Counting Work Temporarily Suspended Amid Heatwave and Upcoming Jagannath Festivals

The inventory and counting process of the Ratna Bhandar of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration will be temporarily suspended from Saturday and resumed again in June, informed Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhi.

Sharing an important update regarding the ongoing Ratna Bhandar inventory process, Dr. Padhi said the entire exercise has been progressing smoothly, transparently, and in accordance with the guidelines approved by the Odisha Government.

“A Divine Experience,” Says Arabinda Padhi

Dr. Padhee described the Ratna Bhandar counting process as a “divine experience” for everyone associated with it.

He stated that the work has been possible due to the blessings of Lord Jagannath, along with the guidance of the Gajapati Maharaja, support from the high-level and management committees, and cooperation from the district administration, police officials, associated officers, and servitors.

According to him, the process has been carried out with complete transparency and proper coordination among all stakeholders.

Counting Work to Continue on May 23

The SJTA chief administrator informed that the counting work scheduled for May 23 would continue as planned under the existing arrangements.

However, from the following day, the present phase of the Ratna Bhandar inventory process will be temporarily halted.

Decision Taken Keeping Heatwave and Festivals in Mind

Officials said the decision was taken considering several factors, including:

• Severe heatwave conditions across Odisha
• Increasing crowd of devotees at the temple
• Upcoming festivals of Lord Jagannath
• Preparations for Snana Purnima and Rath Yatra

Dr. Padhee said planning for the next phase of the inventory process would require further discussions and coordination.

Meetings of Nijogs and Committees to Begin Next Week

He further informed that meetings of the Chhatisha Nijog, management committee, and various sub-committees would be held continuously from next week to plan the next phase of the inventory process.

The Ratna Bhandar counting and inventory exercise is considered one of the most significant and sensitive administrative activities associated with the Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Inventory Process to Restart in June

Following the temporary suspension, the next phase of the Ratna Bhandar counting process is expected to restart in June after completion of planning, coordination, and festival-related arrangements.

Temple authorities have assured that the process will continue in a systematic and transparent manner in the coming phase as well.

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Puri, Odisha: As the sacred city of Puri prepares for the grand Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 on June 27, activities have intensified at every level—from the finishing touches on the chariots to the deployment of a robust security network. The world-famous chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra draws lakhs of devotees each year, and the administration is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the event unfolds smoothly.

Chariot Construction Nears Completion

At the Ratha Khala in front of the historic 12th-century Jagannath Temple, artisans are working day and night to complete the construction of the three majestic chariots. The Nandighosa chariot of Lord Jagannath, towering at 45.5 feet with 16 wheels, is nearly finished. The Taladhwaja for Lord Balabhadra stands at 44 feet with 14 wheels, while the Darpadalan chariot for Devi Subhadra, with 12 wheels and 43 feet in height, is also nearing completion. Traditional materials including sacred neem wood from Dasapalla and more than 1,200 meters of vibrant red, yellow, and black cloth have been used in the construction and decoration of the chariots. A chariot craftsman expressed pride in being part of this spiritual tradition, saying the team is working round-the-clock to ensure everything is ready in time.

Heightened Security After Last Year’s Controversy

In the wake of last year’s Operation Sindoor and the backlash over allowing non-sevaks to perform rituals, the Odisha administration has introduced a new, stricter security plan. Odisha Police has divided Puri into eight zones to handle inner temple cordons, traffic flow, and crowd management more efficiently. A network of 275 CCTV cameras will monitor the city, feeding live footage to an Integrated Command and Control Room. Around 10,000 police personnel from 200 platoons will be deployed across Puri, supported by drones, anti-drone systems, NSG snipers, helicopter surveillance, and coastal patrols by marine police and coastguards. DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania stated that senior officers will oversee key rituals, especially during the Pahandi processions, and only authorised personnel will be allowed near the deities.

Ritual Calendar Finalised by Temple Authorities

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), in consultation with spiritual representatives during the Chhatisha Nijog meeting, has finalised the ceremonial schedule for the festival. The plan includes tighter control over non-sevaks’ participation during sacred rituals, a decision made to avoid crowding and preserve the sanctity of the event. The deities’ ceremonial bathing ritual, Snana Purnima, took place on June 11, and construction of the chariots began earlier on April 30, on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya.

Special Trains Announced by East Coast Railway

The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has announced 365 special trains connecting Puri with major cities such as Rourkela, Sambalpur, Visakhapatnam, and Gondia. This is a significant increase from 315 special trains last year. Additional trains have also been arranged to facilitate travel for events like the Gundicha Yatra, Sandhya Darshan, and Bahuda Yatra scheduled for July 5.

Surge in Pilgrim Influx and Accommodation Demand

Every year, between four to five lakh pilgrims visit Puri during the Rath Yatra. This year, a massive early influx has already caused high demand for hotel rooms, lodges, and dharamshalas. In response, the Odisha government has rolled out the Shree Jagannatha Dham mobile app, offering real-time updates on queue status at the temple, Mahaprasad availability, and crowd flow to help pilgrims plan their visit more effectively.

Chief Minister Reviews Preparations

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited Puri on June 22 to review the preparations personally. He stressed the importance of coordination among departments and instructed officials to ensure that no untoward incident occurs during the festival. His visit has boosted confidence among both local authorities and citizens, as the town prepares to welcome devotees from across the world.

Global Attention on Puri’s Spiritual Celebration

The Jagannath Rath Yatra is not just a religious procession but a global spiritual event that showcases India’s cultural and devotional richness. With dignitaries and tourists from around the world expected to attend, the festival is once again set to put Puri on the global spiritual map. Local businesses, hoteliers, shopkeepers, and transport operators are already witnessing a surge in activity, reflecting the economic boost that comes along with this grand annual celebration.

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