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Festivals of Lord Sri Jagannath |
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By large 13 Festivals are
celebrated at Lord Jagannath Temple
1. Niladri Mahodaya
2. Snana Yatra
3. Sri Gundicha or Ratha Yatra (Car Festival)
4. Sri Hari Sayan
5. Utathapan Yatra
6. Parswa Paribartan
7. Dakhinayan Yatra
8. Prarbana Yatra
9. Pusyavishek
10. Uttarayan
11. Basantika Dola Yatra
12. Damanak Chaturdasi
13. Chandan Yatra
Other Festivals Observed In Srimandir
1. PANA SANKRANTI or MAHA BISUBA SANKRANTI -
Special Nitis are performed in the Temple on this day. The day marks the
beginning of the Oriya New Year
2. CHANDAN YATRA - The festival is observed
for a period of 42 days starting from Baisakh Shukla Trutiya or Akshaya Trutiya.
Mahalakshmi and Bhudevi is accompanied by proxies of Sri Jagannath that is Madan
Mohan, Rama Krushna, Laxmi, Saraswati and five Shivas that is Sri Lokanath, Sri
Yameswar, Sri Kapalamochan, Sri Markandeswar and Sri Nilakantheswar in different
Palanquins move to the Narendra Tank for a ritual evening cruise everyday for 21
days. At the Chandan Mandap on side the Pond the deities engage them selves in
water sport by the specially arranged Vats of sandalpaste water. In the
valedictory night the deities cruise for 21 times. The Chandan Yatra is also
other wise known as Gandhalepana Yatra. The second period of 21 days is known as
the Bhitara Chandan or Inner Chandan as during this period the festival takes
place in side the Temple Premise and the Deities play in the water on four
occasions namely on the dark fort night , on the new moon day, on the 6th and
11th day of the bright fort night of the month of the Jyestha. A consecrated
cistern in the Temple represents the Narendra Tank.
3. NILADRI MAHODAYA (ADHIBASA) - The day of
bright fort night of Baisakh
4. NILADRI MAHODAYA - The festival s
observed on the 8th day of the bright fort night of Baisakh. One hundred and
eight pots of consecrated water are offered to the Deities and other Nitis are
performed.
5. JALAKRIDA - This is celebrated on
a) 11th day of black fort night of Jyestha
b) New moon day of Jyestha
c) 6th day of bright fort night of Jyestha
d) 1th day of bright fort night of Jyestha
6. NRUSINGHA JANMA - Celebrated on the 14th
day of the bright fort night of Baisakh when the imasge of Nrusingha is taken
ssion to Jagannathballav where some Nitis are performed and after that the deity
returns to the Temple.
7. SITAL SASTHI - The 6th day of bright fort
Night of Jyestha. The images of Dola Govinda and Pancha Pandava Siva are taken
to the Temple of Lakshmi where a ceremony is performed.
8. RAJENDRAVISEKA - The 10th day of the
bright fort night of Jyestha. Lord Jagannath has his Abhiseka and the proposal
of his marrige with Rukmini is broached
9. RUKMINI HARANA - On the 11th day of the
bright fort night of Jyestha. Madanmohan, the representative of deity of Sri
Jagannath Rukmini from the Temple of Sri Bimala while she is offering worship
and after that the marrige is performed.
10. CHAMPAK DWADASI - Celebrated on 13th day
of bright fort night of Jyestha.
11. ENTERING OF DAITA PATIS - Celebrated on
13th day of bright fort night of Jyestha
12. SNANA YATRA - This is the Jyestha
Purnima, the birth day of Sri Jagannath. The followings are performed on that
day.
a) The three deities are brought in a colorful Pahandi procession to the
decorated Snana Bedi, an elevated bathing platform in tha Ananda Bazar (On the
north east corner of the outer enclosure for a ritual bath. Sudarshan and
Madanmohan also join them. 108 pitchers full of scented water are ched from a
sacred well (Suna kua near the north gate) and are poured over the Deities
amidst chanting of Mantras and loud rejoicings. Soon after their bath appears
Jagannath in the form of Ganesha , Subhadra appears in the form of Padma Vesha.
This particular vesha is called Gaja Vesha, Puri Raja or his representative ,
Mudiratha conducts Cherapanhara (Ritual cleaning of Snana Mnandap)
b) Anasara (From Snana Purnima to Asadha Amavasya) - The Deities are
ceremonially brought back to the Ansarapindi that is a side room in the po ch
where their circular stone pedestals for the deities were already placed. There
they stay sequestered for a period of 15 days. During this period, the deities
are given fresh coats of paint. Special Ansara Nitis are performed. Only the
Daitas attend to the Deities . An improvised bamboo wall (Ansara Pati) bearing
the paintings of the deities is how ever placed there for a proxy worship by the
devotees. Coats of successive indigenous paints given to the deities take a long
time to dry up. It is believed that the deities suffer from fever on the account
of elaborate bath and for that they are kept in dietary provisions (No cooked
food is served) and are nursed by the Daitas, the Kinsmen of God belonging to
the Sabar Tribe.
13. FULARI LAGI - Celebrated on 5th day of
black fort night of Asadha
14. CHAKA BIJE - Celebrated on the 10th
black fort night of Asadha
15. CHANDAN LAGI - Celebratyed on 11th black
fort night of Asadha
16. DWADASI and RAJ PRASAD BIJE - Celebrated
on the 12th black fort night of Asadha
17. GHANA LAGI and SRI PAYAR MUDRA -
Celebrated on the 13th black fort night of Asadha
18. CHAKA APASAR LAGI - Celebrated on 13th
black fort night of Asadha
19. NETROTSAVA or NAVA YAUVANA DARSHAN - On
the concluding day of Anasara that is Asadha Amavasya, the Deities decked in
their finest robes and Ornaments appear before devotees. The festival of re
appearance of Jagannath after Anasara is called Nava Yauvana or fresh youth. The
ceremony of giving finishing touches to the eyes of the deities is called
Netrotsav.
20. RATHA YATRA - On the Asadha Sukla
dwitiya, after preliminary rituals the three deities and Sudarshan are ushered
in to their specially built decorated chariot parked near the Simhadwara in a
ceremonial Pahandi procession. The Thakur Raja of Puri conducts the ceremonial
chhera panhara on the three chariots. The chariot are pulled amidst loud
speakers and playing of various musical instruments The chariots rumble through
the Grand Road to reach the Gundicha Mandir, situated at a distance of 3 Kms
north east of Sri Mandir. On the way the deities are offered Pankti, way side
sacred offerings by heads of various Maths. The deities are ushered in to the
Gundicha Tempple the next day and there they enjoy a week long sojourn. The ogs
on the chariot spires are worshipped every day. Hera Panchami is observed on the
Shukla Panchami. The image of Goddess Lakshmi is ceremonially taken to Gundicha
Temple where the chariots are anchored. She does not call on Jagannath, rather
leaves the front yard of the Gundicha temple abruptly causing a little damage to
Jagannath's chariot, Nandighosh. She come back to her temple via Hera Gouri Sahi.
On the eighth day the chariot are placed facing south west for resumption of
their return journey next day.
21. HERA PANCHAMI - Celebrated on both day
of bright fort night of Asadha.
22. BAHUDA YATRA - The return journey of the
deities commences on the 9th day. On their way back they halt at Mausima Temple
and receive cake from their aunt. Then they move on. Chariots of Balabhadra and
Subhadra reach Simhadwar first and Nandighosh stays back in front of the palace
of Puri Raja. From the Chahani Mandap. Viewing plat form near the Snana Mandap,
Goddess Laxmi watches the safe return of Lord Jagannath. Nandighosh finally
reaches at the Simhadwara and that marks the end of the Journey. On the 11th
day, the deities still occuping their chariots out side the Simhadwara are
richly decorated with various gold ornaments brought from the temple store. They
appear in Suna Vesha. On the 12th day Niladri Vijaya is celebrated. Balabhadra
and Subhadra in ceremonial gotipahandi are ushered in to the Ratna Sinhasan
where as Jagannath alone is left behind and becomes a target of mock humiliation
by Devadasis at the bidding of Laxmi. When the pleasant repartee is over,
Jagannath and Laxmi are re united. This event is known as Laxmi-Narayana Bheta.
Then lord Jagannath majestically repairs to his ratna singhasan and joins his
brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra.
23. SUNA VESHA - celebrate on 11th day of
bright fortnight of Asadha.
24. SAYANA EKADASI- On the 11th day of the
bright night of Asadha, the sayana Ustav or sleeping ceremony is performed. The
adhivasa nitis are performed the previous day. At night the representatives
images Srinarayan, Vasudeva and Bhubaneswari representing Jagannath, Balabhadra
and Subhadra respectively are brought to the well decorated sleeping chamber and
placed on the cots. They are invoked with prayer" O lord, do please sleep for
four months for the well fare of the universe". Then they are laid on their
respective beds.
25. GARUDA SAYANA DWADASI - The ceremony is
performed on the 12th day of the bright fortnight of Asadha.
26. ADHAR PANA ON RATH - Celebrated on 12th
day of bright fortnight of Asadha.
27. NILADRI BIJE - Celebrated on 13th day of
bright fortnight of Asadha.
28. KARKATA SANKRANTI or DAKHINAYAN YATRA -
As the Sun begins to move to the autumnal equinox, a festival called as
Dakhinayan Yatra is observed.
29. CHITALAGI AMAVASYA - On the new moon day
in the month of Shrabana the Gold and Stone sets Chitas moved from the deities
during Snana Yatra are again put on them.
30. BADI NRUSINGH BIJE - Celebrated on 9th
day of bright fortnight of Shravan.
31. JHULAN YATRA - It is celebrated in the
Temple from the Shrabana Shukla Dasami up to Pratipada. Madanmohan, the proxy of
Jagannath Saraswati and Laxmi are placed on a decorated swings in Jhulan Mandap
and crowds of Pilgrims congregate in the Temple to see the Festival. Different
Mathas of Puri also celebrate this festival with great pomp and grandeur.
32. GAMHAPURNIMA or BALABHADRA JANMA - On
the full moon day in the month of Shravana nitis are performed to celebrate the
birthday of Balabhadra. The deities wear gold and silken rachis.
33. The deities wear RAHUREKHA LAGI -
Rahurekha ornaments for the forehead on the 5th lunar day of the dark fortnight
of Balabhadra.
34. KRUSHNA JANMA - It is celebrated in the
Temple on the 8th day of the dark fortnight of Baraga. On this day ceremonies
regarding the birth of Lord Krishna are performed. On the next day Nandostaba is
observed.
35. NANDOSTAV - Celebrated on 9th day of
black fortnight of Bhadraba.
36. BANA BHOJI VESHA - Celebrated on 10th
day of black fortnight of Bhadraba.
37. KALIYA DALAN VESHA - Celebrated on 11th
day of black fortnight of Bhadraba.
38. PALMBASUR BADHA VESHA - Celebrated on
12th day of black fortnight of Bhadraba.
39. KRUSHNA BALARAM VESHA - Celebrated on
13th day of black fortnight of Bhadraba.
40. SAPTAPURI AMAVASYA - The new mood day of
Bhadraba. On this day quantities of sweets known as Saptapuri Tada are offered
to the Deities
41. DABAGNI - Celebrated on 12th day of
bright fortnight of Bhadraba.
42. NIKUNJA LILA - Celebrated on 12th day of
bright fortnight of Bhadraba.
43. GANESH CHATURTHI - The 4th day of the
bright fortnight in the month of Bhadraba. Panji Puja is done at Saraswati
Temple and various Pujas are performed in the Temple of Ganesh.
44. REKHA PANCHAMI - Celebrated on 5th day
of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadraba.
45. KRUSHNA LILA - Celebrated on 6th and 7th
day of bright fortnight of Bhadraba.
46. RADHASTAMI - Celebrated on 8th day of
the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadraba is celebrated as the birthday of
Sri Radha. On this day nitis are performed by taking out Shri Sudarshan to the
four Ashrams.
47. KRISHNA LILA or LABANI KHIA- Celebrated
on 10th day of bright fortnight of Bhadraba.
48. PARSVAPARIVARTANA - On the Hanosara day
of the 11th day of the bright fortnight of in the month of Bhadraba, the
Parsvaparivartan (Turning of Sides) festival is performed. On this day at
evening after the usual rituals, the God is requested to change the side.
49. BAMANA JANMA - various nitis are
performed relating to the birth of Bamana on the 12th day of the bright
fortnight of Bhadraba. Sunia is also marks the beginning of the Oriya New Year.
50. ANANTA CHATURDASI - On the 14th day of
the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadraba, the ceremony is performed in Sri
Ananta Basudeva Temple.
51. INDRA-GOVINDA PUJA - The Puja is
celebrated on Bhadraba Purnima, the full moon day in the month of Bhadraba.
52. SAHASRA KUMBHA ABHISEKA - Aswina Krushna
Asthami that is the 8th day of the dark fortnight of Aswina. Abhisek of Goddess
Durga is done at Majana Mandapa and from this day Shola Puja is performed in the
Temple of Bimala and other Goddesses.
53. DASAHARA - On the 10th day of the bright
fortnight in the month of Aswina. Ayudha Puja and Vijaya Dasami celebrations are
performed.
54. DWITYA OSHA - It is performed by Goddess
Laxmi in her Temple.
55. KARTIKA BRATA - This is also called as
the starting of Radha Damodar Besha and starts from the beginning of 11th day of
bright fortnight of Aswina.
56. KUMAR PURNIMA - On the full moon day in
the month of Aswina the Sevakas representing Sri Jagannath and Sri Laxmi play
dice.
57. HARI UTTHAPANA EKADASI - On the 11th day
of the bright fortnight in the month of Kartika, the gods are awakened from the
divine slumber. The festival is also called "Probadhana Yatra" or rising
ceremony.
58. GARUDA UTTHAPAN DWADASI - This is
performed on the 12th day of the bright fortnight of full moon of Kartika.
59. PANCHAK VESA - Started from the
beginning of 11th day of bright fortnight to Full Moon of Kartika.
60. NAVANNA - Various extra Bhogas are
offered on this occasion. There is no fixed day for this festival but it is
fixed by the Temple Astrologer according to the stars of Sri Jagannath.
61. PRATHAMASTAMI - The 8th day of the dark
fortnight in the month of Margasira when Bandapana is done.
62. DIPADANA -
63. ODHANA SASTHI - The 6th day of the
bright fortnight in the month of Margasira. From this day Ghodalagi begins that
is the Deities are dressed in winter garments
64. PANDU PURNIMA - It is celebrated on full
moon day of Margasira.
65. DHANU SANKRANTI - Pahali Bhoga begins
from the day on Dhanu Sankranti to Makara Sankranti.
66. BAKUL AMABASYA - On Pausa Amabasya
special Bhogas including Gaintha are offered to the Deities.
67. PUSYABHISEKA - Nitis such as Adhibasa
etc are performed on the full moon day in the month of Pausa. Pots filled with
perfumed water are taken from Bhoga Mandap to the Ratna Vedi. This Abhiseka is
performed for the representatives deities like Rama, Sita and Lakshaman for
which is also known as Ramabhiseka.
68. NABANKI - It is celebrated on the
previous day of Makar Sankranti.
69. MAKAR SANKRANTI - This is also called as
Uttarayani Yatra and is performed on the Makar Sankranti day when the Sun moves
towards Vernal Equinox.
70. PADMA VESHA - It is celebrared on
Tuesday or Saturday between new moon of Magha to Basanta Panchami
71. BASANTA PANCHAMI - Panji Puja is done in
the Saraswati Temple and there is some modification in Ghodalagi that is in the
winter garments worn by the Deities.
72. TILA SAPTAMI - Celebrated on the 7th day
of bright fortnight of Magha.
73. BHOUMA EKADASI - Celebrated on the 11th
day of bright fortnight of Magha.
74. MAGHA PURNIMA - Gajauddharana Vesha
takes place on this day.
75. SIVA RATRI - Hari Hara Bheta takes place
at Sri Lokanath Temple.
76. BENTA or SIKAR - This festival is
performed on the 1st, 4th, 8th, and the 12th day of the bright fortnight to
Phalguna. On these days the image of Dola Govinda is taken to Jagannathballav
Matha, which is known as the pleasure garden of Jagannath, and coconuts are
struck with arrows by some sevakas symbolizing Mrugaya.
77. DOLA YATRA - It is performed during the
period from Phalguna Dasami, the 10th day of the bright Phalguna to the Purnima
or Full Moon day. The representative Deities of Lord Jagannath are taken to Dola
and various Nitis are performed. This is also known as Vasantosab. Fagu or Red
powder is sprinkled on the Deities.
78. AGNI USTAVA - Celebrated on the 14th of
bright fortnight of Phalguna.
79. HOLI - Celebrated on 1st black fortnight
of Chaitra.
80. CHAITRA GUNDUCHA - A festival is
observed on the 6th day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra in the Sun Temple in
side the Temple Premise.
81. ASHOKASTAMI - It is celebrated on the
8th day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra. Sri Bhandar Lokanath is taken in a
procession to the Temple of Isaneswar Mahadeva where certain ceremonies are
performed. The Deity turns to the Temple after attending to some Nitis at
Jagannathballava.
82. RAMA NAVAMI - The festival begins with
the celebration of the birth of Sri Rama on the 9th day of the bright Fortnight
of Chaitra and continues for some Days. Rama Lila is performed in which
different Sahis or Localities in the town participate.
83. YAGNYA RAKSHYA - Celebrated on the 10th
of bright fortnight of Chaitra.
84. SITA VIVAH - Celebrated on 11th day of
the bright fortnight of Chaitra.
85. BANABASA - Celebrated on the 12th day of
bright fortnight of Chaitra.
86. DAMANAKA CHORI or DAMANAK LAGI - The
festival is celebrated on the 13th day and 14th day of the bright fortnight of
Chaitra. The Deities Rama and Krishna are taken in a procession to
Jagannathballav Matha from where a scented plant called Dayana is stealthily
brought and on the next day offered to the Deities by observing elaborator tites.
87. LANKA PODI - Celebrated on full moon day
of Chaitra.
88. SETU BADDHA - Celebrated on 1st day of
black fortnight of Baisakha.
89. RAVAN BADHA - Celebrated on 2nd day of
black fortnight of Baisakha.
90. RAMABHISEKA - It does not occur on a
particular day. It is calculated per the position of the stars.