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 […]
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 […]
Mother 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 […]
Badi Nrusingha Bijé reflects the unique Jagannath consciousness and culture of Shri Kshetra Puri. 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): “ […]
