: Nabakalebara, the biggest ever religious extravaganza associated with Lord Jagannath, got underway with a large contingent of servitors formally sent for searching suitable timber for new statues of deities.
Nabakalebara is being celebrated this year after a gap of 19 years. It is expected to draw over 50 lakh devotees from all over India and outside.
Dibya Singh Dev, who is considered king of Puri, gave traditional command to members of the Banajag Jatra team. Over the next one-and-a-half months, the team will search for suitable Neem logs for the statues.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We have made elaborate arrangements for the large contingent, which would cover 60 km distance barefoot,” said Suresh Mohapatra, chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration. Mr. Mohapatra appealed to the people not to obstruct the Banajaga Jatra team.
After suitable timbers are traced, it will be brought to Puri where new statues of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Sudarshan will be made.