Chariot fest of Jagannath to begin July 18

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Odisha's pilgrim town Puri on Wednesday approved an annual budget of Rs.239 crore for 2015-16 and announced the schedule for the "Nabakalebar" festival.

A decision to this effect was taken at a managing committee meeting chaired by Puri king Gajapati Dibya Singha Dev.

During "Nabakalebar", the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshan are replaced by a new set of idols.

As per the schedule, while the Banajaga Yatra would begin on March 29, the Rath Yatra (chariot festival) is scheduled to be held on July 18, said an official.

SJTA chief administrator Suresh Mohapatra said the "Brahma Paribartan" (infusion of soul into the new bodies of the deities) would take place on June 15 while the "Nabajaubana Darshan" (the first sight of the deities in their new bodies) would take place on July 17, a day ahead of the chariot festival.

He said Rs.239 crore budget would be spent on upgradation of infrastructure at the temple, augment lodging facilities for pilgrims visiting the town and welfare of the servitors.

The state government expects congregation of about 50 lakh people during the festival.