‘Dudha Melana’ Festival at Shrimandir

Today, the ‘Dudha Melana’ (Milk Confluence) ritual was observed at Shrimandir. While the ‘Chaula Melana’ (Rice Confluence) and ‘Phula Melana’ (Flower Confluence) rituals take place on the day before Makara Sankranti, the special ‘Dudha Melana’ ritual is held on the day before the end of the lunar month (Masanta).

According to the temple’s ‘Swatwalipi’ (Record of Rights), during the ‘Dudha Melana’ ritual, cowherds (Gopalas) bring pots of milk from various regions, and the ‘Godhana’ (milking/cow-worship) ritual is performed at the Jagannath Ballav Matha. This milk is then carried to Shrimandir in a grand procession accompanied by the sounds of bells (Ghanta), ceremonial umbrellas (Chhatra), and trumpets (Kahali).

Today, following the completion of the Madhyanha Dhupa (midday offering), the representative deities Rama and Krishna were brought out from the Dakshina Ghara (Southern Room) to the Ratna Singhasana. Lord Rama received the Agyanmala (divine decree garland) from Lord Balabhadra, and Lord Krishna received it from Lord Jagannath. They were then carried by the Mahajana servitors to the palanquin located near the Kalpabata (sacred banyan tree).

Thereafter, the Bimanabadu servitors carried Rama and Krishna in a procession with bells, umbrellas, and fly-whisks (Chamara) to the Jagannath Ballav Matha. A sand altar (Bali Bedi) had been prepared there under a decorated canopy. Once the two deities arrived, the cowherds, wearing ‘Baghamuha’ (tiger-face masks/coverings), handed over the pots of collected milk to the Kotha Mahabhoi. The Mahabhoi then offered a small portion of the milk to the Bhitarachha servitor for the Sarpa Manohi (divine offering), while the rest of the milk was carried to the temple in shoulder slings (Bhara).

After the representative idols returned to the Natamandapa (dancing hall), the Puja Panda servitors performed the Prasad Lagi (offering) and Vandapana (ritual adoration). Finally, Rama and Krishna were returned to the Dakshina Ghara. 🙏❤️

Divine Dudha Melana: Milk offering ritual by Gopalas for Rama-Krishna.