International Jai Shri Jagannath Day Celebrated
On April 14, coinciding with Odia New Year, Pana Sankranti, Mahavir Jayanti, and Mahabishuba Sankranti, International Jai Shri Jagannath Day was celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm at Town Hall, Puri, under the guidance of Shri Janardhan Pattajoshi Mahapatra, Nayak of Shrimandir Chhatisha Nijoga, and Shri Neelamani Guru, Secretary of Shrimandir Paika Nijoga.
As part of the celebrations, students from the Institute of Digital Media Technology presented a creative depiction of Lord Hanuman, where an image of Lord Jagannath and Goddess Lakshmi was shown within Hanuman’s chest – symbolizing his unwavering devotion. According to religious scriptures, Lord Jagannath is also considered an incarnation of Lord Ram, and Hanuman is revered as his greatest devotee who continues to protect the Jagannath Temple.
On this occasion, a blood donation camp was organized in collaboration with the Cuttack branch of the Indian Red Cross Society and the International Council for Education, Employment & Empowerment, during which 36 units of blood were collected. Many people voluntarily came forward to donate blood. The event was coordinated by Dr. Bikash Prasad, volunteer Padma Lochan Mahapatra, and his team.
To promote Jagannath culture and heritage, a quiz competition was conducted at noon for school children, managed by Chandravijay Mishra. Many students from various schools in Puri actively participated. Mr. Mishra also entertained the children and awarded prizes to the winners. Numerous parents, teachers, and educators also took part in the event.
In the concluding segment, the Guru Debabrata Das Foundation organized a cultural program featuring Dashavatara Dance and Mahari Dance performances. Young students showcased their talents through singing and dancing, captivating the audience and earning awards for their performances.
Chants of “Jai Shri Jagannath” echoed through the venue, filling the atmosphere with spiritual fervor. The celebration concluded with the lighting of the evening lamp, marking a divine and successful closure to the event.
