The Ekanta Niti and the Sacred Rituals at Shri Jagannath Temple

The Shri Jagannath Temple, a hub of spiritual activity, has a set of daily rituals and special observances that reflect the divine nature of the Lord and his consorts. The Ekanta Niti (seclusion ritual), performed every Thursday night, is a unique ceremony where Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi are believed to unite. Let’s explore the details of this sacred practice.

The Meaning and Significance of Ekanta Niti

The text explains that Ekanta means the divine union of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi. This is a sacred time when their energies combine in a special way. This ritual is performed every Thursday night in Shri Jagannath temple.

The Rituals and Preparations

The Ekanta Niti begins with certain specific preparations:

• Agyan Mala (Garland of Permission): Before the ritual begins, two agyan malas are placed on Lord Jagannath. One, mixed with tulsi (holy basil leaves) is placed on his right shoulder, while a plain garland is placed on his left shoulder.

• Madanmohan’s Journey: After the Sandhya Dhupa (evening offering), the Mahajana servitors bring the idol of Shri Madanmohan from the Dakshini Ghar (south wing) and place it on the Ratna Singhasana (jeweled throne). The Bidua servitor precedes this with a chhamu dihudi (torch).

• Distribution of the Agyan Mala: The Pujapanda servitor gives one of the Agyan Mala (Tulasi mixed) to Sri Madanmohan, and the other (plain) to Shridevi, which is also considered a form of Lakshmi.

• Journey to Lakshmi Temple: The Mahajana servitors then carry the idols of Shridevi and Shri Madanmohan on a palanquin, and proceed to place them at the foot of the Mukti Mandap, from where they are taken to the Saraswati Mandir, and then to the Jagamohana of the Mahalakshmi Temple, accompanied by the light of the dihudi, the sound of the ghanta (bells), and the shade of the chhatra (umbrella).

• Placement on the Bed: Inside the Jagamohana of the Mahalakshmi temple, a wooden bed has been placed for them, where they are placed for this special ritual.

• Prasad Offering: The Bhitarachha Mahapatra offers the prasad while the Sudu Suara and Asthan Padhiari offer Puja Tha for the deities. This offering includes kora (coconut gratings).

• Concluding Rituals: A Pujapanda servitor performs the worship. This includes karpoor aarati and balita aarati (camphor and wick waving). Then follows the akshata bandana (offering prayers with rice).

The Return Journey

After the bandapana, Shri Devi and Madanmohan are placed on the palanquin again. The palanquin is brought down the seven steps, and placed in front of the Garuda Stambha in the Jagamohana. From there, Shridevi is taken back to the Ratna Singhasan, and Shri Madanmohan is taken to the Dakshini Ghar. Thus, concluding the Ekanta Niti.

A Symbol of Divine Union

The Ekanta Niti is a special time of union between Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi, symbolizing the union of divine consciousness and divine energy. It is also a symbol of the eternal love and devotion between the Lord and his devotees.

Bringing the Divine Union Home

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Jai jagannath 😊 🙏