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.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

90. How should the non-Hindu devotees take it, when they are allowed no entry into Jagannath Temple

How should the non-Hindu devotees take it, when they are allowed no entry into Jagannath Temple: One may think - "The tradition around Him seems very cruel and abusive! It smacks of racism. How is He merciful if He won't allow His devotees entrance? How can He be called Patita pavana?" If one contemplates on Lord Jagannath's purpose and activities, though, they will find that He is not so easy to understand. When a devotee from another country stands outside of the Puri temple feeling sad that they are denied entry, they should look over their shoulder to see who is standing next to them. They may find themselves to be in quite good company. Good company: So the next time foreign devotees are standing outside of the temple in Puri feeling dejected and abused from being barred entry, they should look around. They may find themselves standing next to great devotees like Haridas Thakur, Rupa and Sanatana Goswamis, Maharaja Ramachandra dev, Salabeg, Dasia Bauri, the demig...
Read more

88. Pastime of Mother Lakshmi devi allowed no entry into Jagannath Temple

Pa stime of Mother Lakshmi devi allowed no entry into Jagannath Temple: There is an ancient and popular story in Puri' describing how Lakshmi devi, the goddess of fortune, was once refused entrance to Lord Jagannath's temple. In Orissa, every Thursday during the month of Marga- Sirsa (November-December) the ladies worship Lakshmi devi, the goddess of fortune. This tradition is still going on today. The ladies clean their houses nicely and decorate the entrances with designs made from rice flour paste. Worship and foodstuffs are then offered to Lakshmi. There was a candálini, outcaste woman, named Shriya who observed this ceremony with great devotion. Lakshmi devi became so pleased by Shriya's worship that she decided to personally leave her residence in the Jagannath temple to visit and bless Her devotee. When Lord Balaram heard that Lakshmi had gone there, He manifested some external anger. He spoke to His younger brother, "This is very bad! By going to the house of a...
Read more

94. Radha and Jagannath

Image
Radha and Jagannath: A question remains: How could Sri Gaurasundar, being in the mood of Radharani, be attracted to a form of Krishna if Krishna's beloved consort Sri Radha is not present with that form? Or is she? According to the 6th verse of Jagannathāṣṭakam, Radharani is situated in an embrace with Jagannath: para-brahmapidaḥ kuvalaya- dalotphulla-nayano nivasi niladrau nihita- carano 'nanta-sirasi rasanando radha-sarasa- vapur-alingana-sukho  jagannathaḥ svami  nayana-patha-gami  bhavatu me Lord Jagannath, whose eyes resemble full-blown lotus petals, is the last limit of the absolute. He is a resident of Nilachal Hill and His lotus feet are placed on the heads of Anantadeva. Overwhelmed by the mellows of love, He joyfully embraces Srimati Radharani's body to His chest. May that Jagannath Swami be visible before me! References to Srimati Radharani's presence with Lord Jagannath in Puri can also be found in several other little known ceremonies during the worship of ...
Read more