Puri, June 10: Devotees will not be allowed entry into the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri until 2 PM today, as temple authorities carry out the sacred Senapata ritual, a key ceremony in the lead-up to the Snana Yatra and Ratha Yatra festivals.
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The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) made the announcement on Monday, explaining that the temple would remain closed due to the observance of essential pre-festival rituals. The temple gates were closed following the Pahuda ritual after last night’s Ratra Alati, and will reopen after today’s Senapata ceremony, which takes place on the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Shukla Chaturdashi Tithi.
The Senapata ritual is a deeply significant tradition in which the Daitapati servitors believed to be descendants of Lord Jagannath’s original tribal devotees dress the deities in Senapata Bastra, a ceremonial attire made from sacred Baula wood. This symbolic “divine armour” is believed to spiritually fortify the deities in preparation for their upcoming public appearances, particularly during the Snana Yatra on June 11.
The ritual not only reflects the spiritual sanctity of the lead-up to the Ratha Yatra, Odisha’s most iconic chariot festival, but also highlights the deep-rooted cultural and traditional heritage that continues to define the religious life of Puri.
The SJTA has requested the public’s cooperation during this sacred period and emphasized the importance of maintaining the sanctity of these pre-festival ceremonies.
