PURI: The Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Wednesday asked members of the Chatisha Nijog to guard all the entrance gates of Jagannath temple on ‘Nabajouban Darshan’ day on July 17 for preventing entry of outsiders.
Temple Chief Administrator, Suresh Chandra Mohapatra said the Chatisha Nijog members would help security personnel in identifying family members of servitors who have been allowed to witness the ‘Nabajouban Besha’ of the Trinity.
Earlier on Tuesday, the SJTA had decided that servitors of the Jagannath temple and their family members, who would be associated with temple rituals in the future, will be allowed to have ‘Nabajouban Darshan’ of the Trinity. Prior to that, SJTA had announced that the ‘darshan’ would not be allowed for public in order to avoid rush inside the Jagannath temple.
“Only temple servitors and their family members will be allowed to enter the temple on Friday to witness the Nabajouban Besha of the Trinity and Chatisha Nijog members will help security personnel on guard outside the temple gates in identification,” Mohapatra told mediapersons here on Wednesday.
Fire Safety Drill
With just two days to go for the Rath Yatra, hectic preparations are on to ensure safety and security of the devotees visiting the town for the mega event.
On Wednesday, hundreds of firemen participated in a mock-drill to prevent possible fire accidents during the fete. They also gave tips to scores of volunteers to fight fire in case one occurs. With deployment of about 10,000 police personnel, hundreds of firemen with their machines, several units of RPF, GRP personnel, marine police, coast guard and Navy, this is the biggest ever security arrangement made by State administration for Rath Yatra, said Soumendra Priyadarshi, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for Nabakalebara and Rath Yatra.
Book Release
Noted flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia unveiled a research book on Alarnath Dev at a function here on Wednesday in presence of musician Prafulla Kar and Jagannath temple priest, Sidhheswar Mahapatra. Chaurasia revealed that he is a native of Brahmagiri and proud to be from Odisha.
About 20 research scholars had contributed their work for the book which has been edited by Minister of State for Food Supplies, Sanjay Dasburma.