The Glimmer of Devotion: Chita Lagi Amavasya at Shri Jagannath Temple

In the sacred calendar of the Shri Jagannath Temple, each festival and ritual carries a unique significance. Chita Lagi Amavasya, observed on the new moon day of the Shravana month, is a day of special adornment, as the deities are adorned with their bejeweled chitas (forehead ornaments). Let’s explore this beautiful tradition and its rich spiritual and historical background.

The Sacredness of Chita Lagi Amavasya

The Shravana Amavasya, known as Chita Lagi Amavasya, is when the deities receive their special golden chitas, studded with precious jewels. It is a day when devotees celebrate the divine beauty of Lord Jagannath and his siblings through these exquisite ornaments. The Chitas of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, are brought out, cleaned, and re-placed on their foreheads.

The Symbolic Adornment

The practice of adorning the deities with these precious ornaments goes back centuries. The chitas, which are removed after the Snana Purnima, are brought out of the temple treasury and cleaned by special bania servitors, in the presence of the temple officials, before being placed back on the deities.

The Chita Lagi ritual is performed in secrecy, where the doors of the inner sanctum are closed to the public. The pujapandas then perform the Maha Snana Niti (grand bathing ritual) after adorning the deities.

Details of the Divine Chitas

• Lord Balabhadra’s Neela Chita: It has a large emerald ( markata) at the center, surrounded by five circles embedded with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires.

• Lord Jagannath’s Heera Chita: This has a nayaka (lead) diamond in the middle, enclosed by seven circles with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and opals. At the top of the chita is a large, heart-shaped Brahmajyoti diamond.

• Goddess Subhadra’s Manikya Chita: The central stone is a four cornered emerald, surrounded by three circles of rubies, emeralds, diamonds and other precious stones.

These chitas are not mere adornments; they are symbolic representations of the divine glory and power of each deity, adding to the spiritual energy of the temple.

Scriptural Significance

The Skanda Purana says that those who worship Lord Kamalapati in the month of Sravana will have no rebirth. The Skanda Purana also mentions that worshiping Lord Shridhara, and offering laja (puffed rice) and ghee to the Lord, on the Amavasya of Sravana, grants freedom from sin and brings prosperity. According to the Padma Purana, offering the Lord a dish made of moong lentils on Shravana Amavasya leads to prosperity in one’s household.

The Yatra Bhagavata, a spiritual text by Balunki Pathi, an 18th century spiritual author, states that on this day, the forehead ornaments of Lord Jagannath should be replaced. The scripture notes that by performing this ritual on this day, previous year’s merit is retained.

The Rituals of Chita Lagi Amavasya

On the day of Chita Lagi Amavasya, the Bhandar Mekap servitors bring the chitas to the temple where, in the presence of Deula Karana, Tadau Karana and administrative officials, the bania sevak clean them. After this, the Pushpalak servitors remove the Jhobakanthi ornaments from the deities and hand them over to the Palia Mekap. Then the Palia Mekap hands it over to the Bhandar Mekap. Then the Pushpalak deities move the Shridevi and Bhudevi idols to the Khatshej Ghar. After this, the Palia Khuntia calls the Daita Pati servitors. The servitors then adorn the deities with the chitas.

The Palia Mekap then cleans the Singhasan (altar). The Sudha Suara servitors perform the Mahasnana ritual. After the cleaning rituals, the Pujapanda, Pati Mahapatra, and Mudirasta perform the Bandapana ritual for each deity. Several niyogas then offer alati bhoga, chhena tadia, and phala sola bhoga.

The Historical Context

The text also references the time when the deities were secretly moved to Subarnapur (Sonepur) during the Raktabahu invasion. The tradition of adorning the deities with these chitas was revived by Adi Shankaracharya, with King Yayati Keshari performing the pattabhisheka (coronation ceremony) of the deities in the rebuilt Shri Mandir.

Bringing the Sacred Home

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