The Rituals of Kumar Purnima in the Shri Mandir

During the Sandhya Dhupa (evening food offering), two Agyamalas (garlands of consent) are offered to Mahaprabhu (Lord Jagannath). After the offering is complete and the ritual cleansing with water (Pani Padiba) is done, Shri Madanmohan is brought from the Dakhina Ghara (the southern chamber) to the Ratnasimhasana (the bejeweled throne). The Pujapanda (a category of priest) then gives the Agyamalas from Mahaprabhu’s divine form to Shri Madanmohan and Sridevi. Following this, the Mahajana servitors carry the deities and place them in a palanquin waiting near the ‘Sata Pahacha’ (seven steps).

The Bimanabadu servitors then carry the deities for the ‘Bahara Kuanra’ ritual and seat them on a ceremonial cot (Khata) in the Jagamohana (assembly hall) of the Mahalakshmi temple. Here, a game of dice (Pasha Shakata) is played between the representative of Mahaprabhu, the Mudirasta servitor, and the representative of Mahalakshmi, the Bhitarachha servitor. Afterwards, a ritual cleansing (Pani Padi) is performed, and an offering of fruits and cool food items (Shitala Manohi) is made. The deities then begin their return journey (Bahuda Bije). Sridevi returns to the Ratnasimhasana, and Shri Madanmohan returns to the Dakhina Ghara.

Following this, the Chandana Lagi (application of sandalwood paste) ritual is completed, and the deities are adorned in the Badasimhara Besha (the final night attire). In this attire, the deities are dressed in new ‘Patani’ (a type of silk) clothes and adorned with six specific types of ornaments. Another Agyamala is also offered. After the Badasimhara Dhupa (the night food offering) is completed and the inner sanctum is ritually cleansed, the Mahasuara (temple cooks) arrange the food offerings in rows (Panti). Later, the Panda, Pati, and Mudirasta servitors play a game of dice, also known as Jua, Shakata, Pasha, and Kaurī (cowrie shells), below the Ratnasimhasana. The game is also played symbolically on the throne itself. In this game, Mahaprabhu loses to Mahalakshmi. As a result, Shri Madhava (representing Mahaprabhu) is held captive in Mahalakshmi’s temple for seven days.

“As the seven rounds of the dice game concluded, the Lord was left bewildered.
Smilingly, Kamalini (Goddess Lakshmi) said, ‘You shall now remain my captive’.”

On the eighth day, during the Abakasha Niti (morning rituals), Madhava is released from his confinement and returns to the Ratnasimhasana. During this seven-day period, the Ekanta Niti (a solitary ritual between the deities) is not performed on Thursday.

Lord Jagannath loses to Lakshmi in a divine dice game.