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Orissa Review

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Jagannath is a highly humanizeddeity. The gap between men and

Divine has been bridged in Jagannathcult. Like daily happenings and day-to-day activities of a common man Hebrushes His teeth, takes bath, changesHis clothes, wears varieties of colorfuldresses, adorns in definite timeintervals, enjoys 56 varieties of fooditems, goes to bed and takes rest afterlight night meals. Different modusoperandi of human life have emergedwithin His cult to give it a uniquestatute. In such context the daily ritualsof Jagannath temple are discussed chronologically.

Dwarfita and Mangal Arati — The first ritualof the day is ceremonial opening of the doors,scheduled time for opening of the doors is 5 AM.or before that. On some specific occasions, suchas - Aswina Ekadasi (next day after Dasahara)to Kartik Purnima and from Dhanu Sankranti toMakar Sankranti Dwarfita time is from 2 AM to3 AM in the morning. For this simple opening ofthe doors, presence of 5 Sevayats is necessary;they are Bhitarchu Mahapatra; Pratihari; Muduli;Akhanda Mekap and Palia Mekap. After scrutinyof the seal on the padlock given in previous night;Muduli opens the Jay-Vijay dwar. ThereafterKalahat or Chamu Dwar is opened. Pratihari

Daily Rituals of Sri Jagannath Temple

Padmanabha Mohapatra

utters the words Manima and Manima while thedoors are opened. After opening of all the doorsthe inner part of the temple is purified in sacredwater.

The most important ritual in the earlymorning is Mangal Arati. Morning Aratrikam ofLord Jagannath is done by Bhitarchu Mahapatra.In front of Balabhadra and Maa Subhadra it isdone by 2 Puspalakas. lnitially CamphorAratrikam is made in specially designed brass andbronze-stands and it is known as Karpur Alati. Alamp with twenty one weeks is lit thereafter,followed by Pistak Alati. The ashes after Aratiare distributed as Prasad.

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12 Sevayats are involved for Aratrikam;they are Bhitarachu Mahapatra; Pratihari; Muduli;Akhanda Mekap; Palia Mekap; Khat-sejaMekap; Palia Suarbadu; Khuntia; Garabadu;Balitabala; Puspalak and one temple civilianemployee Mangala Arati can be seen by pilgrims;just in front of the Bhitar Kath Argali; free of cost.

Mailam — change of dress —After MangalArati the next ritual is Mailam or removal of thedresses and floral decorations of the previousevening. The scheduled time for Mailam is 6 AMbut it is generally done after completion of MangalArati. The Sevayats involved for this purpose are- 3 Puspalaks; Khuntia; Changada Mekap andDhoba (but he is a Brahmin). All three Puspalaksgo up to the Ratna Simhasan; remove thedecorations; dresses and flowers of the deitiesand dress them with Tadap and Uttariya. Thedresses removed are washed daily by a Sevayatnamed Dhoba; but he is not Dhoha by caste.Clothes utilised during Mailam are 4 Tadaps, onefor each deity; 2 Uttariyas, one for Jagannath andthe other one for Balahhadra. At the time ofMailam flowers; Tulasi etc. are removed; thoseare equally distributed between Khuntia andPuspalak, for further distribution as Prasad to thedevotees.

Abakash — Ahakash is the morning ablution ofthe deities just like human beings, this includescleaning of the teeth; scrapping of the tongue ofthe deities and thereafter giving them a pleasantbath symbolically. The scheduled time for Abkashis 6 AM to 6.30 AM. Abkasha puja is done by 3Puspalaks below the Simhasan. Soft twig andtongue-cleaner are shown to deities withappropriate Mudras as if they do brush.Thereafter, along with chanting of Vedic Suktas;water mixed with camphor; Aamla; sandalpaste;milk and curd are poured on the reflection of thedeities on bronze mirrors placed in front of them

and it is considered as if they take their bath. It isactually a Mantra Snana. Then the Astrologer(Khuri Nayak) explains about the Tithi and otherastrological details of the day. On the specificoccasion of birthday of any deity, NakhyatraBandapana is also undertaken.

The Sevayats engaged for the purposeare — Puspalak; Suar Badu; Pani-apat; KhatuliSebak; Darpania; Mukha Pakhal Padhiari;Mukha Pakhal Pasupalak; Aanla Ghatuari;Bhandar Mekap; Mahabhoi; and TempleAstrologer. The materials required are — woodencot; purified water; Khatuli; soft twigs; tongue-cleaners; three vessels; flower; tulasi; bronzemirrors and water storage materials.

The bathing of Garuda in the Nata Mandap followsthat of the principal deities. Garuda Sevak bringsChunera water and undertakes the bath of SriGaruda. The bath water of the deities and that ofGaruda is considered as Prasad and invariablyuseful for the patients. During Abakash rites; publicare not allowed to enter into the sanctum, but theycan have a glimpse of the deities, standing just infront of the Bhitara Kath Argali’. After Abakashthe deities are dressed with Baralagi Khanduas.Then Akhand Mekap places perpetual lamp(Akhanda Baitha) near the Simhasan, whichremains burning for whole day and night.

Sahana Mela — Public Darshan for one hournormally the scheduled time is from 7AM to 8AMbut it varies at times depending on completion ofearlier programmes. The deities offer a clearDarshan to their adoring devotees, but devoteesare not allowed to touch the deities. From Ekadasiafter Dasahara till Kartik Purnima, the timing ofSahanmela is shifted to the evening i.e. aftercompletion of the Dwipahar Dhoop. The timingfor Sahanamela is subject to change, consequenton change of specific programmes on importantfunctions on festive occasions.

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Beshalagi is taken up after publicDarshan. The deities are clad with differentapparels; ornaments and flowers etc. based onavailability of materials and flowers etc. Beshalagiis done by the Puspalak Sevaks.

Rosh Homa; Surya Puja; Dwarpal andGaruda Puja — The next ritual carried out isFire Sacrifice in the temple kitchen near the KothaChuli before initiation of the cooking process forthe day. As per the record of rights it is the dutyof the Deula Purohit but this work is beingperformed by the Pujapandas at present. Worshipof Sun God or Surya Puja is done just aftercompletion of Rosh Homa by the same sevayatsin Surya temple; situated near the Muktimandap.Dwarpal Puja is the offering of prayers and Bhogto the celestial doorkeepers. Jay and Bijaya infront of the Jay Bijaya door, performed by thePalia Pujapanda. Garuda Puja i.e Puja of theCharioteer follows, thereafter.

Gopal Ballav Bhoga Puja — This is thebreakfast of the deities and the scheduled time is9AM. This Bhoga is served in Anabasra Pindioutside the sanctum. Puja is undertaken by thePujapandas in Panchopchar system. The itemsoffered are Paga Khai; coconut-sugar-plum;sweet bananas; Khuarnanda curd: butter and smallcoconut pieces etc. The Sevayats involved duringthis puja are 3 Pujapandas: Sudu Suar;Ballavjogania; Charcha Paika; Suarbadu;Patribadu; Garabadu; Palia Mahasuar andPradhani. During Dhanu Masa, (which falls duringDecember and January) Ballav Bhoga and PahiliBhoga are taken up together. Similarly, onDolapurnima and Snanapurnami Ballav and Sakaldhoop are taken up together.

Sakal Dhoopa — Regular morning food offeringis known as Sakal dhoop, its scheduled time is10 AM and the place for the puja is Pokharia.

The system of Puja is Sodasa Upacara. 3Pujapandas sit on the Ratna Simhasan to take upthe Puja; except for the period from Odhana Sasthito Basanta Panchami; during such periodPujapandas sit below the Ratna Sirnhasan to takeup Puja.

The items offered are — Kanika; TataKhechudi; Lukhura Khechudi; Mendha mundia;Bada kanti; Sana kanti; Mathpuli; Hansapuli; Pithapuli; Chanda puli; Jhili; Enduri; Adapachidi; Sagaand Bhaja etc.

32 varieties of Sevavats such asSuarbadu; Dhukudidwar Pratihari; Paniapat;Pradhani Sevak; Pujapanda; Pratihari; PaliaMahasuar; Pantibadu; Rosh Paika; Palia Patri;Garahadu; Changada Mekap; Patribadu; Muduli;Chandan Ghatuari; Parikha Badu; Palia Mekap;Parikhya [Rajguru]; Palia Mahari; Palia Madeli;Jhanjapitali; Hadapa Nayak; Bidiajogania; Bojhia;Sudu Suar; Puran Panda; Gochikar; DakhinaDwar Padhiari; Dwari Nayak; Ghantua andBajantri; render their assistance during the SakalDhoopa.

The materials required for preparation ofitems due for offering are supplied by the TempleAdministration and some other Maths. The itemsare prepared by Kothbhog Supakars; suchPrasads are required to be distributed to thetemple Sevayats; which is otherwise called as‘Khei’; for the services rendered by them in thetemple.

Mailam — Bhogamandap - After the SakalDhoop again mailam and change of dresses areundertaken. Then the second round Dhoop of thedeities are arranged within the Bhogamandopbehind the Garud Stambha, its scheduled time is11 AM. The materials used and the expenditureincurred for this bhog is not met by the templeadministration. Prasad in huge quantities is offered

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in Bhogamandap to meet the requirements of thepilgrims and the local people. Puja is done bythree Pujapandas under Panchopachar system.There is no specification of items and no restrictionof quantities to be offered; Prasad is cooked bySupakars based on the assessment of pilgrimsexpected to visit on a particular day andrequisitions obtained from the public. Mahaprasadout of Bhogamandap Puja are meant for publicsale only. The Sevayats who assist in this Pujaare Palia Puspalak; Changada Mekap; PaliaMekap; Bhogamandop Pratihari; Suar Badu;Bhogamandap Dwar Pratihari; Suar; Mahasuar;Mekap Khuntia; Patri Badu; Garabadu andCharchabala.

Madhyahna Dhoop — This is the mid-day mealof the deities and the scheduled time is 12.30 to1 PM; the place for the Puja is Pokharia belowthe Simhasan; the system of Puja isSodashopachar. 3 Pujapandas sit on the RatnaSimhasan to take up the Puja; same Sevayatsengaged in Sakal Dhoop are also involved in thisDhoop. Materials used for preparation of Prasadare provided by temple administration.

Mainly the items offered are—arisha;pitha puli; tipuri; mathpuli: kakara; chadheilada;tata manohar; khairachula: marichaladu; pheni;takua; gaja; biribadi; anna; mugadali; pitianna; oria;marichapani; khiri; subashpakhal; sakara and panaetc.

On completion of the bhog Arati isperformed.

Madhyahna Pahuda — After the Dhoop; theprescribed item is Madhyahna Pahuda; rest forsometime; but now a days either the deities donot like to take rest or rest is not considered tobe provided; for their sound health. But as amatter of procedure Pahuda is due after the mid-day meal. However the system of Pahuda is —

that after Madhyahna Dhoop another Mailam andchange of dresses etc. are to be done by thePuspalaks. Four beds i.e Ratna Palankas are tobe brought; arranged and kept below theSimhasan by Khatseja Mekap. BadadwarPadhiari invites the deities Manima Manima; pleasecome down from Ratna Simhasan and take reston ‘Ratna Palankas.’ Thereafter the Kalahat;Beharan and Jay-Bijay doors remain closed. Thetime for opening of the doors is 6 PM.

This Pahuda is being operated only for afew days in the months of Kartika and Pausha(Pahilibhoga period). The system is generallybeing ignored due to delay in daily programme.

Sandhya Arati — Evening Arati of Sri Jagannathis done by Talachhu Mahapatra, Aratis of SriBalabhadra and Sri Subhadra is done by twoPuspalakas. Camphor Arati; 21 candles andSanjakali Arati is done by the Sevayats; standingbelow the Simhasan in front of the deities. On thedays when Madhyahna Pahuda is arranged;change of dresses and decorations are made afterevening Arati; the same procedure is followed onall Ekadasi days; but when Pahuda is notpracticable; change of dresses etc. are madebefore the evening Arati.

The Sevayats engaged are BhitarchuMahapatra; Paliamekap; Akhandamekap;Muduli; Khatsejmekap; Palia Pusupalak;Garabadu; Talicha Mahapatra and Khuntia.

Sandhya Dhoop — This is the evening tiffin ofthe deities and the scheduled time is 7 to 8 PM;the place of Puja is Pokharia below theRatnasimhasan; the system is Sodasopachar andthe Prasad is arranged on behalf of the TempleAdministration. The Sevayats who are engagedin Sakal and Madhyahna dhoop perform thisDhoop also.

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The items offered to the deities are kaanlapuli; takua; mathpuli; bhog pitha; gotali; badakakara; sana kakara; luna khuruma; amalu; suarpitha; rosh paika hiribuha; jhadeinada; subashpakhal, sana and bada kadamba etc.

After this Dhoop Arati is done by threePujapandas in three silver pots; five varieties ofAratis are made. This Arati is named asJayamangal Arati; Arati for the betterment of theuniverse.

The next item is Sahan Mela; this Niti isnot being observed at present. The system is justlike the Sahanmela performed in morning time.

Mailam and Chandanalagi — After SandhyaDhoop the dresses of the deities are changed.Before the colourful late night Badasimhar Vesha,the deities are smeared with sandalpaste, mixedwith musk and camphor, this is known asChandanlagi, its scheduled time is 10 PM.

Sevayats involved in this programme areSuar badu; Puspalak; Ghatuari; Muduli;Paliamekap; Palia Padhiari; Garabadu;Hadapnaik and Palia Khuntia.

Badasimhar Vesha and Badasimhar Dhoop— Amongst all the daily rituals, the most attractiveis the Badasimhar Vesha. During this ritualChaturddhamurti look enchanting in their grandmake-up. Badasimhar Vesha is a colourful floraldecoration with special items like karapallab;kundal; tadiga and chandrika etc. The deities areclad with Barlagi Patas, traditional Orissan tie anddye cloths (silk clothes) Jaydev’s GitagovindSlokas woven into them. This is the most beautifuland smiling appearance of the deities; after whichthey take slight light foods and go to theirrespective beds.

Badasimhar Dhoop is the last Bhog ofthe day and the scheduled time is 11.15 PM. ThreePujapandas below the Ratna Simhasan offer thePuja with Panchopachar. The items offered are— Pure ghee in a silver container; Kadali Bada;Khiri; Sakara; Pitha and Kanji. There is noprovision of Arati after this Bhog.

Khata Seja Lagi — This is going to bed andother ancillaries; a symbolic routine ritual; thescheduled time is 11.45 PM or thereafter. TheSayana Thakur; a joint image of Laxmi andNarayan with eight hands and made of gold; isshifted from Bhandar Griha and placed by theside of Sri Jagannath. Green coconut and Bidiabetel are offered to the deities; camphor Arati ismade by the Puspalakas just below theRatnasimhasan and Devdasi sings devotionalsongs near the Kalahat door within theJagamohan.

In the meantime three small bejewelledbeds (Ratna Palankas) are placed in front of thedeities below the Simhasan. Sayana Thakur isfurther shifted from Ratnavedi to Jay-Bijay doorand placed on a big Dambaru. Green coconutand Bidia betel are again offered and Puspanjaliis offered by Palia khuntia. Sayana Thakur is thentaken back to Ratna Palanka of Lord Jagannath;kept there for a while in a symbolic sleepingposition and finally removed into Bhandar Griha.

Thereafter the temple is totally vacated;all the doors are closed and sealed.

Padmanabha Mohapatra, Shree Mandira Purohit,Pratihari Lane, Matimandap Sahi, Puri.