Category Archives: Articles

Jay Jagannath, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya. Mahaprabhu’s world-famous Shri Gundicha Yatra is held every year from Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya (2nd day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha) until Ashadha Shukla Trayodashi (13th day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha) (Niladri Bije – the final return to the temple). This Ratha Yatra is known by various […]

Jay Jagannath, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya. Various Gundicha Yatras are observed in Srimandir. These are:- (1) Shakta Gundicha(2) Saura Gundicha(3) Shaiva Gundicha(4) Shri Gundicha (3) Shaiva Gundicha :- The ‘Shaiva Gundicha’ ritual (niti) is observed on the sacred Chaitra Shukla Ashtami tithi (8th day of the bright fortnight of the Chaitra month). The Mahajana servitors take […]

In the year when Vaishakha Shukla Navami (9th day of the bright fortnight of the Vaishakha month) falls on a Thursday coinciding with Shravana Nakshatra and Makara Rashi (Capricorn constellation), Shri Jagannath’s Raghunath Besha takes place. Shri Ramanujacharya introduced this Besha (attire/decoration). Gajapati Ramachandra Deb, in the 11th Anka (regnal year) of his reign, on […]

The whole country understands Friday as Lakshmi’s day, but why is Lakshmi’s day Thursday in Odisha? I asked such an 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. Brushing himself off, he said, “Son! It’s […]

Unique is our Jagannath consciousness and culture. Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath performs various human-like divine plays (Lilas) in this Srikhetra (Puri). Certain rituals (Niti) and traditions (Parampara) of Mahaprabhu are associated with every calamity that befalls human society. That is why it is described in the scriptures (Shastras): “ Hiraṇyakaśipuṁ hatvā devadevaṁ jagadguruṁ|Sukhāsīnaṁ tadutsaṅge śāntakopaṁ ramāpatim||”(This […]

During the 18 attacks by Mughal forces (and other rulers) on the Shri Jagannath Temple, Mahaprabhu (the Great Lord) left the Ratnasinghasan (Jewelled Throne) 21 times and enacted his divine play (Lila) in various places. Among these, He graced (Bijé Karithile) this area (Kshetra) in 1731 AD. Since Mahaprabhu accepted the Kankana fruit as Bhoga […]

Only the King of Nepal is permitted to perform Aarti (ritual waving of lamps) upon Mahaprabhu’s Ratnabedi (Jewelled Platform). This is solely the right of the Nepalese royal family; even the Gajapati Maharaja, considered the primary servitor (sevak) of Mahaprabhu, does not possess the right to perform Aarti on the Ratnabedi. According to tradition, only […]

Only the King of Nepal is permitted to perform Aarti (ritual waving of lamps) upon Mahaprabhu’s Ratnabedi (Jewelled Platform). This is solely the right of the Nepalese royal family; even the Gajapati Maharaja, considered the primary servitor (sevak) of Mahaprabhu, does not possess the right to perform Aarti on the Ratnabedi. According to tradition, only […]

Within Srikhetra (Puri), there is a mandap (pavilion) that is architecturally attractive and charming with its sculptural art, located in the north-east corner of the Srimandir (Jagannath Temple). It is famous as the Dolabedi. The Dola Yatra (festival) held around Phalguna Purnima (full moon in Feb/Mar) is as attractive as this Bedi (platform) itself is. […]

Jai Jagannath, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya. Various Gundicha Yatras are celebrated in the Srimandir. These are: (1) Shakta Gundicha(2) Saura Gundicha(3) Shaiva Gundicha(4) Sri Gundicha (1) ‘Shakta Gundicha’ or ‘Sharadiya Gundicha’: This yatra is observed from Ashwina Krushna Ashtami (the 8th day of the dark fortnight of Ashwina month), also known as Mulastami, until Ashwina Shukla […]