yajna (Havan) will be held on the morning of January 15 at around 7.00 am. A team comprising of the managing committee members, the priest (Purohit) of the temple, and several others, including the Chief Administrator identified a spot where the yajna will be held. Measurement of the identified spot located at the northeast corner of the Vaishnavite shrine has been completed.

Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb will offer Purnahuti at the yajna as Karta on January 17. A Vedpath (recitation of the four Vedas) will be done at four gates (Dwaras) of the temple. Twenty-four-hourly Akhand Sankirtan will be carried out by several Sadhus. The inauguration ceremony will conclude on January 17.