Odisha News Today

Puri, Aug 11: Public darshan at the Jagannath Temple in Puri will remain suspended for approximately five hours on Wednesday due to the annual Chitalagi Amavasya ritual of the Holy Trinity.According to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), general darshan will be stopped after completion of the first Bhog Mandap ritual, tentatively from 2 pm to 7 pm on Wednesday.Precious ‘Chita’ To Adorn Holy TrinityChitalagi Amavasya, observed on the new moon day of the month of Shravan, is an important ritual at Srimandir. On this occasion, the foreheads of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are adorned with their respective precious ‘Chita’ ornaments.According to tradition, Lord Jagannath is adorned with a 'Heera Chita' (diamond), Lord Balabhadra with a 'Neela Chita' (blue sapphire) and Devi Subhadra with a 'Manikya Chita' (ruby).The ornaments are made of gold and precious gemstones and are traditionally worn by the deities throughout the year.Chitas Removed During Snana PurnimaThe Chitas are removed from the foreheads of the deities during Snana Purnima as a security measure. During the Rath Yatra period, the deities are adorned with Chitas made of Sal wood.On Chitalagi Amavasya, the precious ornaments are ceremonially restored to the foreheads of the Holy Trinity.Also Read: Jagannath Devotees Upset After Wooden Idols Found Abandoned On Puri BeachRitual Follows First Bhog MandapAs part of the ritual sequence, after the Bhog Mandap rituals are completed, 'Shree Devi' and 'Bhu Devi' are taken from the Ratna Singhasana to the Khataseja Ghar. The 'Jhoba Mailam' ritual is subsequently performed, following which the Jaya-Vijaya door is closed. The ritual holds a special place among the various festivals and observances followed at Srimandir.The temple administration has accordingly informed devotees about the temporary suspension of public darshan and advised visitors to plan their temple visit keeping the five-hour closure in mind.

Bhubaneswar, Aug 11: Another spell of widespread rain is likely across Odisha as a cyclonic circulation remains active over the north-west Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas, with the weather system likely to influence rainfall activity across the state.The regional centre of India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday has forecast rain across Odisha until August 16, with heavy rainfall likely at one or two places during the period.22 Districts Under Yellow AlertFor the 24-hour period from 8:30 am on August 11 to 8:30 am on August 12, the IMD has issued a Yellow Warning for heavy rainfall in 22 districts.The districts are Baleswar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada.Thunderstorms, Gusty Winds LikelyThunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds reaching 30-40 kmph are also likely at one or two places across several districts.The warning covers Baleswar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Sambalpur, Debagarh, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada.Orange Alert For Five DistrictsRainfall activity is expected to intensify on August 12-13, with an Orange Warning issued for heavy to very heavy rainfall at one or two places in Kataka, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Anugola and Dhenkanal.A Yellow Warning for heavy rainfall has also been issued for Baleswar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Sundaragada, Baragada, Debagada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, Boudh, Balangir, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada.Also Read: Odisha Braces for Week-Long Rainfall till August 16Coastal Areas To Remain RoughThe weather system is also expected to affect conditions along the Odisha coast. Winds of 35-45 kmph, gusting up to 55 kmph, are likely along the coast, while the sea is expected to remain rough.In view of the anticipated weather conditions, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea from August 11 to August 14.Rain To Continue Until August 16The IMD has forecast continued rainfall activity across Odisha until August 16, with heavy rain likely at isolated places during the period.Residents in the warned districts have been advised to remain alert, particularly during thunderstorms and periods of heavy rainfall.