Puri, Sept 2: The ritual timings for the September 7 lunar eclipse at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri was approved in the Chhatisha Nijog Committee meeting held here on Tuesday, informed District Collector Divyajyoti Parida.

On September 7, the doors of Srimandir will open at 2:00 AM, followed by Mangala Alati at 2:40 AM. All rituals are scheduled to conclude by 12:30 PM, the District Collector said.

The meeting approved the detailed “Nitikanti” (rituals) for the eclipse day, including the sacred Mahasnana (ritual bath) to be performed after the eclipse touch. The schedule ensures that all religious observances are completed in a timely and disciplined manner.

A key focus of the meeting was crowd management for Dhadi Darshan, a queue-based darshan for devotees. Officials discussed trial implementation to streamline the experience for devotees and reduce congestion. All Nijog representatives participated in the planning, and further discussions will be held in tomorrow’s operational committee meeting.

In a stern move, the temple administration has decided to take strong action against organizations running fake websites offering online puja and darshan services in the name of Lord Jagannath. The administration is coordinating with police to identify and shut down these fraudulent platforms.

District Collector Parida emphasized the importance of maintaining sanctity and discipline during the eclipse rituals, and ensuring that devotees are not misled by unauthorized digital services.

The Chhatisha Nijog is a body composed of various servitor groups and other stakeholders, making it a crucial forum for discussions on temple ceremonies and the smooth execution of festivals like the Rath Yatra.

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