Daily Rituals of Shree Jagannath Temple: A Divine Routine

The Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri, is not only a spiritual place but is also the location of numerous intricate and important rituals which have been performed for centuries. The daily rituals of Shree Jagannath temple are the rituals performed in the worship of Lord Jagannath and his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, following a very systematic and emplaced process which is conducted by several servitors also known as sevakas. These rituals are called nitis and are the manifestation of people’s devotion and reverence towards the deities. The daily rituals of Shree Jagannath Temple start in the early morning and continue till midnight, giving the devotees a chance to have a look at the life inside the temple.

Daily Rituals of Shree Jagannath Temple

Beginning of the Day: The Opening Rituals

  1. Dwaraphita (Opening of the Doors):
    Around 4:30 AM, the temple doors are opened by a group of servitors, including Bhitarchha Mahapatra, Pratihari, etc. The Talichha Mahapatra ensures the previous night’s seal is intact before breaking it. Pratihari open the sanctum doors and start the day’s rituals.
  2. Mangala Alati (Auspicious Lamp Offering):
    At 5:30 AM, lamps are offered to the deities in a ritual known as Mangala Alati. Three types of alati called Karpura Alati, Bati Alati, and Pithau Alati is performed by Bhitarchha Mahapatra and two Puspalaka servitorsand. And start the day with god’s blessings.
  3. Mailam (Removal of Night Adornments):
    At 6:00 AM the deities are preapred for the day. In the night’s attire and flowers are removed, the fresh cotton garments called Tadap and Uttariya, are offered.
daily rituals of shree jagannath temple

Morning Rituals: Preparing for the Day

  1. Abakasha (Morning Ablutions):
    At 6:30 AM the deities are cleansed in a symbolic way. The servitors perform dental cleaning and bathing rituals using water mixed with camphor, curd and other sacred substances which are reflected on brass mirrors. The temple astrologer tells about the day’s astrological details and then does the Pancha Upachara puja.
  2. Rosha Homa (Sacrificial Fire):
    Before cooking begins for the day, a fire sacrifice is made in front of the temple kitchen by a Pujapanda servitor to make the whole place holy.
  3. Gopal Ballav Bhoga (Breakfast Offering):
    At 8:30 AM, the deities’ breakfast is also served. Coconut sweets, ripe bananas, curd, and sweet popcorn are placed near the Kalahat door and offered to the deities.
  4. Sakala Dhupa (Morning Food Offering):
    Between 9:00 – 10:00 AM, a royal meal called Raj Bhoga is served. It is made in the temple kitchen and includes items such as rice, dal, black gram and sweets.

Midday Rituals

  1. Mailama:
    After the breakfast, the gods are decorate with new clothes and flower garlands.
  2. Bhoga Mandap:
    At 11.30 AM another offering is made in the Bhoga Mandap hall. This bhoga is mainly for the general public and pilgrims.
  3. Madhyahna Dhupa (Midday Food Offering):
    Like the morning offering this midday ritual is also similar. Multiple dishes are offered in the sanctum sanctorum.

Evening Rituals: The Transition to Night

  1. Sandhya Alati (Evening Lamp Offering):
    At 6:00 PM sacred lamps are once again offered, As evening rituals.
  2. Sandhya Dhupa (Evening Food Offering):
    Between 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM, another meal is offered to the deities. Watered rice and sweet cakes are also included in it.
  3. Chandanalagi:
    After the evening meal the deities are coated with sandal paste mixed with camphor and saffron.

Night Rituals: Preparing for Rest

  1. Badasinghara Besha (Night Adornment):
    Between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM, the gods and goddesses are put in their nightwear, decorated with floral garlands and fed Tulsi leaves.
  2. Badasinghara Dhupa (Night Food Offering):
    At 10:30 PM, the last meal offered consist of watered rice and sweet dishes.
  3. Khata Seja Lagi & Pahuda (Resting Ritual):
    The deities are rested at 11:30 PM after a ceremonial preparation for rest. The sanctum doors are closed, and the temple shut down, thus marking the end of the day.

Daily Seva Schedule

Time Ritual Name Description
4:30 AM Dwaraphita Opening of the temple doors by designated servitors.
5:30 AM Mangala Alati Offering of auspicious lamps to the deities.
6:00 AM Mailam Removal of previous night’s attire and floral decorations.
6:30 AM Abakasha Morning ablutions, including cleaning the deities’ teeth and bathing rituals.
7:45 AM Surya Puja Worship of the Sun God by servitors near the Muktimandap.
8:30 AM Gopal Ballav Bhoga Breakfast offering, including sweets, fruits, and curd.
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Sakala Dhupa Morning meal offering (*Raj Bhoga*) with multiple dishes.
11:30 AM Bhoga Mandap Additional food offering for pilgrims and institutions in the Bhoga Mandap Hall.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Madhyahna Dhupa Midday meal offering with rice, curries, and sweet dishes.
6:00 PM Sandhya Alati Evening lamp offering to mark the transition to nighttime.
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Sandhya Dhupa Evening meal offering with watered rice and sweet cakes.
9:00 PM – 10:00 PM Badasinghara Besha Night adornment of the deities with floral ornaments and silken attire.
10:30 PM Badasinghara Dhupa Final food offering, including watered rice and sweet dishes.
11:30 PM Khata Seja Lagi & Pahuda Preparation for rest, sealing the temple doors, and clearing the precincts.

Conclusion

The daily rituals of the Shri Jagannath Temple are a combination of devotion, tradition and extreme planning. These rituals are carried out by about 85-90 dedicated servitors and are kept to preserve the sanctity and the grandeur of the temple as well as to provide a very spiritual experience to the devotees. Although times may change, the core of these rituals stays the same and beautifully illustrates the eternal relationship between Lord Jagannath and his devotees.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Daily Rituals of Jagannath Temple

Q1: What is the significance of the daily rituals at Shree Jagannath Temple?

The daily rituals at Shree Jagannath Temple, known as nitis, are deeply spiritual practices that have been followed for centuries. These rituals reflect the devotion and reverence of the devotees towards Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, and they form an essential part of temple life, running from early morning until midnight.

Q2: Who performs the rituals at the temple?

The rituals are performed by dedicated servitors known as sevakas. Specific roles include Bhitarchha Mahapatra, Pratihari, Puspalaka servitors, Talichha Mahapatra, and other temple priests who follow strict guidelines and traditions.

Q3: When do the daily rituals begin at the temple?

The day at Shree Jagannath Temple begins around 4:30 AM with the ritual of Dwaraphita (Opening of the Doors).

Q4: What is Dwaraphita?

Dwaraphita refers to the ceremonial opening of the temple doors. The servitors ensure that the previous night’s seal is intact before opening the sanctum to begin the day’s rituals.

Q5: What is Mangala Alati?

Mangala Alati is the auspicious lamp offering to the deities, performed around 5:30 AM. Three types of lamp offerings—Karpura Alati, Bati Alati, and Pithau Alati—are performed to invoke blessings for the day.

Q6: What happens during Mailam?

Mailam, conducted at around 6:00 AM, involves the removal of the deities’ night attire and floral decorations. Fresh cotton garments called Tadap and Uttariya are then offered to prepare the deities for the day.

Q7: What is Abakasha ritual?

Abakasha is the morning ablution ritual performed at 6:30 AM. It involves the symbolic cleansing of the deities using sacred substances like camphor, curd, and holy water, reflected through brass mirrors. It also includes dental cleaning and bathing rituals.

Q8: Who provides the day’s astrological details at the temple?

The temple astrologer, as part of the Abakasha ritual, shares the astrological details for the day and performs the Pancha Upachara puja.

Q9: What is Rosha Homa?

Rosha Homa is a fire sacrifice ritual performed before cooking begins in the temple kitchen. It is carried out by the temple priests to sanctify the food preparation area.

Q10: Are devotees allowed to witness these rituals?

Yes, devotees can witness many of these daily rituals, which gives them a unique and profound experience of the temple’s spiritual atmosphere.

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