83. Other Functions of Jagannath Puri Temple

Other Functions of Jagannath Puri Temple:

1. Nrsimha Janma:

The birthday of Nrsimha is celebrated on the 14th day of bright Vaisakha.

2. Sitala Sasthi:

Marriage of Shiva with Parvati is celebrated on the 6th day of bright Jyestha. Lakshmi welcomes the couple for the occasion.

3. Rukmini Haran Ekadasi:

This is held on the 11th day of bright Jyestha. The marriage is held between Madan Mohan as Krishna and Lakshmi as Rukmini.

4. Chitalagi Amavasya:

This function is held on the new moon day of Sravan, when the deities wear Chitas.

5. Jhulan Yatra:

This festival is observed for a period of 7 days beginning from the 9th day of bright Sravan. A well decorated swing is prepared on the Mukti-Mandap for the occasion, in which Madan Mohan, Lakshmi and Saraswati swung a mid-great rejoice.

6. Gamha Purnima:

The birthday of Balabhadra is celebrated on the full moon day of Sravan.

7. Janmashtami:

Krishna's birthday is celebrated on the 8th day of dark Bhadra, which is called Janmashtami. This festival is observed for a period of 21 days in different parts of Puri town and also in Jagannath Ballabh Math. During this period different episodes of the childhood days of Krishna are dramatised.

8. Ganesh Chaturthi:

On the 4th day of bright Bhadra, the birthday of Ganesh is celebrated in the temple.

9. Vaman Janma:

The birthday of Vaman (dwarf incarnation) is celebrated on the 11th day of bright Bhadra in the temple.

10. Durga Puja:

Durga Puja is observed in the temple for a period of 16 days beginning from the 8th day of dark Aswin and ending with the special worship on the 9th day of the bright fortnight of the month. On these days the Madhav image of Jagannath and the image of Durga are tied together and a combined worship and Bhog for these two deities is held. On all these 16 days, special worship and chanting of Chandi are done in the Bimala temple. During the last 3 days, special Bhoga of cooked food and Bali (sacrifice) for Durga are done in that temple along with the worship and chanting of Chandi verses.

11. Kumara Purnima:

This festival is observed on the full moon day of Aswin. That day a gambling competition is held between Jagannath and Lakshmi, in which Jagannath loses and the Madhav image representing Jagannath stays in Lakshmi temple for a period of 7 days.

12. Kartik Vrat:

Kartik Vrat is observed in the temple of Jagannath from the 11th day of bright Aswin till the full moon day of Kartik, extending over the whole month. During all these days, an additional Bhog known as "Baladhup" is offered to the deities. A large number of pilgrims visit the temple during the whole month.

13. Prathamashtami:

This function is held on the 8th day of the bright Margasir. A special Bandapan of Jagannath is done on this day.

14. Dipavali:

Dev Dipavali is observed in the temple on the 14th day of Margasir. This day Jagannath performs Sraddha and offers lamps in favour of His forefathers.

15. Basant Panchami:

Basant Panchami is celebrated on the 5th day of bright Magha. Special activities of this day include Chacheri Vesa of Dola Govind, Lakshmi and Saraswati, smearing sandal wood paste, playing with coloured powder, service with Alat and Chamar (types of fan), Bandapana and a hunting pastime.

16. Shivaratri:

Shivaratri is celebrated all over India on the 14th day of dark Phalgun and this festival is also known as Shiva Chaturdasi. A great fair is organised near Lokanath temple of Puri. This day both Hari (Vishnu) and Hara (Shiva) meet each other.

17. Rama Navami:

The Birthday of Ramachandra is celebrated in the temple on the 9th day of bright Chaitra like everywhere in India. From that day onwards and for 7 days different episodes of Ramayan are dramatised at Jagannath Vallabh Math with the participation of the inhabitants of the town. Sahiyatra (demonstration of military skill) is also held on these days.

18. Maha Bisub Sankranti:

The Sankranti of the month of Mesa (Vaisakh) is called Maha Bisub Sankranti or Pana Sankranti. The birthday of Hanuman is celebrated on this day.

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