“Jo Harih Sa Harah Sakshat Yo Harah Sa Harih Sada.” He who is Hari is Hara, and he who is Hara is Hari. There is no difference between the two. After the Avakasha Niti (ritual), Balabhadra, the elder Thakur, is adorned in the Harihara Besha. Half of the Thakur’s divine body is covered with white […]
The Lord spoke in a voice as deep as the clouds, “O villagers! The words of the younger Brahmin are not untrue. Keeping me as a witness, the elder Brahmin had promised to give his daughter in marriage to him. You should all proceed with the wedding ceremony with joy and without a shred of […]
The last five days of the Kartika month (from Kartika Shukla Ekadashi to Purnima) are observed as the holy Panchaka. It is also known as Maha Panchaka, Baka Panchaka, Bhishma Panchaka, or Vishnu Panchaka. Those who are unable to observe ‘Habishya’ (a restricted, pure vegetarian diet) for the entire month of Kartika, follow it during […]
On the thirteenth day of the bright fortnight of the Kartika month, the Adakia Besha or Trivikram Besha of the deities is held in the Shree Mandir. This adornment begins in the morning after the completion of the ‘Abakasha’ ritual of the Shree Jius. The Pushpalaka servitors perform this decoration. In the Adakia Besha, ‘Chula’ […]
During the Sandhya Dhupa (evening food offering), two Agyamalas (garlands of consent) are offered to Mahaprabhu (Lord Jagannath). After the offering is complete and the ritual cleansing with water (Pani Padiba) is done, Shri Madanmohan is brought from the Dakhina Ghara (the southern chamber) to the Ratnasimhasana (the bejeweled throne). The Pujapanda (a category of priest) then gives the Agyamalas from Mahaprabhu’s divine form to Shri Madanmohan […]
There are certain legends that have remained alive in the minds and beliefs of people for a long time. The various rituals, festivals, and adornments (besha) of Sri Sri Jagannath Mahaprabhu are always unique and not performed in any other temple. Despite many storms and upheavals, these traditions have survived. The strong faith and belief […]
In the Hindu religion, the Ekadashi tithi (the 11th lunar day) is extremely significant. An Ekadashi occurs in both the dark (Krishna Paksha) and bright (Shukla Paksha) fortnights of every month. On Ekadashi day, Lord Vishnu is worshipped, and a strict fast (vrat) is observed. While every Ekadashi has its own importance, each also has a different […]
Today, after the completion of the Abakasha (morning ablution) ritual, sandalwood paste is applied to the three deities (Tini Bada). Following this, they are adorned with new clothes and specific ornaments, which constitutes their Rajabesha (Royal Attire). After the Gopalaballabha and Sakala Dhupa (morning food offerings) are concluded, the divine weapons, which are worshipped at the entrance of the Bhandara Ghara (temple treasury), undergo a Mahasnana (grand […]
This is a unique tradition of the Sebāyat (servitor) community, also known as Balipuja or Janhi Osha. Unmarried girls observe this vrat (ritual observance) to be blessed with a good husband in the future. From Ashwina Shukla Panchami to Ashtami (the fifth to the eighth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Ashwina), they go to the Markandeshwar […]
The Ratha Yatra of 1972 An Experience of His Majesty Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb, the First Servitor of Lord Sri Jagannath At that time, the present Gajapati Maharaja, His Majesty Dibyasingha Deb, had only recently ascended the throne (in 1970). On that day, the Pahandi (ceremonial procession) of the deities to ascend their respective chariots began with great […]
