| Sunday , March 29 , 2015 |
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Idol wood search begins today | |
| Subhashish Mohanty | |
 Sand sculptor Sudarshan Patnaik with his creation dedicated to the banajaga yatra that will begin from Puri on Friday. Picture by Sarat Patra Devotees from across the state have started reaching the holy town to witness the yatra. Internationally renowned sand artist Sudrashan Patnaik has paid tribute to the yatra by carving the deities in sand on the Puri beach. The sand sculpture drew devotees and tourists in large number. Nearly 150 servitors will be a part of the banajaga yatra that is set to reach Maa Managala Temple after trekking a distance of 60km before launching the search for the sacred wood. Chief temple administrator Suresh Chandra Mahapatra said: "All preparations for the yatra have been completed. Yatra team leader and other members have been nominated." The temple administration today announced names of daitapatis, who will act as Biswabasu and Vidyapati for the banajaga yatra. They play a major role in finding the right wood for making the idols. Biswabasu was the tribal king who was one of the first devotees of Lord Jagannath, who is often described as a tribal deity. On the other hand, Vidyapati married the daughter of Biswabasu and was also a great devotee of Lord Jagannath. According to the announcement, Binayak Dasmohapatra was appointed as Biswabasu and Narsingha Pati Mohapatra was named as Vidyapati. Earlier, the temple management had named Haladhar Dasmohapatra as the yatra team leader. Daitapati Binayak Dasmohapatra said: "A great responsibility has been bestowed on me. I will try to do my best with all dedication and devotion." Puri police have also made elaborate arrangements to provide foolproof security to the banajaga yatra team. "A police party under the leadership of an additional superintendent of police will follow the team and will be responsible for providing the security to them. They will also follow strict discipline and austerity like the members of the banajaga team. Stress will be laid on ensuring smooth flow of traffic during the yatra," said Puri police chief Ashish Singh. Nearly 22 platoons of police will be engaged for the purpose. The team will leave the Jagannath temple in the evening tomorrow and will stay at the Jagannath Ballabh Mutt in the town. On March 30 midnight, they will leave for Puri. On April 3, they will perform the necessary rituals at the Maa Mangala temple and the next day they will set out in search of the tree sacred tree to extract the wood for making the idols. The entire exercise is likely to be completed by May 15. The rath yatra, during which the new idols of the deities will be on display, will be held on July 18. |
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