The velvet canopy of the pre-spring sky holds a secret that ancient sages decoded millennia ago. While most civilizations celebrate the sun, the Vedic tradition carves out a sacred space for the darkest night of the year: Mahashivratri. It is not merely a date on a lunar calendar; it is a celestial phenomenon, a spiritual […]
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⚫❗⚫“O Vishwanatha, Shiva, Shankara, God of Gods,Holder of the Ganges, Leader of the Pramathas, Lord of Nandi.Enemy of Bana and Andhaka, Hara, Lokanatha,Savior from the deep wilderness of worldly sorrows, O Lord of the Universe, protect me.” To the west of the Srimandir (Jagannath Temple), Lord Sri Lokanatha Mahadev resides. This is an ancient temple. […]
⚫❗⚫“From a million leagues away, the elephant called out, O King of Gods! With your four arms, You leaned in and heard his desperate cry.” Today is the holy Magha Purnima. According to tradition, every year on Magha Purnima, the Gaja Uddharana Besha of the deities stationed on the Ratna Singhasana (the Golden Throne) is held in the […]
The Ekadashi falling in the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Magha is celebrated as Bhishma Ekadashi. It is also known as Jaya Ekadashi or Bhaimi Ekadashi. It is said that the Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram (the thousand names of Lord Vishnu) was born on this very day. By fasting on this day, remembering Bhishma Pitamah, and chanting the Vishnu […]
⚫❗⚫🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 “Eyes adorned with deep kohl,Neck graced by a string of pearls,Hands beautified by the Veena and the Book,I bow to Thee, Bhagavati Bharati (Saraswati).With a pure heart, Goddess Saraswati has arrived,With gem-studded earrings adorning Her ears.With a necklace of elephant-pearls around Her neck,O Mother Saraswati, bestow upon us the treasure of knowledge.” This puja […]
“For the sake of the beautiful saint, the Lotus Attire is Yours;The only attire that remains throughout the full night’s sleep.” Tonight, the divine Padma Besha of the Lords will be held at the Shri Mandir. In this attire, the deities will perform the Badasinghara ritual and go to sleep (Pahuda). General devotees will be able to witness this […]
⚫❗⚫“Byanjanannani dibyani pupanscha bibidhanapi |Chatuh sankhyadhikasiti prakaram bibidham bahum ||”— Bamadeba Samhita(Translation: Various divine cooked dishes and multiple types of cakes, numbering eighty-four varieties, are offered.) Among the twelve major festivals (Dwadasa Jatra) of Lord Shri Jagannath, the Uttarayana Jatra, celebrated on the Sankranti of the month of Pausha, is known as Makara Sankranti. On this day, special […]
The Nabanka Besha, also known as the Phula Melana (Flower Confluence) ritual of Lord Jagannath, will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The Phula Melana Ritual:For the ‘Phula Melana’ on this auspicious day, the traditional gardeners (Malis) wear Baghamuha (tiger-face masks) and carry various floral ornaments such as Mala (garlands), Chula, and Kabara. Accompanied by the Bhitarasevaka (inner servitors) in a grand procession featuring bells (Ghanta), […]
The Gaja Uddharana Besha (The Elephant Rescue Costume) of Lord Jagannath is observed on the day of Magha Purnima (the full moon day of the Hindu month of Magha). This ritual commemorates the event when Lord Jagannath rescued an elephant from the clutches of a crocodile. There is a legendary mythological story behind this Besha. In his previous birth, […]
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 […]












