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Today is Akhyaya Trutiya, the day on which Jagannatha's Chandana Jatra starts. Puri has been terribly ravaged by cyclone. Despite all, the sebayatas will do everything possible. This dedication and resilience is why the Temple has survived hundreds of attacks and calamities.
There will be insufficient bhoga, almost none of the decorations, the route might not be clear— but nīti will not be disturbed. The bimānas will be carried to Narendra, the chāpa will be done. If there's one thing I know: Puri never falls back from its duty towards Jagannatha.
As much as everyone loves to scold the pandās, do take a moment to acknowledge this dedication and effort too. There are many many sebayatas— one bunch are unruly. Many work for hours together without remuneration too, out of sheer dedication to keep the grand institution moving.
Whatever Odias might be guilty of, collectively we have never forsaken Jagannatha— whether you look at it in terms of culture, sociology, psyche, whatever. Perhaps that is why we are still around. He is the backbone of our identity. Without, we shall be nowhere—Never forget that.
