Odisha Review June - 2014

Daily Rituals of Baladevjew Temple of : An Overview

Balaram Lenka

hroughout the history of human culture, Baladevjew temple are made in consonance Tcertain days and periods of time have with the rituals performed in the been observed for ritual celebration. There are temple at Puri. Different modus operandi of many rituals observed in the Baladevjew temple human life have emerged within his cult to give from morning to night. The daily rituals in the it a unique status. In such context, the daily temple of Baladevjew rituals of Baladevjew are generally observed Temple are discussed almost on the same chronologically. way as practised in the Dwarafita temple of Lord Jagannath at Puri. The The first ritual deities are being of the day in the worshipped here in Baladevjew temple is ‘Sodasa Upachara’ ceremonial opening of with Rudra, Durga the doors. The and mantras scheduled time for and strotas. The opening of the doors information regarding is 5 A.M. On specific the daily rituals of Shri occasions and for Baladevjew Temple has been gathered from the Pakudi Bhoga from Dhanu Sankranti to Servitors of the Baladevjew. Makara Sankranti, the Dwarafita (opening of the door) time is from 2 A.M. to 3 A.M. For The deities of the temple are humanized the worship of the Triad, 6 Sevayatas are Gods. Like human beings, their daily activities engaged. They are three Palia Pandas, one start from the morning and continue till night. Suara, one Barsheiti and one Mekapa. The They get up in the morning with invocation to responsibility of opening doors is fixed on them through ‘Mangala Arati’, brush their Mekapa. He is to open the doors with clapping teeth, bathe, take meal, wash their face, take hands early in the morning. After opening of rest at noon, receive ‘Sandhya Arati’ and after the doors, the inner part of the temple is purified night offering they sleep. These rituals of by sacred water[1] by Barsheiti.

78 June - 2014 Review

Jaya Mangala Arati are poured on the reflection of the deities on bronze mirrors placed in front of them and it is The most important ritual in the early considered as if they take their bath. It is morning is Jaya Mangala Arati. Initially Arati actually a Mantra Snana. Then the Astrologer in camphor is made on specially designed brass (Khuri Nayak) explains about the Tithi and [2] and broze stands. It is called Karpur Alati. other astrological details of the day. On the A lamp with 7 wicks is lit for each deity specific occasion of birthday of any deity, thereafter. It is called Gota Alati. The Nakshatra Bandapana is also undertaken. Sevayatas are involved for Arati work are three Pallia Pandas,one Suara, one The bathing of Garuda in the Nata Barsheiti. The ashes are distributed among the Mandap follows that of the principal deities. devotees after Arati. Garuda Sevak brings Chunera water and undertakes the bath of Sri Garuda. The bath Ulagi and Tadaplagi water of the deities and that of Garuda is After Jaya Mangala Arati, the next considered as Prasad and invariably useful for ritual is Ulagi or removal of the dresses and the patients. During the Abakash rites; public floral decorations of the deities of last night. are not allowed to enter into the sanctum, but The scheduled time for Ulagi is about 6.30 they can have a glimpse of the deities, standing A.M. The three palia pandas go up to the just in front of the Bhitara Katha Argali. After Ratna Simhasana (throne) to remove the Abakasha the deities are dressed with Pata decorations, dresses and flowers of the deities vastra and mauli. Then Akhand Mekap places and dress them with white dresses called two perpetual lamps (Akhanda Baitha) near the Tadapa (Napkin) and Uttariya (drapery). The Simhasan, which remains burning for whole day dressed removed are washed daily by a and night. Sevayata called Mekapa. He is not washerman Ballava Manohi by caste. Ulagi flowers and Tulasi are distributed among the devotees as Prasad.[3] The next ritual is Ballava Manohi. This is the breakfast of the deities and the scheduled Abakasha time is 9 AM. The items offered are Ukhuda (popcorn), Kora (coconut-sugar-plum), Muga Abakasha[4] is the morning ablution of the deities just like human beings, this includes (Mung), Navata (stem prepared from sugar- cleaning of the teeth, scrapping of the tongue curd), Dahi (Curd), Dalimba (made of flour [7] of the deities and thereafter giving them a and molasses) and Bidiapana (betel). pleasant bath symbolically. The scheduled time Khechudi Dhupa for Abakasha is 6.30 AM to 7.30 AM. Abakasha puja is done by three Pandas below The Khechudi Dhupa is scheduled to the Simhasana. Soft twig and tongue-cleaner be held from 11 AM to 12 Noon. The items are shown to deities with appropriate Mudras offered are Khechudi, Kshiri, Kantipitha, as if they do brush. Thereafter, along with Ganja, Sakara, Bhaja, Marichapani. These chanting of Vedic Suktas water mixed with items are prepared by Suaras.[8] The another camphor, Aamla, sandalpaste; milk and curd Servitor named Mekapa supplies fine rice,

79 Odisha Review June - 2014

Mung dal, vegetables ghee etc. to the Suaras. is meant for betterment of the universe. Three Such variety of Prasadas are distributed among Pandas one Suara, one Basheiti are engaged the Sevayatas. After this Dhupa, the dresses in this work.[11] of the deities are again changed. Nisankhudi Dhupa Dwiprahara Dhupa This Dhupa is done between 8 P.M. This is the mid-day meal of the deities. and 9 P.M. In this Dhupa items offered to the The time scheduled for Dwiprahara Dhupa is deities are Anna, Dali, Bhaja, Marichapani, from 3 PM to 3.30 PM. The materials used Kshiri, Kakara, etc. After this, Ulagi and for this Dwiprahara Dhupa are provided by Chatusama[12] are performed. The change of Endowment Department of the Baladevjew dresses of the deities is made. They are temple. The items offered to the deities are smeared with sandal paste made of musk, Anna (Rice), Dali (Dal), Marichapani (curry) camphor, Aguru. This ritual is also called etc. After offering, this becomes Chatusama. Mahaprasada, People are interested for this Badasimhara Vesha and Badasimhara Bhoga. In the offering Tulasi leaf is used.[9] Dhupa Madhyahna Pahuda Amongst all the daily rituals, the most After the Dwiprahara Dhupa, comes attractive is Badasimhara Vesha. The time Madhyahna Pahuda. This is the time for rest scheduled for this Vesha is 10 PM. During this of the deities. They take rest till 6 P.M. The period, Chaturddhamurti look in doors of the temple are closed till that period. Badasimhara Vesha is a colourful floral After opening of doors in the evening, the decoration with special items like removal of the dresses of the deities is made. Karapallava,[13] Kundala, Chandrika and The deities are dressed with new Pata Vastra other attractive flowers. The deities are clad with Uttariyas Maulis (Draperies). Then they with Berhampur Patas, traditional Odishan tie take light food i.e. Rasabali, Puri and and Mauli. ’s Gita Govind and other Dalimba.[10] devotional songs make the atmosphere spiritual. The beautiful and smiling faces of the Sandhya Arati deities attract the devotees in large number. In this Dhupa, Ghanavarta[14] is offered to the One of the important rituals of Sri deities. The other items offered are Baladevjew temple is Sandhya Arati. The time Dahipakhala, Navata and Bhaja. scheduled for Sandhya Arati is 6.30 PM to 7.30 P.M. Many devotees gather to have Badasimhara Dhupa is the last Bhoga darshana of the deities. Kirtana is also one of the deities of the day. The Arati is performed of the items of nine devotions. It is done for a with Puspanjali.[15] Then the deities go to bed longer period. Amidst Kirtana, Sandhya Arati for rest at about 11 P.M. The deities are placed work is performed. The three Aratis offered on the Ratna Palankas. These are daily rituals during this period are Karpur Arati, Gota of the deities. But, during festivals, this order Arati and Pistaka Arati. This Sandhya Arati changes with little difference. Thereafter the

80 June - 2014 Odisha Review temple is totally vacated. All the doors are (Kitchen) when these items are prepared. closed and sealed. This work is done by the (Interview with Hagura Suara on 08.03.2011). Mekapa, the key keeper of the temple. 9. Balaram Suara, a servitor informs that the Mahaprasada is sold after the Dwiprahara Sri Baladevjew is a highly humanized Dhupa. Now-a-days, many people are preferring deity. The gap between man and God has been to take this Mahaprasad rather than going to bridged in Baladev cult. The daily rituals of the Hotel. temple of Baladevjew are followed in the light 10. Ibid. of the Jagannath Temple of Puri. However, 11. Keshava Patri, one of the servitors of local variations add lustre to the daily rituals of Baladevjew Temple explains that the term ‘Arati’ Sri Baladevjew. means greetings to God with devotion. Through Arati, the grace of the God is obtained. Further, References : he informs that the Arati is performd to purify the atmosphere. (Interview with Keshava Patra 1. Information gathered from Kamapal Patri, the on 15.03.2011) Sevayata of Baladevjew Temple. 12. Keshava Patri informs that Chatusama consists 2. For this Karpoor Arati a good number of people of sandal, musk, camphor, aguru (scented oil) is of the locality gathered every morning and take applied on the body of the deities. away the ashes distributed to them by the Pallia 13. Keshava Patri further informs that Karapallava Pandas. The ashes are considered as most is made of Sola (a watery plant). It is offered on sacred. (Interview with Nrusingha Charan Patri the hands of the deities. dt.22.08.2011) 14. Ibid. He further explains that ‘Ghanavarta’ is 3. Interview with Kamapal Patri on dt.03.04.2010. Rabidi (dense milk after boiling it for a longer 4. Ibid. period). He informs that this item was introduced for the first time by the Marathas in 5. Ibid. the Baladevjew temple. 6. Ibid. 15. Ibid. Sri Patri further informs that Puspanjali is 7. Kamapal Patri informs that these items are to be performed at the end of the Badasinghara prepared with utmost care by the Gudia- Dhupa. It is done to please the deities because Brahmins (confectionary prepared by a special mistakes, if any, during the period of offering, class of Brahmins.) may be excused by the God. 8. The Sauras prepare (Khechudi Bhoga. At present Gouranga Suara (Hagura Suara), the son of Bana Suara is preparing the items for Khechudi Dhupa along with other Suaras. As per his information, the face is to be covered with cloth when such items are prepared. No Balaram Lenka, Lecturer in History, Chitrotpala public is allowed to enter into the Rosasala College, Akhuaodanga, Kendrapara.

81