Bhubaneswar, April 12: The neem tree for making the idol of Lord Sudarshan, considered to be the representative of Lord Jagannath, has been identified at Gadakuntaik village under Balkati block, just about 10km from the heart of the city.

Following an announcement in this regard by the Jagannath temple administration, thousands of people flocked to Gadakuntaik village to see the Maha Daru (sacred timber).

Chief temple administrator Suresh Chandra Mohapatra said: "The announcement about the three other trees would be made within a week from now. After Lord Sudarshan's daru, it will be the turn of Lord Balabhadra's, then Devi Subhadra's and finally Lord Jagannath's."

However, Mohapatra made it clear the announcement would be made only after Daitapati Association informs them about the location of the trees in writing. "The servitors would reach here by Tuesday and for the next two days on April 16 and April 17, all the elaborate rituals will be held near the tree. Later, the wood will be cut and taken to Puri by on a cart," Mohapatra said.

Mohapatra said all the special attributes like the holy signs of sankha, chakra, gada and padma (conch shell, wheel, mace and lotus) were noticed on the trunk of the neem tree.

Police Commissioner R.P. Sharma said: "Nearly 24 platoons will be mobilised and steps would be taken to completely sanitise the place. A three-layer security ring will be thrown around the place so that the tree can be protected properly. A police control room will also be set up for this purpose here." Police have put barricades around the tree.

As soon as the news tickled in about the location of the Maha Daru, people made a beeline to the place for a darshan. People started started offering prayers to the tree.

Shakuntala Das, 52, who hails from the nearby village of Satyabhamapur, said: "We used to notice the Maha Daru every time we used to pass by the nearby road. The Maha Daru is clearly visible from a very long distance. We had never thought the sacred tree would be found in our area. We are extremely elated and happy."

Rabi Nayaran Das, 55, who is working in a construction company said: "The tree has survived many powerful cyclones. Not a single leaf of this huge tree was damaged in the devastating super cyclone of 1999. We have also noticed the movement of snakes near the tree. We are really proud that the tree has been found in our area."

Sources said the neem tree with a 6-feet girth was more than 70 years old.