Puri: The pilgrim town Puri is gearing for Lord Jagannath's Snana Jatra, which will be conducted on auspicious occasion of Jyestha Purnima on June 22 this year.

The ritual schedule for Snana Jatra was finalised at Chhatisah Nijog meeting yesterday.

As per the schedule, the pahandi of deities will start at 5 AM after performing Mangal Alati at 4.30 AM. After pahandi, the Mangal Alati of deities will be performed again on Snana Mandap at 9.10 AM. The Gajanan Besha or Hati Besha of Lord Jagannath will start at 3.40 PM following chhera pahanra ritual to be conducted by either Puri Gajapati Maharaja or Mudirasta (Mudiratha), who performs all Puri King's service in absence of the latter.

The 'sahanamela' darshan for devotees will continue from 7.30 PM till 10.00 PM on Snana Mandap following which the deities will be taken to Anasara house inside the Jagannath Temple for 15-day hibernation, before Ratha Jatra.

This year, the deities will stay inside Anasara house for a period of 13 days instead of 15 days, as per the Hindu almanac. The Nabajouban darshan and Ratha Jatra will be conducted on one day.

"As the Nabajouban darshan and Ratha Jatra are falling on same day this year, a rare occurrence that came after 53 years, the rituals will be performed as per 1971's Ratha Jatra schedule. The chariot pulling ritual will be held for two days. Hence, the devotees will get opportunity to pull the divine chariots of deities to Gundicha Temple from Srimandir for two consecutive days," said senior servitor Binayak Dasmohapatra.