The Ritual System
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Odisha Review July - 2013 The Ritual System Sarat Chandra Mohapatra Every Hindu temple has a ritual system prescribed routine rituals periodical on special occasions according to scriptures like pancharatra agama, according to almanac or panji and festivals. Daily vaikhanasa agama, sarada tilaka and other Nitis are fixed and observed everyday as of appropriate scriptures. Jagannath temple is a routine course. Special or periodical Nitis are peculiar Hindu shrine where Vaisnavite, Saivite according to speciality and occurrence on certain and Sakta elements have been embodied in a ritual days, month, stars (Nakshatra), eclipse or in system. Some scholars are of opinion that Lord other mishaps in the temple. Number of festival Jagannath is worshipped in three dhupas (food Nitis is observed during the year both outside like offerings) and five avakasas (change of dress and Gundicha and Chandan Jatra and inside the decoration etc.). It is called astakala temple. Madala Panji, the daily temple chronicle pujapaddhati propounded by Vallabhacharya on is the main source of such Nitis. There are some Vaisnavite ritual of Lord Srikrishna as a cowherd secret Nitis of Nabakalebara and Anavasara, boy rising from the bed in the morning, getting which have been prohibited by scriptures for fed and decorated, going with the cattle along with publicity and publication. the friends, amorous play with Radha and Gopies, dance and music, etc. are the daily rituals of Daily Nitis (Rituals) Srikrishna. Such system has been reflected in the Excepting in the month of Kartika ritual order of Jagannath temple partially. But (October-November) and Pausa (December- interestingly Saiva and Sakta elements have been January) when Bala Bhoga and Pahili Bhoga so inextricably blended with the ritual system (early morning food offering) are held, the doors which can be said to be unique of its kind. It is a of the temple are open at 5 a.m. called as third system (Trutiya Pantha) strictly not Dwaraphitha, for which besides the main servitor Dakhinachara of Vaisnavas or Bamachara of Bhitarchu Mahapatra, seven other categories of Saktas. sevaks are required. After cleaning the inner The ritual system or Niti of Lord Jagannath sanctuary called Bhitarasodha, Mangala Alati is very elaborate, spreading over 118 categories is held in three phases i.e. Camphor (Karpura of sevayats or servitors throughout the year to Alati), by Ghee Wigs (Balita Alati) and by perform their specified Seva according to turn Pasted Rice (Pithau Alati). Then the deities are (Bedha patra). The Niti or the ritual system is so dressed with Tadapa (a kind of thin cloth) and much interlinked with each other that unless a Uttariya (an upper garment; like a napkin). At 6.30 particular service is performed, the next service a.m. abakasa niti is held. In this ritual the deities cannot take place. The entire ritual system is are symbolically offered stick for washing of the divided into three categories. They are daily teeth through a brass mirror and take bath with 28 July - 2013 Odisha Review curd etc. over the mirrors placed in front of the Madhyanha Dhupa or principal mid day deities. After abakasa the deities are adorned Bhoga is offered at 1 p.m. in which different types with silken cloths, flowers and ornaments, after of rice, pulses, vegetables and variety of cakes which Sahana Mela or Sarva Sadharana are offered. District Gazetteer (Pp.809) records Darshan (free entry of pilgrims to the inner that 435 food items were offered in this dhupa in sanctuary) takes place. It provides an opportunity 1910. It consists of rice of various kinds, pulses to devotees and pilgrims to go near the Ratna and vegetables with varieties of cakes and sweets. Singhasana to have a closer view of the deities Then the deities retire for a mid-day siesta (diba and circumbulation (pradakhina) of the pahuda) after being offered green coconut, Ratnasinghasana. If during this time any person perfumed water and beetle nut. They get up at 6 touches the holy bodies, spits, passes stool or p.m. when Sandhya Alati or evening offering of urine or vomits, then the deities are given a sacred lamp in camphor, ghee wigs and pasted purificatory bath called Mahasnana. There is rice is done. The devotees and pilgrims eagerly provision for penalty on the person for doing so. stand awaiting to see this ritual. Usually children of tender age are not allowed to go inside. From 8 a.m. to 8.30 a.m. the deities At 8 p.m. Sandhya Dhupa or night food are dressed in different coloured dresses offering is served which consists of ghee rice prescribed for different seasons and occasions. (gheeanna) and fragrant sweetened soaked rice (subasa pakhala), sweets, cakes of black gram, Simultaneously in the meantime roso etc. Then at 9.15 p.m. the Gods appear for public homo or putting sacred fire in the kitchen, Surya Darshan. The Gods then change dresses after Puja (Worship of the Sun God) and Dwarapala being smeared with fragrant sandal paste mixed Puja (worship of the door guarding deities – Jaya and Vijaya) are held. Then the breakfast is offered with Karpura (camphor), Keshar and Kasturi to the Lords called Gopal Ballava Bhoga. It in silver pots called Chandan Lagi. At 10.30 p.m. the deities again change their dresses and consists of sweets, fruits, curd, butter, green wear Baralagi Pata (the silken cloth with coconut, sweetened coconut balls (laddu), prescribed colour of the day). The Lords are then plantains, Khua Manda (cream ball) and Ballava decorated with flower decoratives called Khai (twice fried rice mixed with ghee and sugar) Chandrika on head, Nakachana on nose, etc. Karapallava on hands and padaka on the chest The next cooked food offering to the along with lots of other flower garlands. Some Lords is known as Sakala Dhupa or Raja selected stanzas of Gita Govinda, composed by Bhoga. Besides the rice of different varieties, the Odia poet Jayadev are woven on the body of the cakes of black gram (biri) and other prescribed saree called Gita Govinda khandua, which the items are served in limited quantities and number. Lords put on during this ritual. After that Bada Then the deities change their dresses, decorated Singhara Dhupa or last food offering takes and take the next food offering called Bhoga place. A particular cake prepared by green banana Mandapa in the refractory hall behind Garuda called Kadali Bada, pitha of black gram, khiri stambha. This Bhoga or food offering has been (milk made sweetened item), kanji (a curd introduced to cater Mahaprasad to the pilgrims, preparation), soaked rice, etc are offered in this various Matha and other institutions, private Dhupa. The last rite is at 12 p.m. when the musical individuals in huge quantities. This is mainly meant instruments like veena and drum are played with for sale. Gita Govinda music, dance by Mahari or 29 Odisha Review July - 2013 Debadasi, puspanjali (offering of flower) is held. are performed by Sri Madan Mohan going to Sri The golden cots are brought inside and the Loknath Temple. Sayana Thakura or the sleeping deities (Ardhanariswara – a composite figure of Lord Amabasya niti (last day of dark fortnight) Vishnu and Laxmi) are brought to Jaya-Vijya is very interesting and reflects a typical Hindu Dwara (entrance door to the inner sanctuary) social custom of son-in-law visiting the house of where green coconut, fragrant water (ghasa jala) the father-in-law. The sacred sea or Mahodadhi and beetlenut are offered and the deities retire to is believed to be the house of the father in law of sleep. The doors are closed and sealed by Talichu Lord Jagannath. Narayana, the representative of Mahapatra, a specific servitor with this Lord Jagannath goes on this day to the seashore responsibility. All people inside the temple near Swargadwara where some prescribed premises are made to go out except the security rituals of offering of bhoga and bandapana are people. This is in brief the daily routine rituals of done by Sabat Nijoga, a particular class or the Gods. Now of course the Diba Pahuda or servitors earmarked for performing this ritual. the mid day siesta is periodically done particularly during the months of Kartika and pausa when Banaka Lagi or Srimukha sringara the deities rise very early in the morning. or painting of the deities is performed by a particular class of servitor called Datta Mahapatra. Once in a week either on Wednesday or Periodical Nitis (Rituals) Thursday the deities are painted in white, yellow On Thursday or Gurubar, the festive and black by indigenous colours. The sanctum- deities of Lord Jagannath, Madanmohan goes to sanctorum remains closed and no other person is the temple of Goddess Mahalaxmi for ekanta or allowed to go inside. This ritual takes more than exclusive meeting rituals. 2 hours and done through 5 to 6 servitors of Data Mahapatra group. According to constellation of stars (suanakashera), specific rituals are performed. Benta or sikara (hunting) – it is one of According to astrological calculations following the interesting ritual done on Basant Panchami are the birth stars of the deities. day and in three other days in a year signifying the royal status of the Lord. He being worshipped Sri Balabhadra – Shrabana Makara. as a Supreme Sovereign King, some rituals are in Sri Jagannath – Rohini Brusha. tune with the royal status. Benta or going for Goddess Subhadra – Jyestha Bichha. hunting is one among them. Here the On each Ekadasi or the 11th day of the representative of the Lord Sri Dola Govinda goes month, after sandhya dhupa lamps are taken to to Jagannath Ballava Math, the pleasure garden the top of the temple and circumbulated around of Lord Jagannath.