Entry of the Daitas into the Temple

Today, on the Tritiya of the bright fortnight, the Daitas (servants) have entered the temple to perform the secret services of Lord Jagannath. This process began before the Mangala Aarti, and the senior Daita Sevaks (servants) who are prepared are saying this. The Daitas, known as the protectors of Shrijiu (Lord Jagannath), have a tradition of performing all the rituals from the Purnima (full moon) bath, including Navajayabana Darshan (viewing the newborn deities), Shreegundicha Yatra (the grand procession to the Shreegundicha temple), Bahuda Yatra (the procession with the flags), Sunabesh (adornment with gold), Adharapana (applying the mouth cloth), and Neeladridi Bijay (victory procession of the blue mountain).

After the entry of the Daitas, tomorrow, after the Bada Singhara (large sweet) Bhoga (offering) and Pahuda Aarti (evening Aarti), the faces of the Chaturdham Murti (the deities) will be covered with the Shriमुख Khandua (a cloth), and all the rituals will be performed. After Bada Singhara, the Daita Sevaks will perform the Bahutkantha Neeti (ritual of adorning the deities with many garlands). Afterwards, the Koth Suasiya (those who manage the temple) will enter the Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) to tie four ropes on the Ratna Singhasan (jeweled throne), and after the four ropes are tied, the Daitapatis (chief Daitas) will complete the Neeti of tying the Lord’s Sena Patta (military banner).

Daitas and Their Secret Seva

The Daitas enter Shri Mandir to begin a sequence of intimate services connected with Snana Purnima, Anasara and the later Rath Yatra period. Their duties continue through several major observances, and the Daitas also take part in protective preparations such as Bahutkantha Neeti and Sena Patta before the Lord’s ceremonial movement.

These preparations connect the temple’s secret-service period with the sequence leading toward Snana Purnima, Anasara and Rath Yatra, while protective rites prepare the deities for later ceremonial movement.

Explore more Jagannath traditions and Srimandir ritual knowledge at JustKalinga.

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