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. 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 […]
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): “ […]
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 […]
