Devotees of Mahaprabhu Jagannath will miss the Nabayouban Darshan in 2024, as decided by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA). Typically, Nabayouban Darshan and Netra Utsav are observed on two separate days preceding Rath Yatra. However, this year, with Rath Yatra falling on July 7, both Nabayouban Darshan and Netra Utsav are also on the same day—a rare occurrence last seen in 1971 and 1909.
Anticipating a large crowd due to this convergence, the SJTA
has decided to restrict access to Nabayouban Darshan. Additionally, there will
be no Pahandi tickets, and devotees will not be allowed into Srimandir.
Devotees can only have darshan of the deities at the Lions Gate (Singha Dwar)
when they come out of the sanctum sanctorum in pahandi.
Nabayouban Darshan marks the youthful reappearance of the
deities after being confined to the Anasara Gruha (quarantine room) following
Snana Purnima. During this period, Bhagwan Jagannath, Bhagwan Balabhadra, and
Devi Subhadra stay indoors due to falling ill from excessive baths during Snana
Purnima.
On July 7, rituals will commence with Mangal Alati at 2 AM,
followed by Netra Utsav Bandhapana at 4 AM. The Daitapati servitors will
perform Chhenapatta Lagi Seva from 7:30 AM to 12 PM. According to the schedule,
Bhagwan Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Bhagwan Balabhadra will be brought from
the sanctum sanctorum to their respective chariots in the ‘pahandi bije’ ritual
between 1:10 PM and 2:30 PM. This will be the first opportunity for devotees to
glimpse the Lords since Snana Purnima on June 22.
The Chhera Pahanra ritual by Puri Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb
is set for 4 PM, after which devotees will start pulling the chariots at 5 PM.
The chariot pulling will pause at 6 PM and resume the following day.