Shri Jagannath’s Paita Lagi Niti (Sacred Thread Ritual) 🙏

Brahman (the Absolute Reality) is the sole truth, and Mahaprabhu Jagannath is the embodiment of Brahman. The Paita or Upavita (sacred thread) is the identity marker of a Brahmin. This thread (sutra or suta), after being imbued with and consecrated (abhimantrita) with the essence of Brahmanhood, is wornby Brahmin men. It extends from the left shoulder across to the right side of the waist.

However, Jagannath Mahaprabhu is the Apaurusheya Brahman (impersonal, not created by man), who is both formless (videha) and yet embodied (dehavanta). Amidst many ‘nots’, He is the all-pervading singular ‘yes’. The holy idols (Shri Bigrahas) are made of Daru or Kastha (sacred wood). The responsibility for protecting their sacred bodies (Shri Anga) lies with the Daitapati servitors. Therefore, these Daitapatis perform the Paita Lagi Niti to keep the Mahaprabhu’s Shri Anga strong and to protect it from seasonal influences. This Paita Lagi seva (service) is a group service (Goshti Gata Seba) of the Daitapati servitors. They perform it with great devotion (nishtha). The Paita is applied to Mahaprabhu primarily to protect the daily application of Chandan (sandalwood paste) on the deities.

For this, the Srimandir Administration provides three colours of Basunga Pata (raw silk) to the Patara servitors for preparing the Paita. The Patara servitors take this Basunga Pata and sit in the Jagamohana (audience hall) of the Shri Lakshmi temple to prepare/twist (boḷithānti) the silk Paita. After preparing the Paita, the Patara servitors hand it over to the Deula Karana (temple record keeper/scribe) on the same day.

After the second Bhoga Mandapa (offering hall ritual) concludes, and after Maa Lakshmi and Maa Bhudevi retire to the Khata Seja Ghara (sleeping chamber), the Daitapati servitors enter the Garbha Gruha (sanctum sanctorum) for the Paita Lagi. As Odhana Shashthi (a ritual involving winter clothing for the deities) is approaching, this ritual is performed for the protection of Mahaprabhu’s Shri Anga. Since this is a secret ritual (Gupta Niti), the Jaya-Vijaya Dwara (main doors to the sanctum) of the Srimandir remain closed. The Daitapati servitors receive the three coloured silk Paitas from the Deula Karana and, in the presence of the Pati Mahapatra (a senior priest), apply the Paita to the deities (Shri Jiu-māna).

Shri Jagannath Mahaprabhu is adorned with a yellow silk Paita. Bada Thakura Shri Balabhadra is adorned with a green one, and Maa Subhadra is adorned with a red coloured silk Paita. The Basunga Pata is twisted (baḷi) to prepare a thread (suta) about the thickness of the little finger (kāṇi ānguṭhi moṭāra). This is placed covering the area below the face and above the stomach (peṭa uparaku) of the Shri Bigrahas. It is tightened (bhiḍājāe) in a manner that binds the Shri Anga and Shri Bhuja (sacred arms), resembling a criss-cross pattern (chhaki pakāilā pari). This is what is referred to as Paita Lagi in the traditional language of the Srimandir. This Paita section holds the Chandan applied to the Shri Anga. This Paita Lagi task takes the Daitapati servitors approximately three to four hours to complete.

After this, the Singhasana (throne) is washed by the Mekapa servitors. Once the Paita Lagi Niti is concluded (baḍhilā pare – meaning after it’s finished), the deities undergo Mahasnana (the great bath). Then Bhudevi and Sridevi (the metallic representative idols) are brought and placed near the main deities (Shri Anga Lagi). Following this, Mahaprabhu’s Mailam (removal of flowers/clothes from previous rituals) and Besha (dressing/decoration) take place. The Lord’s Sandhya Alati (evening lamp ritual), Sandhya Dhupa (evening incense offering) are performed, the Sandhya Dhupa Prasad (food offering) is distributed, and after the ritual water sprinkling (pāṇi paḍibāpare), Mahaprabhu’s Chandan Lagi (sandalwood paste application), Bada Singhara Besha (late-night decoration), and Bada Singhara Bhoga (late-night food offering) occur, followed by the Ratra Pahuda (nightly retirement ritual).

Immerse yourself in the divine traditions of Jagannath! Explore the profound Paita Lagi ritual, a testament to the Lord’s sacred embodiment and the devoted service of the Daitapatis. Discover more about such unique aspects of Jagannath culture on justkalinga.com – your gateway to the essence of Shri Jagannath.