-: ll 🏹 Benta Niti or Hunting Ritual in Srimandir 🏹 ll :-

Today is Phalguna Shukla Paksha Chaturthi Tithi (the fourth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Phalguna), the day of Benta. Among the many pastimes of the luxury-loving Lord Kalia (Jagannath), hunting (Mrugaya Vilas) is one. However, like many other rituals, for the Benta Niti, the wooden idol (Daru Bigraha) of Sri Jagannath seated on the Ratna Simhasana does not go; instead, His representative idol (Chalanti Pratima), Dolagobinda or Sri Rama, goes. This ritual does not happen just once a year but seven times. The dates on which the Benta Niti is performed are: Basanta Panchami, Phalguna Shukla Pratipada (first day), Phalguna Shukla Paksha Chaturthi (fourth day), Ashtami (eighth day), and Dwadashi (twelfth day).

Since Sri Rama was a Kshatriya and hunting is a duty of a Kshatriya, the representative idol Sri Rama proceeds for the Benta Niti on behalf of Mahaprabhu. After the Mangala Alati ritual of Sri Mahaprabhu is completed in the Srimandir, Sri Ramachandra proceeds from the Dakshini Ghara (South Chamber) to the Ratna Simhasana. After receiving the Agyan Mala (garland of permission/order) from Sri Mahaprabhu, He is carried in a palanquin (Handula) by the Mahajana servitors to the Benta Pokhari (Benta Pond) located at the Jagannath Ballav Matha.

There, after the Bhitarachha servitor attaches a bow and arrow to the deity’s body, the Dala Behera (Lenka servitor) pierces coconuts (Paida) as part of the hunting ritual (Benta Bindha). Out of the 6 coconuts placed there, arrows are shot at 5 of them, and one is brought back intact. Following this, Sri Ramachandra undergoes Mahasnana (grand bathing) with Panchamruta, is adorned (Besha), offered Shitala Bhoga (cooling offering) with Pancha Upachara (five types of services), and Bandapana (ritual waving of lamps) is performed. After the completion of the Benta Niti, He returns to the Bada Deula (Main Temple), undergoes Mahasnana again, and returns to the Dakshini Ghara.

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Discover the fascinating Benta Niti, Lord Jagannath’s royal hunting pastime, where His representative idol, Sri Rama, symbolically shoots coconuts to fulfill His Kshatriya duties.