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Gopal Ballabha consisting of sweetmeats,
fruits, curd, butter, green coconut, etc., are offered to the deities by
way of early breakfast. The next important niti is Sakal Dhupa or Raja
Bhoga served at 10 A.M. in which various preparations of black gram like
Bada Kanti, Sana Kanti, Enduri; other preparations like Matha-Puli,
Hansakeli, Kakatua, Jhili, Ada Panchedi, Sag, Khechedi, Pitha-puli,
Bundia Khiri are offered. Betel-nut is offered to the deities at each
meal time. Next followed the change of dress and then the Bhogamandapa
Bhoga. The food offerings made at the bhogamandapa or refectory is not a
part of the compulsory routine of nitis followed in the temple.
It is traditionally done in order to facilitate the
pilgrims, the various mathas and other
institutions, private individuals as well as the Suaras (temple cooks)
who sell Mahaprasad, to offer bhoga in large quantities, as in sakal
dhupa offerings from the Temple Fund only are allowed, besides the
offerings of a few other persons who have got rights for it. Madhyana
dhupa or mid-day meal is offered at 1 p.m. in which rice, pulses,
vegetables and a variety of other items of food are offered. It is on
record that as many as 435 items of food were being offered to the
deities at this dhupa in 1910. After their mid-day meal the gods change
their dress and enjoy a siesta, the cots being taken from the store room
and placed in front of them. Betel-nut, green coconut and perfumed water
are kept by the side of the cots and Arati is performed. The doors are
then sealed. In the evening the doors are again opened by an elaborate
procedure as in the morning. The Sandhay Arati is performed at 6 p.m.
The next niti is
Sandhya Dhupa in which rice is not offered, but sweets and other
preparations of various kinds like Kanla-puli, Takua, Matha-puli,
Bhoga-pitha, Gotali, Kakara, Khuruma, Amalu, Jhadaineda, Kadamba and
Subas-pakhal from the speciality of the dhupa. Elaborate rituals
including special Aratis are performed after which the inner sanctuary
is thrown open for the public. Next follows the change of dress of the
deities, and chandanalagi i.e., sandal paste is applied to the person
of the holy ones. The gods are again dressed with new clothes, flower
crests, garlands, Tulsi (holy basil), etc., at about 10.30 p.m. which is
known as badasinghar besha. Badasinghar bhoga is offered at about 11.30
p.m. The last nitis are bina-lagi, gana, khatasejalaagi, puspanjali,
pahuda, muda and sodha. The couches are put in front of the
Ratnavedi.Three green coconuts are placed close by with some betel-nut
and flowers. The Vinakar sevaka plays on Vina to lull the deities to
sleep. Gita Govinda of the famous Oriya poet Jayadev is recited. Thus
the gods are left to their slumber. The doors are then sealed by Talicha
Mahapatra with his golden seal. All persons excepting those required to
watch the temple are cleaned out of the Temple precincts. This, in
short, is the daily round of nitis of the Lord.
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