Sita Navami celebrates the sacred appearance of Maa Sita, also revered as Janaki, Maithili, Vaidehi and Bhumija. On Sita Navami, this article records special Shrimandir rituals for Sita Devi and recounts traditions about her birth and divine identity. Sita Navami at Shrimandir and the Birth of Maa Sita What is Sita Navami? Sita Navami marks […]
Niladri Mahodaya Ashtami is presented here as a sacred Vaishakha observance of Lord Jagannath at Shrimandir. The Niladri Mahodaya Ashtami rituals include the ceremonial water consecration associated with 108 pots, Chandan Sarvangikara, special bhoga and the later movement of the representative deities for Chandan Yatra. Niladri Mahodaya Ashtami and Jala Abhisheka at Shrimandir Today is […]
Today, on the auspicious Vaishakha Shukla Paksha Saptami Tithi, the ritual of Jaladhibasa (Water Confinement) is being performed. This ritual is held in preparation for the Jala Abhisheka (Water Consecration) of Mahaprabhu on the upcoming Niladri Mahodaya Ashtami Tithi. Water Confinement: Preparation of 108 Sacred Pots Today, after the completion of the night Chandan Lagi […]
Mahalakshmi is worshipped with a distinctive Thursday tradition in Odisha. Why is Lakshmi’s day Thursday here when Friday is commonly associated with Lakshmi elsewhere? I asked this extraordinary question in a very ordinary manner to a Sadhu (holy man/ascetic). The Sadhu, who was resting tiredly under a banyan tree outside the Gundicha Temple, got up. […]
Jay Jagannath, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya. This Part 6 article explains Ghosha Yatra through the sacred Mahavedi Mahotsav tradition at Gundicha Temple. The third name of this Ratha Yatra is:- Ghosha Yatra and Mahavedi Mahotsav (3) Mahavedi Mahotsav or Janmabedi or Antarvedi Yatra: Within the Gundicha Temple lies the ‘Yajnabedi’ (sacrificial altar) or ‘Mahavedi’ (great altar) […]
The word ‘Baruth’ means armor or shield (sānju or kabacha). She who protects beings from all crises like armor is ‘Varuthini’. Thus, the Ekadashi of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of Vaishakha month is named ‘Varuthini Ekadashi’. This means this Ekadashi rescues beings from all dangers. Its significance is heightened because it falls in the […]
Danda Chhatra Niti is a distinctive Srimandir ritual centered on the ceremonial white umbrella offered in the service of Lord Jagannath. The Danda Chhatra Niti described here takes place around Varuthini Ekadashi and is connected with Bada Singhara, Bandapana and other late-night temple services. Danda Chhatra Niti at Srimandir During Danda Chhatra Niti, designated servitors […]
Jay Jagannath, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya. This part explains why Ratha Yatra is also known as Ghosha Yatra. The second name of this Ratha Yatra is:- Ghosha Yatra: Proclamation and Sacred Sound It is named Ghosha Yatra because Jagat ra Nath Shri Jagannath Mahaprabhu, the Lord of the Universe, travels seated on the Nandighosha chariot […]
Jay Jagannath, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya. This Part 4 article explains Patitapabana Yatra, one of the sacred names associated with Mahaprabhu’s world-famous Ratha Yatra. Mahaprabhu’s world-famous Shri Gundicha Yatra is held every year from Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya, the second day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha, until Ashadha Shukla Trayodashi, which concludes with Niladri Bije, […]
Jay Jagannath, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya. This Part 3 entry in the Ghosha Yatra Srimandir series explains two sacred traditions: Shaiva Gundicha and Mahaprabhu’s Shri Gundicha Yatra. Various Gundicha Yatras are observed in Srimandir. The traditions named in this article are Shakta Gundicha, Saura Gundicha, Shaiva Gundicha and Shri Gundicha. Ghosha Yatra Srimandir: Shaiva and […]
