BHUBANESWAR: The sibling deities of Puri Jagannath Temple have a new resting place. On Tuesday, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Tuesday offered newly crafted Ratna Palankas – ornate bejewelled beds – to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, replacing the old ones as they have worn out.After a consecration ritual, the deities began resting on the resplendent palankas, fashioned from Burma teak and coated with silver. The beds are richly adorned with intricate designs, including embellishments carved from elephant tusks.“It is the divine grace of Mahaprabhu that we have been blessed with the sacred opportunity to witness the offering of the new Ratna Palankas in accordance with the traditional Seva Puja of Shree Jagannath Temple. Lord Jagannath embodies all human connections, and we consider ourselves immensely fortunate to be part of this holy service. I extend heartfelt gratitude to all the servitors for their wholehearted support,” said SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee. The old beds, made of sal wood, will be preserved at the Niladri Museum inside the temple complex, SJTA sources said. Traditionally, Ratna Palankas – each measuring about 5 feet in length and 3 feet in width – are placed before the idols beneath the Ratna Singhasan (bejeweled throne) inside the sanctum sanctorum. After the deities are offered bhog during lunch and dinner, servitors ceremonially invite them to descend from the throne and symbolically rest on the palankas. The sanctum remains closed during this period. Temple sources said the new beds are studded with precious jewels. Ivory from the old palankas was reused, as fresh procurement is prohibited under India’s wildlife protection laws. “We could not procure new elephant tusks, so the existing ivory was reused for decoration,” another temple official explained. The official added that fresh silver plating has enhanced the grandeur of the beds, thanks to a generous donor who gave silver for the purpose.
