Rituals

Shree Jagannath Rituals

SHREE JAGANNATH RITUALS

The daily and periodical rituals observed and performed in His service and worship since time immemorial, bear the dignity and grandeur which a supreme person is entitled to.

MANGALA ALATI

The subsequent ritual after Dwaraphita is Mangala Alati at 5.30 A.M Bhitarchha Mahapatra and two other palia Puspalaka sevakas perform Mangala Alati, standing below the pedestal (Ratnasinghashan). There are three type of Alati known as "Karpura alati", "Bati alati" and "Pithau alati".

SAKALA DHUPA

The most important niti is Sakala Dhupa or Raj Bhoga served at 9 A.M to 10 A.M in which various preparations of black gram like Kanti, Enduri, Jhilli, Mathapuli, Hansakeli, Ada pachedi, saga, Bhaja, Khechedi, Kanika etc are offered to the deities. The Pujapandas perform the puja of the Bhoga with 16 (sixteen) 'Upacharas'. Rice, wheat, ghee, sugar cane, fuel, earthern pots, vegetables etc are supplied for the cooking purpose by the temple administration. The Pujapanda who worships Shree Jagannatha also worships SreeDevi, Bhubevi, Sudarsana and Madhaba. After bhoga puja offering of lamps to the Deities is made.

MADHYAHNA (MIDDAY) DHUPA

Like Sakala Dhupa, this puja is also performed with sixteen Upacharas in the afternoon. Madhyahna dhupa bhog is offered in the sanctum sanctorum (near Ratnasinghashan). The bhoga times are more in number such as cooked rice, curries, sweets, cakes of different kinds are offered in this dhupa. The Pujapandas and other servitors, as in the morning dhupa are engaged in this ritual. Lamp offering is also made after the bhog.

SANDHYA ALATI

The prescribed time is 6 P.M. In the evening again sacred lamps are offered to the deities. If there is no afternoon Pahuda, this lamp offering takes place after Madhyahna Dhupa and after change of cloth, garland etc.

After "Sandhya Alati" again Raj bhoga (Sandhya Dhupa) is offered to the Deities in the same manner as Sakala and Madhyahna Dhupa. The time for Sandhya Dhupa is between 6.30 P.M. to 8 P.M. During Dhupa ritual camphor alati is offered to the Deities. Besides these two more alaties are offered which known as "Jaya Mangal Alati'. The bhoga items are mostly watered rice, cakes like puli and amalu etc.

BADASINGHARA BESHA

The prescribed time is between 9 P.M. to 10 P.M. After Chandan lagi, the deities are dressed in Baralagi Patta (some portions of Geeta Govinda of Jayadev are worn into the texture of these silken robes), flower crests, garlands, Tulsi (holy basil), Dayana etc in the late night, which is known as Badasinghara Besha. Palia Puspalakas decorate the Lord with various types of floral ornaments. This besha is very attractive to look at.

The time for this dhupa is between 10.30 PM to 11 P.M. This is the last bhoga in which Pakhala (watered rice), Kadalibada, Khiri, Kanjc etc are offered to the deities. The Pujapandas worship the deities with 'Pancha Upacharas' sitting on the floor down the Ratnasinghashan.

major festivals

Old Sanskrit texts, right from Brahma and Skanda Purana onwards, contain prescription about the observance of twelve festivals in the temple of Jagannatha throughout the year. These twelve festivals, popularly called 'dvadasa yatras'.

Ratha Yatra

This famous festival is observed on the second day of the bright fortnight of the month of Asadha. Three huge chariots (cars) are constructed for the purpose. The deities of Shree Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, Shree Jagannatha and Shree Sudarsana are seated in these chariots.

Pravarana Sasthi

On the 6th day of the bright fortnight of Margasira, Prabharana Sasthi rituals are observed in the temple of Shree Jagannatha. The deities wear winter garments. After the deities are offered 'ghodas' and silken clothes on the Ratnasinghashan, six pieces of gold ornaments are also given.

Makars Sankranti

This is celebrated in the month of Pausa. After alati and abakash on Makar Sankranti, the deities are offered 'Phuta paharana' (a kind of cloth). The 'Makara Chula' is offered at Trimundi. Then follow 'Mala lagi besha' and Karpura lagi.

Dola Yatra

Dola Yatra is one of the important festivals of Shreemandira and is celebrated from the 10th day of the bright fortnight to Phalguna up to the full moon day.On completing this ritual, the deities are placed on the swing. Then the arrangement is done for public 'darshan' on the "Dolabedi".

Akshaya Trutiya & Chandana Yatra

Akshaya Trutiya is an important festival of Shreemandira. The Chandan Yatra starts from Akshya Tritiya i.e. the 3rd day of the bright fortnight of Baisakha. From this day onwards construction of the chariots for the Ratha Yatra starts.

Neeladri Mahodaya

Celebrated on the 8th day of the bright fortnight of Baisakha 108 pots of consecrated water are offered to the deities and some special rites known as 'Abhisheka ritual' is performed on this day.