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Sital sasthi:- The 16th day of the bright fortnight of Jyestha. The image Dolagovinda and Pancha
Pandav Siva are taken to the temple of Lakshmi where a ceremony is
performed.
Rajendraviseka:- The 10th day of the bright fortnight of Jyestha. Lord Jagannath has his Avisek and
the proposal of his marriage with Rukmini is broached.
Rukmini Harana:- On the 11th day of the bright fortnight of Jyestha Madanmohan, the representative
deity of Jagannath, elopes Rukmini from the temple of Shri Bimala while
she is offering worship and then the marriage is performed.
Snana Jatra:- ( Jyestha Purnima the Birth-day of Shri Jagannath)
(i) The three deities
are brought in a colourful pahandi procession to the decorated
Snana Vedi , an elevated bathing platform in the Ananda Bazar ( on
the north- east corner of the outer enclose) for a ritual bath.
Sudasana and Madanmohan also join them. 108 pitchers full of scented
water are fetched from a sacred well ( Suna Kua, near the north gate ) are poured over the deities amidet chanting of mantras and
loud rejoicings . Soon after their bath Jagannath presents himself
before the audience in the form of Ganesh. Subhadra appears in Padma
– vesha. This particular vesha is called GAJA VESHA. Puri Raja or
his representative, Mudiratha conducts chherapanhara (ritual cleaning
on the Snanamandap).
Netrotsava : (
NAVA YAUVANA DARSHNA ) On
the concluding day of the anasara the deities decked in the
finest robes and ornament appear before the thousands of eager devotees
feast their eyes . The festival of reappearance of Jagannath to
his devotees after anasara is called Navayauvana or fresh youth . On the
next day the finishing touches are given to the eye of the deities, the
ceremony called Netrotsava .
Ratha Yatra : On the asadha
shukla dwitiya after preliminary rituals the three deities and
Sudarshna are ushered into their specially built massive decorated
chariot parked near Singhadwar in a ceremonial pahandi procession . Lakhs of devotees irrespective of cast , creed, and
nationality throng on the Grand Road to greet their Lord of lords . The
Thakur Raja of Puri ( the foremost servitor of Lord Jagannath ) conducts
the ceremonial Chhera panhara on the three chariots and after that the
chariots are pulled amidst loud cheers and playing of various musical
instruments .The chariots rumble through the Grand Road to reach the Gundicha Mandir
, situated at a distance 3 Kms. North –east of the Main
Temple.
On the way the deities are offered pankti ( wayside sacred
offering ) by heads of various matha .Usually the chariots take
two days to reach the Gundicha Temple . The deities are ushered into the
Gundicha Temple next day and enjoy a weeklong sojourn . The flags on the
chariot-spires are worshipped every day.
Hera Panchami : is observed
on the shukla panchami . The image of goddess Lakshmi is
ceremonially taken to Gundicha Temple where the chariots are anchored.
She appears anxious. She does not call on Jagannath, rather leaves the
front yard of the Gundicha Temple abruptly while causing a little damage
to Jagannath Nandighosha chariot . She comes back to her Temple via
Hera Gouri Sahi.
Dakshinamurtti:- On the 8th day, the chariots are placed facing
south-west for resumption of their return journey next
day.
Bahuda Jatra:- (Asadha
shukla dashmi) The return journey of the deities commences on the
ninth day. On their way back, they halt at MAUSI MA TEMPLE and receive
cake from their aunt. Then they move on. Chariots of Balabhadra and
Subhadra reach sinhadwar first and Nandighosha stays back in front of the
palace of Puri Raja. From the chahani mandap(viewing platform, near the
Snana Mandap), Goddess Lakshmi watches the safe return of the Lord
Jagannath. She breathes a sigh of relief, hurries out to that place,
circumambulates her dear Lord, receives a garland (ajnamala) from him
and is swung back to the Temple to feign her reluctance in granting
admittance to Lord Jagannath to the temple. Nandighosha finally reaches
the Sinhadwara and that marks the end of the journey by chariot.
Niladrivije (Return to Niladri):- On the 11th
day, the deities still occupying their chariots outside the Simhadwara
are richly decorated with various gold ornaments brought from the temple
Store. They appear in SUNA VESHA.
On the 12th day, Niladri Vijoya is celebrated. Balabhadra and
Subhadra in ceremonial gotipahandi are ushered into the Ratna Simhasana
where as Jagannath alone is left behind and becomes a target of mock
humiliation by devadasis at the bidding of Lakshmi. When this pleasant
repartee is over Jagannath and Lakshmi are reunited. The event is known
as LAKSMI- NARAYAN BHETA. The Lord Jagannath majestically repairs to his
Ratnasimhasana and joins his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra
Sayana Ekadashi:- On the 11th day of the bright fortnight of Asadha, the sayana
Utsava or sleeping Ceremony is performed. The adhivasa Nitis are
performed the previous day. At night the representative images
Shrinarayana, Vasudeva and Bhubaneswari representing Jagannath,
Balabhadra and subhadra respectively are brought to the well-decorated
sleeping chamber and placed on the cots. They are invoked with the
prayer's O Lord, do please sleep for four months for welfare of the
universe’. Then they are laid on their respective beds.
Garuda Sayana
Dwadashi:- The ceremony is
performed on the 12th day of the bright fortnight of Asadha.
Karkata
Sankranti or Dakhinayan Yatra:- As the sun begins to
move to the autumnal equinox a festival called Dakhinayan Yatra is
observed.
Chitalagi
Amabasya:- On the new moon day
in the month of Shrabana the gold and stone-set Chitas(ornaments for the
forhead) removed from the deities during Snana Yatra are again put on
them.
Jhulana Yatra:- It is celebrated in the temple of Jagannath usually from the
Shrabana Sukla Dasami upto Pratipada. Madanmohan, the proxy of
Jagannath; Saraswati, and Lakshmi are placed on decorated swings in
Jhulan Mandap and crowds of pilgrims congregate in the temple to see the
festival. Different mathas of Puri also celebrated this festival with
great pomp and grandeur.
Gamhapurnami or
Balabhadra Janma:- On the full moon day
in the month of Shrabana Nitis are performed to celebrate the birthday
of Balabhadra . The deities wear gold and silken Rakhis.
Rahurekha Lagi:- Rahurekha (an
ornament for the forehead) are worn by the deities on the 5th
lunar day of the dark fortnight of Bhadrav.
Krishna Janma:- It is celebrated in
the temple on the 8th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadraba.
On this day ceremonies regarding the birth of Lord Krishna are
performed. On the next day Nandotsaba is observed and Nitis are
performed indicating the celebrations made by Nanda for the birth of his
son.
Krishna
Lila:- Subsequent to
Nandotsaba, various Nitis relating to Krishna Lila like Banabhoji Besha,
Koli Bika, Kaliya Dalana, Pralambasura Badha are performed.
Satpuri
Amabasya:- The new moon day of Bhadrab. On this day huge quantities of sweets known as Satpuri Tada are
offered to the deities.
Ganesh
Chaturthi:- The 4th
day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadrab. Panji Puja is done
in Saraswati temple and various Pujas are performed in the temple of
Ganesh.
Rekha Panchami
or Risi Panchami:- The 5th
day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadraba.
Radhastami:- The 8th
day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadrab. On this day nitis
are performed by taking out Shri Sudarsan to the four Ashramas.
Bamana Janma:- Various Nitis
are performed relating to the birth of Baman on the 12th day
of the bright fortnight of Bhadrab.
Ananta
Chaturdashi:- On the 14th
day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadrab the ceremony is
performed in Shri Ananta Basudev temple.
Dwitiya Osha:- It is performed by goddess Lakshmi in her temple.
Kumar Purnima:- On this day
the Sevakas representing Shri Jagannath and Shri Lakshmi play dice.
Dasahara:- Ayudha puja and Vijaya dashami celebrations are performed
Prathamastami:- The 8th
day of the dark fortnight in the month of Margasira when Bandapana is
done.
Navanna or
Partaking of new rice:- Various extra Bhogas
are offered on this occasion. There is no fixed day for this festival
but it is fixed by the temple astrologer according to the stars of Shri
Jagannath.
Uttarayana
Yatra:- It is performed on
the Makar Sankranti day when the sun moved towards vernal equinox.
Basanta
Panchami:- Panji puja is done
in the saraswati temple, and there is some modification in Ghodalagi
i.e., in the winter garments worn by the deities.
Magha Purnima:- Gajauddharana
Besha takes place on this day.
Siva Ratri:- Hari Hara
Veta takes place at Shri Lokanath temple.
Dola Yatra:- It is
performed from the 10th day of the bright fortnight of
Falguna up to the full-moon day. The representative deities of Lord
Jagannath are taken to the Dola Vedi and various Nitis are performed.
This is also known as Vasantotsab. Fagu or red powder is sprinkled on
the deities.
Ashokastami:- It is
celebrated on the 8th day of the bright fortnight on Chaitra.
Shri Bhandar Lokanath is taken in a procession to Isaneswar Mahadev
where certain ceremonies are performed. The deity returns to the temple
after attending to some Nitis at Jagannathballava.
Rama Navami:- The festival begins with the celebration of the birth of Shri Rama on
the 9th day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra and
continues for some days. Rama Lila is performed in which different sahis
or localities in the town participate.
Pana Sankranti
or Mahabishuba sankranti:- Special Nitis are
performed in the temple on this day. The day marks the beginning of the
Oriya New Year. |
