A Guide to Devotion: Exploring the Darshan Vidhi and Niti at Shri Jagannath Temple

The Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri is a sacred space where millions come to experience the divine presence of Lord Jagannath. This blog post will serve as a guide to understand the traditional methods for viewing the deities, as well as the daily rituals, or Devaniti, that govern temple life. We will also delve into the kinds of offerings and the times when visitors can experience the divine darshan.

The Path of Devotion: Darshan Vidhi

The prescribed path for darshan (viewing) of the deities at the Shri Jagannath Temple includes several steps, each with its unique significance:

• Entering through the Singha Dwara (Lion’s Gate):

  • Right Side: View the 22-armed Nrusingha and Patitapabana.

  • Left Side: View Mahavir, Ganesha, and other deities.

• At the Baisi Pahacha (22 Steps): Stand on the Yama Shila, look at the Neelachakra (blue wheel).

• After the Baisi Pahacha:

  • Left Side: View Kashi Vishwanath, Shri Ramachandra, and Nrusingha.

• Entering the Kurma Beda (Inner Enclosure):

  • Begin by circumambulating (walking around the shrines).

  • View Satya Narayana, Bala Mukunda at the base of the Kalpa Bata tree, Hari Sahadeva, Bata Jagannath, Bata Ganesh, Pancha Mahadev, Bata Mangala, Kalpabata tree, Indrani Temple, Kutta Machandi, Ananta Shayan, Mukti Mandap, Adi Nrusingha, Rohini Kunda, Bimala Thakurani, Sakshi Gopal, Kanchi Ganesha, Nisha Nrusingha, Nisha Baraha, Saraswati Temple, Bhubaneshwari Thakurani, Sasthi Devi, Nilamadhava, Bedha Kali, Mahalakshmi Temple, Navagraha Temple, Surya Temple, Nisha Tribikram, Sri Ram Chandra Temple, Hayagreeva, and Pataleshwara Mahadev.

• Ascending the Seven Steps to the Natamandapa:

  • View Shiva and Brahma (behind the Garuda stambha), then Lord Jagannath, and embrace the Garuda Khambha.

• In the Natamandapa:

  • View all the presiding deities.

• Entering Jagamohana:

  • Greet Jaya and Vijaya near the Nandabarta (The area of the Jagamohan near the doors).

  • View Lord Jagannath.

• Outside Bhandar Ghar (Store Room):

  • View Deva Deva Lokanath, Devi Durga, and the deities in their sleeping form.

• Exiting through the Beharana Dwara:

  • View all the deities in the southern portion.

• In the Ananda Bazar (Food Market):

  • Partake in Mahaprasad.

  • See the Snana Bedi (bathing platform).

• On the Northern Side: View Ishaneshwara Mahadev, Shitala Thakurani, Mahavir, and Koili Baikuntha.

• On the Western Side: View Kana Pata Mahavir, the Char Dham temple, and the Niladri Upaban.

• On the Southern Side: View the Sri Ram Chandra Mandir, the Bara Bhai Hanuman temple, and the Bhagavat Mandir.

By following this path of darshan, devotees believe that they attain the full spiritual merit of visiting Lord Niladri Nath.

The Daily Rhythm: Devaniti at Shri Jagannath Temple

The daily rituals at the Shri Jagannath Temple follow a strict schedule, governed by the Madala Panji (temple chronicle):

• Three Dhupas (Offerings): Performed using sixteen upacharas (procedures), these include:

  • Sakala Dhupa (Morning Dhupa) at 10:00 AM.

  • Madhyahna Dhupa (Midday Dhupa) at 12:30-1:00 PM.

  • Sandhya Dhupa (Evening Dhupa) at 7:00 – 8:00 PM.

• Three Bhogas (Feasts): The food offerings are made using five upacharas (procedures):

  • Gopala Ballabha Bhoga (First Bhoga) at 8:30 AM

  • Bhoga Mandap Bhoga/Bada Sankhudi Bhoga (Second Bhoga) at 11:00 AM

  • Bada Singhar Bhoga (Third Bhoga) at 11:15 PM.

• Five Avakashas (Intermissions): Intervals when special temple rituals are conducted and the public is not allowed in the main temple.

• Two Pahudas (Rest): Daily rest periods for the deities where the public darshan is not allowed.

The details of these rituals are as follows:

Sakala Dhupa (Morning Dhupa)

Performed at 10:00 AM on the Ratna Vedi. It is considered the day’s first offering of Kotha Bhoga or Raj Bhoga:

• Bada Kanti: 5 Shara

• Sana Kanti: 3 Shara

• Enduri: 6 pieces (each divided into 2 parts, a total of 12)

• Pitha Puli: 4 Shara

• Mitha Puli: 6

• Dahi Amalu and grey: 1 shara

• Hansakeli: 2 shara

• Kakapua Jhilli: 4 pieces

• Ada Pachedi: 4 Shara

• Bundia: 1 Sara

• Bada Kania: 3 Kudua

• Sana Kania: 2 Kudua

• Khechudi: 6 Khuda

• Nukhura Khechudi: 3

• Sana Khechudi: 3

• Shri Balabhadra Khechudi: 2 Kudua

• Taila Khechudi: 3

• Mendha Mundia: 1 piece

• Saga: 5

• Chanda for Pujapanda: 9

Madhyahna Dhupa/ Dipahara Dhupa (Midday Dhupa)

Performed from 12:30 to 1:00 PM. It is offered after the third Avakash and the Dina Pahuda (day rest). This includes:

• Bada Pitha: 4 Shara

• Bada Kakara: 9 pieces

• Sana Kakara: 4 Shara

• Bada Pushpalak Arisa: 10

• Bada Arisa: 18

• Sana Arisa: 21

• Paaga Arisa: 9

• Boka Arisa: 6

• Matha Puli: 17 pieces

• Bada Bada: 9 pieces

• Chadei Nanda: 2 Oli

• Chadeinanda Gula: 10 pieces

• Suara Manohar: 30

• Manohar: 8

• Bada Khaira Chula: 1

• Sana Khaira Chula: 4

• Gaja: 1 Oli (24 pieces)

• Biri Badi: 4 Oli

• Thali Anna for Balabhadra: 9 Kudua

• Thali Anna for Jagannath: 4 Kudua

• Thali Anna for Subhadra: 2 Kudua

• Thali Anna for Sudarshan Chakra: 2 Kudua

• Sana Oli Oria: 4 Oli

• Bhoga Odia Bada: 10 Oli

• Pita Anna: 4 Oli

• Muga Dali: 4 Oli

• Sana Oli Marichi Pani: 4 Oli

• Bada Oli Marichi Pani: 4 Oli

• Sana Amba: 5 Oli

• Bada Khirisa: 1 Oli

• Oli Bada Khirisa: 4 Oli

• Subasa Pakhala: 11 Oli

• Chhena Pitha: 2 Shara

• Shakara: 2 Oli

• Panaka: 5 Oli

• Kadamba Handi: 3 pieces

• Jhanda Tada: 1

• Marichi Ladu: 50

• Thali Paka Dhaula: 9

• Tripuri: 5 Shara

Sandhya Dhupa (Evening Dhupa)

Performed from 7:00 to 8:00 PM after the Jaya Mangal Aarti, and the fourth Avakash.

• Pani Pakhala: 23 Oli

• Chipuda Pakhala: 14 Oli

• Sana Oli Pakhala: 2 Oli

• Kanara Puli: 3 Oli

• Hata Poda Amalu: 7

• Bada Amalu: 21

• Sana Amalu: 83

• Shakara: 5 Oli

• Matha Puli: 22

Bhoga (Offerings)

• Gopala Ballabha Bhoga (First Bhoga): (8:30 AM) The first dry offering of the day.

  • Ballabh Khai: 44 Oli

  • Pachila Kadali (Ripe Bananas): 7 pieces

  • Nadia Khudi: 3 Shara

  • Kora (Bada): 29 pieces

  • Kora (Chota): 220 pieces

• Bhoga Mandap Bhoga/ Bada Sankhudi Bhoga (Second Bhoga): (11:00 AM) Prepared for distribution to devotees.

  • Pakhala

  • Dahi

  • Kanji

  • Sada Anna

  • Kanika

  • Dali

  • Besara

  • Khata

• Bada Singhar Bhoga (Third Bhoga): (11:15 PM) The last offering before the deities retire for the night.

  • Khua

  • Lahuni

  • Nadia Pati

  • Khai

  • Dahi

  • Kadali

  • Suara Pitha: 1 Shara

  • Rosa Paika: 1 Shara

  • Mitha Pakhala: 11

  • Kanji: 3 Oli

  • Sarapuli Pitha: 5 Shara

  • Biri Buha Pitha: 1 Shara

  • Bada Kadali: 15

  • Khiri/Payasa: 6 Oli

Special Offerings During Festivals

The text also mentions special bhogas offered during festivals such as Anabasara (Dhua Muga and Pana), Janmashtami (Rashi Ladu, Rashi Kora), Makar Sankranti (Makara Chaula and Dhanu Mua), and the Chandan Yatra where Mandua Bhog is offered. During Pahili Bhog which is observed from Dhanu Sankranti to Makar Sankranti, various winter delicacies are offered as Yashoda offers to her son Krishna in Dwapara Yuga.

Avakasha (Intermissions)

Avakasha are breaks in the daily schedule, during which devotees cannot have darshan. The breaks take place:

• Prabhata Avakash: Early Morning after Mangal Aarti

• Dwitiya Avakash: After Sakala Dhupa

• Tritiya Avakasha: After Bada Bhog

• Chaturtha Avakasha: After Sandhya Aarti

• Panchama Avakasha: After Sanja Dhupa

Pahuda (Rest)

Pahuda are the times for the deity’s rest. During this time devotees cannot have darshan.

Sahana Mela (Free Public Viewing)

During Sahana Mela, the public is allowed to have a close darshan of the deities without any charges. This occurs twice daily after the morning avakash and after the evening aarti.

Parimanika Darshan (Paid Viewing)

The paid Parimanika Darshan is also made available for those who want a closer view, costing 50 rupees.

Paka (Methods of Cooking)

The naivedya (offerings) to Lord Jagannath are prepared using four different methods of cooking:

• Bhima Paka

• Nala Paka

• Sauri Paka

• Gauri Paka

Bringing Devotion Home

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