the temple of lord jagannatha

8/6/2019 The Temple of Lord Jagannatha

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The Temple of Lord Jagannath

The Temple. Lord Jagnnath TempleThe Deities

LegendIndradyumna's prayer to Lord BrahmaThe episode of the Lord's grace during a war with Kanchi.RitualsCostumesMahaprasad

The Temple.The present temple is a rekha deula withcurviliner tower on a pancha ratha plan and was builtby Ananta Barma Chodaganga Dev during 12th century A.D

and was completed by Ananga Bhima Dev.This temple isone of the tallest monument in the country,which heightis about 214 feet from the ground level. It stands onan elevated platform of stone measuring about 10 acres,which is located in the heart of the down town andpresents an imposing sight.The temple is bounded by twoenclosures.The inner enclosure is 400' x 278 'size andis known as kurma bedha. The outer enclosure is of665' x 644' size with the height varying from 20 ' to24 ' is popularly known as Meghanad Prachir.

The temple has four gates at the eastern,southern,western, and northen midpoints of the MeghanadPrachir and are called Lions gate,Horse Gate , TigerGate and the Elephant Gate respectively.The temple has got four halls in a row such asViman (main temple where Lord Jagannath is worshippedwith brother Balabhadra, sister Subhadra and Sudarshan), Jagamohan (Audience hall ), Natamandap (Dance hall )and the Bhoga Mandap (offering hall ).

The Deities

Lord Jagannath, the symbol of univerrsal loveand brotherhood is worshipped in the Temple alongwithBalabhadra, Subhadra,Sudarshan, Madhaba, Sridevi andBhudevi on the Ratnabedi or the bejewelled platform.The Deities of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra,Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshan are made of margosa wood.When one lunar month of Ashadha is followed byanother lunar month of Aashadha, the deities changetheir bodies during the leap month.This is known asNavakalebar or New Body Ceremony. Last four new bodyceremonies of the Lords was celebrated in the year 1950

1969, 1977 and 1996. On such occasions Puriwitnesses the largest crowd in her fold.
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LEGENDLegendary account as found in theSkanda-Purana, Brahma Purana and other Puranas statethat Lord Jagannath was originally worshipped as Neelamadhab by a saver king ( tribal chief ) named

Viswavasu. Having heard about the Deity , KingIndradyumna sent a brahmin priest, Vidyapati to locatethe Deity, who was worshipped secretely in a denseforest by Viswavasu. Vidyapati tried his best butcould not locate the place. But at last he managed tomarry Viswavasu's daughter Lalita . At repeatedrequest of Vidyapati, Viswavasu took his son-in-lawblind folded to a cave where Neelamadhab was worshippedVidyapati was very intelligent. He dropped mustardseeds on the ground on the way. The seeds germinatedafter a few days,which enabled him to find out the cave

later on. On hearing from him , King Indradyumnaproceeded immediately to Odra desha ( Orissa ) on apilgrimage to see and worship the Deity.The king was disappointed at the suddendisappearance of the Deity.The Deity was hidden insand. The king was determined not to return withouthaving darshan of the Deity and observed fast untodeath at Mount Neela, when a celestial voice cried'thoushalt see him '. Afterwards the king performed ahorse sacrifice and built a magnificient temple forVishnu.Narasingha Murti brought by Narada was installedin the temple.During sleep,the king had a vision ofLord Jagannath.Also anastral voice directed him toreceive the fragrant tree on the seashore and makeidols out of it. Accordingly the king got LordJagannath,Balabhadra ,Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshanmade and installed them in the temple.

Indradyumna's prayer to Lord BrahmaKing Indardyumna put up for Jagannath the tallestmonument of the world'. It was 1,000 cubits high.Lord Brahma, the cosmic creator,was immensely pleasedwith him. He asked him as to in what way can HE(Brahma ) fulfil his (the king's ) desire,since HE wasvery much pleased with him for his having put a mostbeautiful Temple for Lord Vishnu.With folded hands, Indradyumna said ," My Lord, if you are really pleased with me, kindly bless mewith one thing, and it is this.I pray that I should beissueless and I should be the last member of myfamily."Lord Brahma was very much surprised to hear

this. He asked the king as to why he made such aprayer.Indradyumna replied, " in case there was anybodyleft alive after him,he would only take pride as the


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owner of the temple and would not work for thesociety."

The episode of the Lord's grace during a warwith Kanchi.

At one time, a king of Kanchi in the down southremarked that the king of orissa was a chandala ( a manof very low caste or status because, he performs theduties of a sweeper during the Car Festival ). Whenthis reached the ears of the king of orissa, he led anexpedition against Kanchi. Before that, he imploredthe mercy of Lord Jagannath. The soldiers of Orissamarched towards Kanchi from cuttack ( the historiccapital city of Orissa, located on the bank ofMahanadi, at a distance of 30 Kms.from Bhubaneswar ).Itso happened that when the soldiers, headed by the king

Purusottam Dev, reached a place near the Chilika lake,a lady ,who was selling curd ( a milk preparation sourin taste ) met him ( the King ) and presented a goldenring studded with precious gems and submitted this.

" My Lord, kindly listen to me. A littleearlier, two soldiers riding over two horses ( whiteand black in colour ), approached me and said ' 'we arethirsty give us curds to drink.' I gave them curds.Instead of giving me money , they gave me this ring andsaid ,'the king of orissa will come here, after some

time , on his way to Kanchi; you present it to him andhe will pay you the money.' So my Lord, you take it andgive me my dues."It took no time for the king to see it and toknow that the ring belongs to Lord Jagannath. He wasconvinced that Jagannath and Balabhadra were proceedingto the battle field ahead of him to help him there. Toperpetuate the memory of this great incident, the kingfounded a village in the Chilika lake area. As thename of the lady was Manika, the name given to thevillage was Manika Patana .Even to this day, the curdsof this village are known to be the very best.

SERVITORS(Sevayats)The persons entrusted in the Seva-Puja(ritualservices) of the deities are known as Sevayats orSevakas(servitors). Most of them enjoy hereditaryrights to perform the ritual services.THE SEVAKA COMMUNITYIn the past there was provision of " 36 Nijogas" or 36 types of sevakas in the Jagannath Temple. But

in practice the real seva is much higher than this.According to the report of the then Collector,Puri MrGrome in 1805 thirty six types of seva increased


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further. The Record of Rights of Sri Jagannath Templespells about 119 categoris of Sevas which is stated asfollows.

SEVA LIST

1. Gajapati Maharaja2. Parichha or Rajaguru3. Chhatisa Nijog Naik Patajoshi Mahapatra4. Bhitarachha5. Talichha6. Mudirasta7. Deula Purohit8. Puja Panda9. Bada Panda10. Puspalak11. Mahajan

12. Mudra13. Khuntia14. Bhandar Mekap15. Palia Mekap16. Akhand Mekap17. Changada Mekap18. Khata Seja Mekap19. Pratihari20. Daita21. Pati Mahapatra22. Patribadu23. Garabadu24. Suarbadu25. Khuri Naik26. Mukha Pakhala27. Ghatuari Oger28. Gochhikar29. Sunagoswami30. Muduli31. Alati Balita Sevak32. Puran Panda

33. Dutta Mahapatra34. Lugadhua & Panikunda Sevak35. Ballav Jogania36. Bimanbadu37. Anasar Sudha Suar & Sudha Suar38. Hadap Naik39. Bidia Jogania40. Khatuli Sevak41. Asan Pratihari42. Kothabhog Jogania43. Pradhani

44. Paika45. Lenka46. Suar Nijog Naik


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47. Suar Nijog & Mahasuar48. Jagia Mahasuar49. Badu Suar Thala, Tuna, & Amalu Suar50. Pantibadu51. Amalu Tola,Pura Kharadi

52. Tolabadu53. Rosa Paika54. Bahara Deuli Suar55. Bahara Deuli Jogania56. Rosa Dhopakhalia, Angarua,Gobar Pania & Rabadia57. Handi Jogania Tolabadi58. Birimunda Samartha59. Kotha Bhoga Pania60. Panikipata61. Nikap & Gandhan Nikap62. Biri Buha

63. Daudi Bala64. Chunara65. Sabat Nijog66. Paniapat67. Mandani68. Chakaapasar69. Mulia Suansua70. Binakar71. Darpania72. Kotha Suansua73. Mahabhoi74. Gitagobind75. Bhitara Gaeni76. Samprada Nijog77. Dayanamali78. Madeli79. Prasad Badu,Badu Mahapatra80. Tatua81. Patar Bundha82. Baijayanti83. Chhatar Nijog

84. Kahalia85. Sankhua86. Parbyatra Jogania87. Chitrakar88. Rupakar89. Bania90. Damara Bisoi91. Karatia92. Bentabindha Paika93. Patara Bisoi94. Kala Bethia

95. Daraji Seva96. Kumbhar Bisoi97. Rath Bhoi


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98. Mala Chula99. Banua100. Chakradihudi101. Ojha Maharana102. Ghanta Seva

103. Ghantua104. Rath Dahuka105. Badhei106. Baidya107. Amunia Chhatar108. Chhamudihudi109. Chapadehera110. Chapa Dalei111. Mapasaita Karan112. Chadhhau Karan113. Deula Karan

114. Baitha Karan115. Kotha Karan116. Churcha Karan117. Dayanapatra118. Chaula Bachha Karan119. Matha & Byaktigata Seva

DUES TO SEVAYATSVarious rewards are given to sevayats in cashand kind from the Temple Administration. A "Hundi" isplaced in the Jagamohan of the temple since 23.8.83 forlarge scale donation. 90% of the Hundi fund isdeposited in the Bank as foundation fund out of theinterest money accruing from the foundation fund 50%goes to the Temple fund, 45% to the Sanskrit Universityand 5% to the Sevayats Welfare Fund.On an average 80 sevaks perform ritual serviceseveryday. Each of them is entitled to get aportion(known as khei) from the Raj-Bhoga orKotha-Bhoga of the day. In addition to "Khei" , mostof the sevaks are paid daily remuneration i.e. cash

reward, according to the scales prescribed by themanaging committee of the Temple. Some sevaks getreward in both cash and kind.MARRIAGE SYSTEM OF SEVAKSSevayat Marriage System is a typical marriagesystem. Generally the Brahmin sevayat's marriagesystem is solely on Insist-marriage on Debaniti. Theycan marry only amongst brahmin sevayats for which theycan marry within "Atharnala" the entry point of Puri.They cannot marry outside Puri and outcaste marriage is

also prohibited. If one will do so then he will beoutcasted and debarred of his paternal sevapuja in thetemple. For Non-Brahmin sevayats this rule is not


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strictly followed.In their marriage system the groom is to gofirst to the bride's house. Then the groom will returnto his house. After that the groom will go alongwithBarayatri.Then after the marriage the groom will return

alone to his house. The 2nd day of the marriage iscalled "Utchha" (Utchhaba). The brother-in-law willcome for calling the groom. The groom will go andtheir "bandhan" will take place for both bride-groom.The third day is called "Guali". On that daybefore sunrise the groom will again go alongwith hismaternal uncle to bride's house. One ritual will takeplace in bride's house for both. On that night bothbride and groom will return to the groom's house withprocession. After that the bride will return to herhouse on that night. After 3-4 hours again the ladies

from the groom's side will go and bring the bride. On4th day normal ritual takes place.

The Costumes (Veshas) of Lord JagannathTrivikram VeshaThe Deities are adorned with cotton and silkenfabrics, Gold Ornaments studded with precious stones,flowers of different varieties, Tulasi leaves etc,sandal paste,camphor are used in the daily and

periodical rituals.some important Veshas or costumes ofthe deities are mentioned below.1. Abakasha (Tadapa uttari) VeshaThis Vesha is done everyday after Mangal Alatifor the Abakash rituals.The clothes which are worn bythe deities for this purpose are known as "Tadapa" and"Uttariya".2. Sadha VeshaThis Vesha is the normal costumes of deitieswhich they wear five times in a day, especially aftereach food offering. This Vesha is done with silken

clothes and flower garlands.3. Bada Srungar VeshaThis the last Vesha of the deities doneeveryday before the night "Pahuda". Bada Srungar Veshais mostly of flowers of different colours and species.The deities wear silk clothes called 'Khandua'.4. Chandan VeshaThis vesha is done for 42 days starting fromAkshaya Trutiya day.5. Ganapati or Hati veshaOn the full moon day in the month of Jyestha,after the bathing ceremony is over, the deities aredressed like elephants. Lord Jagannath and LordBalabhadra appear like Ganesh (the Elephant God).


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6. Suna (gold) veshaOn the 11th day in the bright fortnight ofAshada, Suna Vesha takes place, when the deities are intheir respective chariots near the Lion's gate of theSHREE JAGANNATH Temple. The deities are decorated with

many gold ornaments. This vesha is also known as 'BadaTadhau' vesha and Raja Vesha is also done on Dashahara,Kartik Purnima,Pousa purnima and Dola purnima.7. Banabhoji VeshaIt is done on the 1oth day of the darkfortnight of Bhadraba. The deities are dressed as ifgoing to attend a picnic, like cowherd boys.8. Kaliyadalana VeshaOn the 11th day of the dark fortnight ofBhadraba, Lord JAGANNATH is dressed like Lord Krishnakilling the Kaliya Serpent.

9. Pralambasura Badha VeshaIt is done on the 12th day of the darkfortnight of Bhadraba(September), Lord Balabhadra'skilling of the demon Pralambasura is depicted in thisVesha10. Krishna Balarama VeshaThis Vesha is done on the 13th day of the darkfortnight of Bhadraba. Lord Jagannath and Balabhadraare dressed like Lord Krishna and Balaram.11. Bali Baman VeshaOn the 12th day of the bright fortnight ofBhadraba ,Lord Jagannath is dressed like "Bamana"(dwarf). Bamana is the fifth incarnation of LordBishnu.12. Radha-Damodara VeshaFrom the 11th day of the bright fortnight ofAshwena to the 10th day of the bright fortnight ofKartika, this vesha takes place.13. Thiakia (Laxmi-Narayan) VeshaIt is done on the 11th day of the brightfortnight of Kartika.

14. Bankachula VeshaIt is done on the 12th day of the brightfortnight of Kartika.15. Adakia (Tribikrama) VeshaThis is done on the 13th day of the brightfortnight of Kartika.16. Dalikia VeshaOn the 14th day of the bright fortnight ofKartika,this is also known as Laxmi-Nrusimha Vesha.17. Nagarjuna VeshaThis vesha is occasionally done in the month of

Kartika, when there are six days of "Panchaka". Thelords are dressed like warriors. In the recentpast,this besha has been done on 16.11.1994.The


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previous four dates were 26.11.1993, 3.11.1968,16.11.1967 and 26.11.1966.18. Ghodalagi VeshaDuring the period from the 6th day of thebright fortnight of Margasira to the 5th day of the

bright fortnight of Magha (Basanta Panchami) , thedeities wear winter clothes.19. Jamalagi VeshaFrom Basanta Panchami to Dola Purnima, thedeities wear modified Ghoda (Winter dress).20. Padma VeshaThis vesha is done on any saturday or wednesdaybetween the new moon day of Magha and BasantaPanchami."Padma" means lotus. The dress materials madeof lotus, "Sola" lace and paper,gum etc.21. Gaja Uddharana Vesha

This Vesha is done on the full moon day ofMagha. This Vesha depicts a story in the puranas as tohow lord Bishnu saved an elephant from the attack of analligator.Besides, there are other veshas like Sradha andChacheri veshas are done in the month of Margasira andFalguna respectively.The sevaks of temple who dress the deities withclothing and flowers are known as Puspalaks orSingharis.

MAHAPRASADFour hallowed shrines located at cardinalpoints of the Indian sub-continent i.e.Puri,Rameswar,Dwarika and Badrinath are believed tohave been liked by Lord Vishnu intimately. It is saidand believed that He takes His bath at Rameswaram,meditates at Badrinath,dines at Puri and retires atDwarika.It is therefore,lot of importance is given tothe temple food "Mahaprasad" (not prasad but

Mahaprasad) here at Puri.According to " Skanda Purana" Lord Jagannathredeems the devotees by permitting them to partake hisMahaprasad,to have His darshan and worship Him byrituals and offering of gifts .Mahaprasad is treatedhere as 'Anna Brahma'. The temple kitchen has got thecapacity to cook for a lakh of devotees on aday.Mahaprasad is cooked only in earthen pots andmedium of food is fire wood only. The steam-cookedfood is offered to Lord Jagannath first and then toGoddess Bimala after which it becomes Mahaprasad.This

Mahaprasad is freely partaken by people of all castesand creeds without any discrimination.The items offeredinclude cooked rice, dal, vegetable curry,


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sweet-dishes, cakes etc. Dry confectionaries areprepared of sugar,gur,wheat flour,ghee,milk and cheeseetc.When the steam cooked food is carried to Lordin slings of earthen pots no flavour comes up from the

food but when the same is carried back to the salepoint after being offered to the Lord a delicious smellspells along in the breeze to the pleasant surprise ofthe devotees.Now the food is blessed.Mahaprasad consolidates human bond,sanctifiessacraments and grooms the departing soul for itsjourney upwards.Mahaprasad are sold in Anand Bazar or thePleasureMart of the temple which is situated on thenorth east corner of the outer enclosure of thetemple.It is the biggest open-air hotel in the world

where every day thousands of devotees purchase and eattogether forgetting their caste,creed and status.Most of the residents in and around puri dependupon this Mahaprasad to entertain their guests duringsocial functions such as threading and weddings.The tourists prefer to carry a particular typeof dry Mahaprasad known as" Khaja" (made of maida,sugarand ghee) which stays fresh for days together.

FESTIVE OCCASSIONSDOLA YATRAThis is Celebrated from the tenth day of thebright fortnight of Falguna up to the full moon day.The representative deities Dologobinda, Bhudevi andSreedevi are taken in a procession to Dolabedi locatedoutside the outer compound wall of the main Temple andspecial rites are performed.

CHANDAN YATRA

This Takes place in the month of Vaisaksha andcontinues for long 42 days. But, generaly speaking andfor the piligrims and visitors,it is a Festival of 21day only.The first period known as "Bahar Chandan"orouter Chandan. During this period,the representativeimages of Rama,Krushna,Madanmohan,Laxmi, andBiswadhatri at taken in a procession to Narendratank.Also images of Siva from 5 Siva Temples known as"Pancha Pandavas" accompany them in a Procession in theNarendra tank, the images play in well decorated boats

and are worshipped.The second period of 21 days known as "BhitarChandana" is celebrated inside the Temple. The rites


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observed on this period are not popularly enjoyed.

SNANA YATRA

This Festival takes places in the month of

Jestha. it is popularly known as the Deba SnanaPurnima.This is the first occasion in the course of ayear when the deities Jagannath,Balabhadra,Subhadraalong with Sudarsan and Madanmohan are brought out fromthe Temple and taken in procession to Snana Bedilocated in the North East corner of the outercompound.The deities are bathed there with 108 pitchersof water from a well near the Northen Gate.Here,Jagannath and Balabhadra are dressed like LordGanesh of the purans with the head of an elephant.

RATHA YATRA (Chariot (Car) Festival)

The most splendid of the innumerable festivalscelebrated round the year in the holy city of Puri ,the Ratha Yatra is the grand culmination of a series ofcelebrations spread over the summer and the monsoonmonth.Akshaya Trutiya tithi marks the beginning ofthe construction of the Rathas (chariots) for theceremonial journey and sojourn of LordJagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra at the Gundicha

Temple for a week.On the full-moon day of the month of Jyestha(May-June) in the Snana Yatra, the BathingFestival,when the three deities move in colourfulprocessions to a platform in the outer enclosure of thetemple, the Snana Vedi, the bathing platform, wherethey bath with one hundred and eight pitchers ofperfumed water drawn from a temple well once a year.After the ritual bath, the deities assume the specialelephant form, recalling the legend of the Lord'saffection for a devotee, whom He proved that he was in

fact another manifestation of Lord Ganesha.At the end of the Snana Yatra day, the holytriad,supposedly afflicted with fever, do not return totheir pedestal in the sanctum.they stay away from thepublic view for a period of fifteen days,calledAnasara,after which they appear in their Navayauvana Veha,literally a renewed youth, on the new moon day ofthe Month of Ashadha.During this fortnight the iconsget a fresh coat of painting which gets washed out onthe day of the Bathing Festival. During this periodthe Sevakas, temple servants, also symbolicallyconvalesce with the deities and eat only fruits andother restricted diet.Cloth paintings.representing thedeities called Anasara Pati, and displayed beyond the


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enclosers hiding the deities for the devotees to seeand worship.Finally comes the Ratha Yatra on the second dayof the bright fortnight of the month Of Ashadha whenthe three deities,come out of the temple in a

specacular procession called pahandi. The deities,colossal wooden statues, adorned with giant floralcrowns, called Tahias, are literally pulled, pushed anddragged in rhythmic movement to the accompaniment ofthe beat of cymbals, drums and chanting of their namesin chorus by devotees in frenzied ecstasy. After allthe deities are seated in their respective chariotsstarts the Chhera Pamhara the ritual sweeping of thechariots with a golden broom by the Gajapati King ofPuri,the foremost servant of God,the Adya sevaka ofLord Jagannath. The King comes from his palace on a

richly decorated palanquin. Chhera Pamhara on is asymbolic rite which proclaims that the King like othersis but an humble servant of the real sovereign, LordJagannath.The most exciting part of the Rath yatra is thepulling of chariots by thousands of people who laytheir hands on the sturdy ropes and drag the massivestructures along the Bada-Danda,the grand road. TheChariot of Balabhadra moves first, followed by those ofSubhadra and Jagannath. The chariots grind forwardslowly until they reach the Gundicha temple where thethree detities rest for a night on their own chariots,adorned with the Dasavatara costumes .They enter theGundicha temple on the next day in the usual Pahandistyle and stay there for seven days. Godess Laxmi,whogets angry for being left out at the temple, proceedsto the Gundicha temple to meet her Lord, Jagannath ,onthe Hera Panchami day,the fifth day from the RathaYatra . After having a stealthy look at her Lord, shereturns to the temple, damaging a part of Jagannath'schariot in anger and disgust.

The deities, after a seven-day stay at Gundichatemple, their garden house, commence their returnjourney, the Bahuda Yatra,On the tenth day of brightfortnight of Ashadha. The return of the chariots takesplace in the same order as in the rath yatra.Balabhadra chariot moves first,followed by those ofSubhadra and jagannath. On his way back,Jagannathstops for a while at Ardhasini temple, popularly calledMausi Ma temple of the temple of Aunt.He accepts fromthe aunt His favourite rice cake,Poda Pitha. The threechariots pulled by thousands of devotees, reach back

the Simhadwara in the late afternoon of the Bahuda dayand deities remain seated on their chariots. On thenext day the Bada Ekadasi,the three deities,are attired


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in costumes of glittering gold and are worshipped bythousands of devotees. This form of the deities isknown as the famous Suna Vesa. On the Dwadasi day, thethree deities go back to theiroriginal place,the Ratnasimhasana, literally the jewelled platform,with the

usual fanfare and the Pahandi style.Their arrival in tothe Sanctum sanctorum marks the end of the Ratha Yatrathe grand festival of Chariot.

NAVAKALEVARAAs a man discarding worn out clothes takesother new ones,so also the embodied soul, Casting offworn out bodies enters into others which are new.In thelight of this truth from The Bhagavat Geeta,Navakalevar can be interpreted as a ceremony forentering into new bodies, when Lord Jagannath,,

Balabhadra,Subhadra and Sudarshan cast off their oldbodies and take new ones,it is called Navakalevar. Theyear which has two months of Ashadha is regardedauspicious for Navakalevar ceremony.It usually occursin 8 to 19 years. The new bodies of the deities aremade out of the newly cut neem trees. The previousnavakalevars were in 1733,1744,1752, 1771,1790,1809,1828, 1836,1855,1874,1893,1912, 1931,1950,1969,1977 and 1996.

DAILY RITUALS(The timings are subject to change dependingupon the rituals of the day)

1. "DWARPHITA & MANGAL ALATI " AT 5 A.M.The door opens early in the morning in thepresence of the five specific sevayats afterverification of the "seal" given by a particularsevayat in the last night. Soon after the opening ofthe door, sacred lamps is offered to the deities whichis called "Mangal Alati".

2. "MAILAM" AT 6 A.M." Mailam" is a ward used in Shri JagannathTemple,which means change or removal of dresses andflowers etc. At this time some specific sevaks changethe clothes, flowers, Tulasi leaves of the deities wornon the previous night. After removal of colthes,theclothes known as "Tadap"and "Uttariya"are worn by thedeities.3. "ABAKASH" - 6 A.M. TO 6.30 A.M.Purificatory rites like brushing of teeth andbath is known as "Abakash ". At this time Temple


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Jyotisha ( Astrologer ) reads out the tithi and otherastrological details of the day and according to that,that very days rituals are performed.

4. " MAILAM" 6.45 A.M.

At this time deities change their clothes (Tadap & Uttariya ) and wear another set of clothes. Asevak known as "Akhanda Mekap " keeps in the sanctumAkhanda Baitha i.e. one lamp which burns till " Pahuda" or the time of the retirement of the deities to bed.

5. "SAHANAMELA " - 7A.M. TO 8 A.M.Though this is not a part of the rituals,butabout one hour is spent to facilitate pilgrims to go upto "Ratnavedi " or inner sanctums to have a Darshan,without paying fees for it. On certain festive days,

Sahanamela is held after " Sandhya dhupa " (EveningPuja or Sandhya Alati in the month of Kartik) and afterSakaldhupa ( in the month of Pausha ). Some times thisdarshan is not allowed for some special rituals of thedeities.

6. " BESHALAGI " - 8 A.M.After Sahanamela the deities are again dressedup which can be witnessed from a little distance i.e."Bhitara Katha ". At this time, Deities are alsoadorned with gold and precious stones to suit

diffeerent festive occasions.

7. ROSHA HOMA, SURYA PUJA, ANDDWARAPAL PUJA- 8 A.M. to 8.30 A.M.

While some sevayats are busy with vesha lagi ofthe Deities, Pujapandas at that time perform " RoshaHoma "( Fire Sacrifice ) at the kitchen and " Suryapuja " at the surya temple near "Mukti Mandap ". Thenthe images of two gate keepers named Jaya and Vijaya onthe entrance of the Jagamohan of the Temple areworshipped.

8. GOPALA BALLAVA PUJA - 9 A.M.The prescribed time is 9 A.M. This is the timefor breakfast of the deities. At this time sweetpopcorn (Khei ), Khualadus, Coconuts sweets (Kora),Ripe banana, Curd, and chipped coconuts etc. areoffered as bhogas. Puja is performed in a brief mannerwith pancha upachar only.

9. SAKALA DHUPA (MORNING FOOD OFFERING) 10 A.M.At this time puja is performed by three

Pujapandas with 16 Upachars or Sodasha Upachars. ThreePujapandas used to sit on Ratnasinhasana to worshipthree deities Shri Balabhadra,Subhadra, and Lord


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Jagannath. The Pujapanda who worships Lord Jagannathalso worships Sri Devi, Bhudevi,and Sudarshan. Themorning bhoga or food offered to the deities containsRice, Kanika, Khechudi, Green leaves, Cakes etc.. Thelocal names of the Bhog are Pitha Puli,Hansakeli,

Kanti, Enduri ,Matha Puli, Kakatua Jhili, Bundia,Kadali Bhaja, Ada Pachedi (ginger tonic ) etc..The cost of the dhoop Pujas and Ballavs areborne by the Temple Administration.PreviouslyRaja-Superintendent of the temple born the cost ofmaterials for preparation of Bhoga. So these Bhogasare also called "Raja Bhoga "or "Kotha Bhoga".

10. MAILAM & BHOGA MANDAP : 11 A.M.After Morning Dhupa or Puja the Deities changedtheir Clothes " and again Puja takes places in "Bhoga

Mandap ",a place behind the Garuda pillar of Jagamohan.Huge quantity of Bhogas such as Rice ,Dal,Curries,Sagaand Cakes of different kinds etc.are offered to theDeities. Pujapandas worship this bhog with PanchaUpachars.The cost of Bhoga Mandap offerings are notborne by the state or Temple Administration. Thisbhoga is mainly prepared to meet the need of differentMathas ( Monasteries ) and for sale to the generalpublic. According to the demand, Bhogamandap Puja ismade twice or thrice a day i.e. after " Madhyanha

Dhoop" and "Sandhya Dhup " also.

11. MADHYANHA DHUPA (Afternoon food offering )11A.M. to 1 P.M.Like Sakal Dhupa, this puja is also performedwith Sodasa Upachar in the afternoon.The Bhoga itemsare more in number than that of Morning Dhupa.One can go near to the " Ratna Singhasan" fordarshan by paying special Darshan fee @ Rs 10 /- afterMadhynha Dhupa & Sakal Dhupa.12. MADHYANHA PAHUDHA 1 P.M. to 1.30 P.M.

If rituals have been performed in time and iftime permits, the Deities retire for the afternoon.

13. SANDHYA ALATIIn the evening again sacred lamps areoffered to the deities after Madhyana DhupaMailam. On Ekadasi day,the deities change theirclothes and wear another sets after "Alati" isover.

14. SANDHYA DHUPA - 7 P.M. to 8 P.M.

After "Sandhya Alati" again Bhogas are offeredto the deities in the same manner like Sakala andMadhyan Dhupa but this time Bhoga amount is less in


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quantity and number. After Puja again lamp offering ismade which is called as "Jaya Mangala Alati".

15. MAILAM AND CHANDANA LAGIAfter "Sandhya Dhoopa" deities changed their

clothes and are annointed with Sandal paste mixed withchamphor, keshar and Kasturi. One can witness thisritual by paying special Darsan fees.

16. BADASINGHAR VESHAAfter Chandan lagi, deities are dressed withBaralagi Patta (silken robes on which some portions ofGeeta Govinda of Jayadev are woven in to the texture ofthese robes) and flower ornaments.

17. BADASINGHARA BHOGA

This is the last bhoga of the day. Puja isoffered With Pancha Upachar by the Puja Pandas withPakhal(watered rice),Kadali bada,Kshiri ,Kanji etc.

18. KHATA SEJA LAGI AND PAHUDA 12.00The bedsteads of the deities are arranged. TheDeity of "Sayan Thakura" is carried from Bhandarghar toRatnavedi or Ratnasinghashana and place the deity nearLord Jagannath. Then follows offering of greencocoanut, betels and camphor alati and then deitiesretire to their beds. After sealing the doors by the

Sevayat (Talichha Mohapatra). Temple is closed and novisitors or outsiders are allowed to remain inside.This is in brief the daily rituals observed inthe Temple. It is generally not possible to follow thetime prescribed for each ritual on account of variouspractical difficulties. On the specific festiveday,additional rituals are performed. As a result,charges in timings and alterations in the routinerituals are made.

DARSHAN

As indicated above during Sahanamela, thedevotees can go up to the "Ratna Singhasana" and prayto Lords, free of cost. Besides the pilgrims can go upto "Ratna Singhasana" at certain times paying a nominalfee Rs.10/- ,which is known as "Parimanik Darshana".At other times the pilgrims can have their darshan froma little distance that is in "Jagamohan" and"Vitarakatha".

BHOGAEvery day 5 bhogas are offered to the Lords,

these are "Gopala-Ballava"(Break fast), "Sakal Dhupa""Madhyana Dhupa" "Sandhya Dhupa" and "BadasingharDhupa". The details of these Dhupas are given above in


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the rituals.

the temple of lord jagannatha

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