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Daily Rituals:
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- Dwarpitha and Mangal Aarati at 5 a.m
The door opens early in the morning in the presence of five specific sevayats after
verification of the “seal” given by a particular sevayat in the last night. Soon
after the opening of the door, Mangal Aarati is performed.
- “Mailam” at 6 a.m.
“Mailam” is a word used in Sri Jagannath Temple, which means change or removal
of dresses and flowers etc. At this time some specific sevaks change the clothes, flowers,
Tulasi leaves of the deities worn on the previous night. After removal of clothes, the
clothes known as “Tadap” and “Uttariya” are worn by the deities.
- “Abakash” – 6 a.m. to 6.30 a.m.
Purificatory rites like brushing of teeth and bath is known as “Abakash”. At
this time, Temple Jyotishi (Astrologer) reads out the tithi(day and date) and other
astrological details of the day and according to that, that day's rituals are performed.
- “Mailam” 6.45 a.m.
At this time deities change their clothes (Tadap and Uttariya) and wear another set of
clothes. A sevak known as “Akhanda Mekap” keeps in the sanctum Akhanda Baitha
i.e. one lamp which burns till “Pahuda” or the time of the retirement of the
deities to bed.
- “Sahanamela” – 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Though this is not a part of the rituals, but about one hour is spent to facilitate
pilgrims to go up to “Ratnavedi” or inner sanctums to have a Darshan, without
paying fees for it. On certain festive days, Sahanamela is held after “Sandhya
dhupa” (Evening Puja or Sandhya Aarati in the month of Kartik) and after Sakaldhupa
(in the month of Pausha). Some times this darshan is not allowed for some special rituals
of the deities.
- “Beshalagi” – 8 a.m.
After Sahanamela the deities are again dressed up which can be witnessed from a little
distance i.e.” Bhitara Katha”. At this time, Deities are also adorned with gold
and precious stones to suit different festive occasions.
- Rosha Homa Surya Puja and Dwarapal– 8 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.
While some sevayats are busy with vesha lagi or the Deities, Pujapandas at that time
perform “Rosha Homa” (Fire Sacrifice) at the kitchen and “Surya puja”
at the surya temple near “Mukti Mandap”. Then the images of two gate keepers
named Jaya and Vijaya on the entrance of the Jagamohan of the Temple are worshipped.
- Gopala Ballava Puja– 9 a.m.
The prescribed time is 9 A.M. This is the time for breakfast of the deities. At this time
sweet popcorn (Khai), Khualadus, Coconut sweets (Kora), Ripe banana, Curd, and chipped
coconuts etc. are offered as bhogas. Puja is performed in a brief manner with pancha
upachar only.
- Sakala Dhupa(Morning food offering) 10 a.m
At this time puja is performed by three Pujapandas with 16 Upachars or Sodasha Upachars.
Three Pujapandas used to sit on Ratnasinhasana to worship three deities Shri Balabhadra,
Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath. The Pujapanda who worships Lord Jagannath also worships Sri
Devi, Bhudevi, and Sudarshan. The morning bhoga or food offered to the deities contains
Rice, Kanika, Khechudi, Green leaves, Cakes etc. The local 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 are borne by the Temple
Administration. Previously Raja-Superintendent of the temple born the cost of materials
for preparation of Bhoga. So these Bhogas are also called “Raja Bhoga” or
“Kotha Bhoga”.
- Mailam and Bhoga Mandap:
After Morning Dhupa or Puja the Deities change their 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, Saga and Cakes of different kinds etc. are offered
to the Deities. Pujapandas worship this bhog with Pancha Upacharas. The cost of Bhoga
Mandap offerings are not borne by the state or Temple Administration. This bhoga is mainly
prepared to meet the need of different Mathas(Monasteries) and for sale to the general
public. According to the demand, Bhogamandap Puja is made twice or thrice a day i.e. after
“Madhyanha Dhoop” and “Sandhya Dhup” also.
- Madhyanha (Afternoon food offering) 11 A.M. to 1 P.M.
Like Sakal Dhupa, this puja is also performed with Shodasha Upachar in the afternoon. The
Bhoga items are more in number than that of Morning Dhupa. One can go near to the
“Ratna Simhasan” for darshan by paying special Darshan fee of Rs. 10/- after
Madhyanha Dhupa and Sakal Dhupa.
- Madhyanha Pahudha - 1 p.m. to 1.30 p.m
If rituals have been performed in time and if time permits, the Deities retire for the
afternoon.
- Sandhya Aarati
In the evening again aaratis are performed after Madhyana Dhupa Mailam. On Ekadashi day,
the deities change their clothes and wear another set after “Aarati” is over.
- Sandhya Dhupa – 7 p.m. to 8 p.m
After “Sandhya Aarati” again Bhogas are offered to the deities in the same
manner like Sakala and Madhyanha Dhupa but this time Bhoga amount is less in
quantity and number. After Puja again lamp offering is made which is called as “Jaya
Mangala Aarati”.
- Mailam and Chandana lagi
After “Sandhya Dhoopa” deities change their clothes and are annointed with
Sandal paste mixed with champhor, keshar and Kasturi. One can witness this ritual by
paying special Darshan fees of Rs. 10/-.
- Badashringar Vesha
After Chandan lagi, deities are dressed with Baralagi Patta (silken robes on which some
portions of Geeta Govinda of Jayadev are woven in to the texture of these robes) and
flower ornaments.
- Badashringara Bhoga
This is the last bhoga of the day. Puja is offered with Pancha Upachar by the Puja Pandas
with Pakhal (watered rice), Kadali bada, Kshiri, Kanji etc.
- Khata Seja Lagi and Pahuda 12.00
The bedsteads of the deities are arranged. The Deity of “Sayan Thakura” is
carried from Bhandarghar to Ratnavedi or Ratnasimhasana and place the deity near Lord
Jagannath. Then follows offering of green coconut, betels and camphor aarati and then
deities retire to their beds. The door is sealed then by the Sevayat (Talichha Mohapatra).
Temple is closed and no visitors or outsiders are allowed to remain inside.
This is in brief the daily rituals observed in the Temple. It is generally not possible to
follow the time prescribed for each ritual on account of various practical difficulties.
On the specific festive days, additional rituals are performed. As a result, changes in
timings and alterations in the routine rituals are made.
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