Puri, April 10: Renovation work at the Puri Srimandir Ratna Bhandar will be temporarily halted on April 10 and 11 due to the observance of the upcoming Dayana Lagi ritual. Sources reveal that this suspension of repairs is in line with the special religious ceremonies scheduled at the Jagannath Temple.
The Damanaka Chaturdashi ritual, dedicated to Lord Jagannath, will take place on Friday, April 11. Given the significance of the Dayana Lagi ritual, the temple's Ratna Bhandar, which houses its treasure, will be closed for maintenance and conservation during these two days, as per the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration's announcement.
Dayana Lagi, observed on Chaitra Sukla Trayodasi and Chaturdasi Tithis, commemorates the legendary event when Lord Jagannath forcefully plucked Dayana leaves from Lord Indra's Nandana garden. Also known as Damanaka Chaturdasi, the festival features a procession of deities such as Lord Rama and Lord Krishna, who journey to Jagannath Ballabha Matha to secretly collect the sacred Dayana leaves. On the 14th day of the ritual, these leaves are formally presented to the deities, marking a significant moment in the celebration.
Given the cultural and spiritual importance of this unique event, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has decided to pause the ongoing Ratna Bhandar renovation work for two days, April 10-11, to prioritize the religious ceremonies. This decision underscores the temple’s deep-rooted cultural significance and its role as a spiritual center that attracts devotees from all over the world.
