Orissa Review June-July - 2007 Festivals in Shri Jagannath Temple Sarmistha Barik It is said that there are twelve important yatras Chandana. During this period, the representative (festivals) of Jagannath Mahaprabhu celebrated images of Rama, Krushna, Madanamohana, in the Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri. But actually Lakshmi and Biswadhatri and images of Lord there are many more yatras observed in the Shri Siva from the five Siva temples known as Panchu Jagannath Temple, Puri throughout the year. Pandaba are taken in a procession to the Some important festivals celebrated in the Temple Narendra puskarini / Pokhari on their respective are described below in brief: Bimanas (chariots carried on human shoulders). In the Narendra puskarini, the images play in two Maha Bishuba Sankranti: The Sankranti of the beautifully decorated month of Mesa i.e. and illuminated Baisakha (April-May) Chapas (boat-houses) is called Maha and worshipped. They Bishuba Sankranti or are generally taken Pana Sankranti. The around the Pokhari in birthday of Lord these Chapas. Then Hanumana is observed they are carried to a on this day in the house known as Temple. It is worth Chandana Ghara mentioning that Oriya inside the tank, where calendar starts from they are bathed for this day. some time in scented Akshya Trutiya & Chandana Yatra: The water. Thereafter, they are dressed and decorated Chandana Yatra starts from Akshya Trutiya i.e. and bhoga or food offerings are made. Finally, the third day of the bright fortnight of Baisakha second round of cruise takes place with the said (April-May). According to the tradition, from this Chapas and then the images return to the main day onwards, construction of the Rathas (chariots) Temple. The last day of the first phase of the of the deities for the Ratha yatra starts. Chandana Chandana yatra is called Bhaunri. Thousands of yatra is celebrated for 42 days, divided into two people enjoy this festival with great delight. The phases/periods of 21 days each. The first phase second phase of 21 days known as Bhitara is known as Bahara Chandana or outer Chandana is celebrated inside the main Temple. 18 Orissa Review June-July - 2007 Niladri Mahodaya: It is celebrated on the eighth Pahandi and placed on the Snanabedi situated in day of the bright fortnight of Baisakha (April- the northeast corner of the Bahara Bedha (outer May). It is stated that on that day Lord Jagannath enclosure). This is the first occasion in the year was first worshipped in this Kshetra. On this when the large and heavy wooden images of the occasion, 108 pots of consecrated water are deities are brought out of the Garbhagruha to the offered to the deities. Thus, a special abhisek Snanabedi. There, the deities are bathed with 108 (bath) is performed for the deities. pitchers of water from a well called Suna kuan (Golden well) near the uttara dwara (north gate). Nrusingha Janma: Birthday of Lord Nrusingha Water from this sacred well is used only once in is observed on Baisakha Sukla Chaturdasi i.e. a year during the Snana Yatra of the deities. The the 14th day of the bright fortnight of Baisakha usual daily rituals continue thereafter in the (April-May). The image of Lord Nrusingha is Snanabedi. After the Snana Yatra, the deities are taken to the Jagannath Ballabha Matha, where dressed like Lord Ganesha (the elephant god) special nitis are performed. who bears the head of an elephant. That is why Sitala Sashthi: Marriage of Lord Siva and this besha is also known as Hati Besha. Goddess Parbati is observed on Jyestha Sukla At night, the deities return to the Temple in Sasthi i.e. the sixth day of bright fortnight of a procession and the deities, except Jyeshtha (May-June). On this occasion, Goddess Madanamohana, are placed in a place called Lakshmi welcomes the newly married couple in Anasara pindi. They remain there unseen, her temple. secluded and unexposed to public view for a Rajendrabhiseka: It is celebrated on Jyeshtha period of 15 days. During this period of seclusion, Sukla Dasami i.e. the 10th day of the bright the sevakas of a particular group known as fortnight of Jyeshtha (May-June). Daitapati perform certain Gupta (secret) nitis (rituals) of the deities. These rituals are called Rukmini Harana Ekadasi: Marriage of Lord anasara nitis. On Pratipada tithi i.e. the day before Krushna and Goddess Rukmini is celebrated on the Ratha yatra, the deities give darsan to Jyeshtha Sukla Ekadasi i.e. the 11th day of bright thousands of eager devotees. This darsan is known fortnight of Jyeshtha (May-June). On this as Nabajaubana darsan. A special niti (rite) called occasion, the marriage is held between Lord Netrotchhaba takes place on this occasion. On Madana Mohana as Lord Krushna and Goddess this day onwards, the Ratha yatra period actually Lakshmi as Goddess Rukmini. starts till the deities return back to the main temple Champaka Dwadasi: It is celebrated on after spending some days in the Sri Gundicha Jyeshtha Sukla Dwadasi i.e. the 12th day or on temple. the next day of Rukmini Harana Ekadasi. Ratha Yatra (Car festival): This festival is held Debasnana Yatra: It is the bathing ceremony on Asadha Sukla Dwitiya i.e. the second day of of the deities, celebrated on Jyeshtha Purnami i.e. bright fortnight of Asadha (June-July) every year. on the full moon day in the month of Jyeshtha This festival is also known as Sri Gundicha yatra (May-June). The three deities alongwith and Ghosha yatra. As per the prevailing tradition, Sudarsana and Madanamohana are brought out Gundicha was the Rani (queen) of Raja from the Garbhagruha (sanctum sanctorum) of the Indradyumna, the legendary builder of the first Temple and taken in a traditional procession called temple. She had initiated this grand festival. 19 Orissa Review June-July - 2007 Hence, this festival is known after her name. It is Madanamohana, Lord Rama and Lord Krushna also said that Sri Gundicha temple was the place are seated on three rathas. After the deities are where Lord Jagannath had his first manifestation seated on their respective Rathas, the Gajapati in the present form and thus, is the birthplace of Maharaja of Puri sweeps the floor of the Rathas. Lord Jagannath. On this day, the deities are taken This niti is popularly known as Chhera Pahanra, out from the Temple and placed in their respective which is a great attraction of this festival. This rathas (chariots), kept near the Singha dwara. The signifies that even the highest sovereign power of deities are carried to the rathas in a traditional the state is only a sevaka (servant) before the ceremonial manner called Pahandi when Lord Almighty. After the Chhera Pahanra niti is over, Balabhadra and Lord Jagannath are made to the charioteers are seated on the respective swing forward and backward. As per tradition, chariots, the horses (four in each Ratha) are tied at first Sudarsana comes out followed by Lord and the ropes (usually four in each Ratha) are Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra and finally Lord fitted. A huge log is used as the break in each Jagannath. Ratha, which is operated manually. Thereafter, The ratha of Lord Jagannath is called the general public are allowed to pull the Rathas Nandighosha. It has 16 chakas (wheels) and the irrespective of caste, creed, sect, and religion and colours of the fabrics that cover the roofs of the sex distinctions. This liberty indicates that the deity ratha are red and yellow. The ratha of Lord is equal for every person on earth and grants equal Balabhadra is known as Taladhwaja, which has opportunity to all. Also, the festival signifies that 14 chakas and the colours of the fabrics are red the deities desire to come down to the level of and green. Devi Subhadra's ratha Debadalana has the common man for some time and move with 12 chakas and fabrics of red and black. In other them to Sri Gundicha Temple, which is at a words, the colours of the fabrics used to decorate distance of about three kms. from the main temple. the Rathas are yellow, green and black According to the tradition, first the ratha of respectively, mixed with red. Logs of wood for Lord Balabhadra is dragged followed by those the Rathas are procured from the forest of of Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath. It is a Dashapalla range, located about 200 kms away nine-days festival, when the deities are taken to from Puri. Government of Orissa in Forest the Sri Gundicha Temple from the main Temple Department takes special care and efforts to along the Bada danda (Grand Road) in three provide required number and quantity of logs of gorgeously decorated Rathas, especially made for wood with prescribed specifications for the each of the three principal deities. Normally, the purpose. The three Rathas are dismantled after Rathas reach the destination by the evening on the festival is over. the very first day of the festival and on the ninth As per the tradition, Sudarsana sits by the day of this festival, the deities are brought back side of Devi Subhadra in her ratha. from the Sri Gundicha Temple to the Singha dwara Madanamohana, the representative deity of of the main temple on the same Rathas. Thus, the Jagannath Mahaprabhu sits in the ratha. Rama deities practically spend seven days in the Sri and Krushna take their seats in the ratha of Lord Gundicha temple. The return journey is known Balabhadra. These small idols are made of brass. as Bahuda yatra and is observed in the same Thus, seven deities namely Lord Jagannath, Lord manner as Ratha yatra.