Puri: Silkworms will not be killed to prepare fabric for deities of Sri Jagannath temple

"On an experimental basis some silk woven attire have been made by keeping the silk worms alive. This is an appreciable move . Our objective is not to kill any insects to make a product that would be used by the deities,’’ Odisha Chief Secretary and Working Chairperson of Shree Jaganath temple Administrtion P K Jena said after a preparatory meeting on preparations for the coming Ratha Yatra.

State handloom directorate has produced 88 metre length of silk Khandua in a special process without killing the silk worms.

It was resolved to use this product in the rituals.

The meeting approved the festival schedule from Rajendravishekh ritual till Niladri Bije(concluding of fete) prepared jointly by the sub committee for rituals and Chhatisha nijog.

On June 4, Snan yatra(bathing ritual) day darshan of deities atop the snan vedi will continue after the ceremonial pahandi of deities from Garbhagruha to Bathing altar was over. However devotees are barred to touch the deities. Devotees will witness the famous Hati Vesha in the evening.

This apart efforts are on to complete the establishment of Gurukul schools meant for wards of temple servitors by 2024-25 academic session.

Parikrama project will be completed in the given time frame informed the chief secretary PK Jena.

(With UNI inputs)