DAILY RITUALS AT PURI TEMPLE

1. "Dwaraphitha and Mangala Aarati" at 5 a.m

The door opens early in the morning in the presence of five specific sevayats after verification of the “seal” given by a particular sevayat in the last night. Soon after the opening of the door, Mangala Aarati is performed.

2. “Mailama” at 6 a.m.

“Mailam” is a word used in Sri Jagannath Temple Puri, which means change or removal of dresses and flowers etc. At this time some specific sevaks change the clothes, flowers, Tulasi leaves of the deities worn on the previous night. After removal of clothes, the clothes known as “Tadapa” and “Uttariya” are worn by the deities.

3. “Abakasha” – 6 a.m. to 6.30 a.m.

Purificatory rites like brushing of teeth and bath is known as “Abakasha”. At this time, Temple Jyotishi (Astrologer) reads out the Tithi(day and date) and other astrological details of the day and according to that, that day's rituals are performed.

4. “Mailama” 6.45 a.m.

At this time deities change their clothes (Tadap and Uttariya) and wear another set of clothes. A sevak known as “Akhanda Mekapa” keeps in the sanctum Akhanda Baitha i.e. one lamp which burns till “Pahuda” or the time of the retirement of the deities to bed.

5. “Sahanamela” – 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Though this is not a part of the rituals, but about one hour is spent to facilitate pilgrims to go up to “Ratnavedi” or inner sanctums to have a Darshan, without paying fees for it. On certain festive days, Sahanamela is held after “Sandhya Dhupa” (Evening Puja or Sandhya Aarati in the month of Kartik) and after "Sakala Dhupa" (in the month of Pausha). Some times this darshan is not allowed for some special rituals of the deities.

6. “Beshalagi” – 8 a.m.

After Sahanamela the deities are again dressed up which can be witnessed from a little distance i.e.” Bhitara Katha”. At this time, Deities are also adorned with gold and precious stones to suit different festive occasions.

7. Rosha Homa Surya Puja and Dwarapal– 8 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.

While some sevayats are busy with vesha lagi or the Deities, Pujapandas at that time perform “Rosha Homa” (Fire Sacrifice) at the kitchen and “Surya Puja” at the surya temple near “Mukti Mandap”. Then the images of two gate keepers named Jaya and Vijaya on the entrance of the Jagamohan of the Temple are worshipped.

8. Gopala Ballava Puja– 9 a.m.

The prescribed time is 9 A.M. This is the time for breakfast of the deities. At this time sweet popcorn (Khai), Khualadus, Coconut sweets (Kora), Ripe banana, Curd, and chipped coconuts etc are offered as Bhogas. Puja is performed in a brief manner with "Pancha Upachar" only.

9. Sakala Dhupa(Morning food offering) 10 a.m

At this time puja is performed by three Pujapandas with 16 Upachars or "Sodasha Upachars". Three Pujapandas used to sit on Ratnasinhasana to worship three deities Shri Balabhadra, Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath. The Pujapanda who worships Lord Jagannath also worships Sri Devi, Bhudevi, and Sudarshan. The morning bhoga or food offered to the deities contains Rice, Kanika, Khechudi, Green leaves, Cakes etc. The local names of the Bhog are "Pitha Puli", "Hansakeli", "Kanti", "Enduri", "Matha Puli", "Kakatua Jhili", "Bundia", "Kadali Bhaja", "Ada Pachedi" (ginger tonic) etc.The cost of the dhoop Pujas and Ballavs are borne by the Temple Administration. Previously Raja-Superintendent of the temple born the cost of materials for preparation of Bhoga. So these Bhogas are also called “Raja Bhoga” or “Kotha Bhoga”.

10. "Mailama and Bhoga Mandap"

After Morning Dhupa or Puja the Deities change their clothes and again Puja takes places in “Bhoga Mandap”, a place behind the Garuda pillar of Jagamohan. Huge quantity of Bhogas such as Rice, Dal, Curries, Saga and Cakes of different kinds etc are offered to the Deities. Pujapandas worship this bhog with Pancha Upacharas. The cost of Bhoga Mandap offerings are not borne by the state or Temple Administration. This bhoga is mainly prepared to meet the need of different Mathas(Monasteries) and for sale to the general public. According to the demand, Bhogamandap Puja is made twice or thrice a day i.e. after “Madhyanha Dhoop” and “Sandhya Dhup” also.

11. "Madhyanha Bhoga" (Afternoon food offering) 11 A.M. to 1 P.M.

Like Sakal Dhupa, this puja is also performed with "Shodasha Upachar" in the afternoon. The Bhoga items are more in number than that of Morning Dhupa. One can go near to the “Ratna Singhasan” for darshan by paying special Darshan fee of Rs. 25/- after Madhyanha Dhupa and Sakal Dhupa.

12. "Madhyanha Pahudha" - 1 p.m. to 1.30 p.m

If rituals have been performed in time and if time permits, the Deities retire for the afternoon.

13. "Sandhya Aarati"

In the evening again aaratis are performed after Madhyana Dhupa Mailama. On Ekadashi day, the deities change their clothes and wear another set after “Aarati” is over.

14. "Sandhya Dhupa" – 7 p.m. to 8 p.m

After “Sandhya Aarati” again Bhogas are offered to the deities in the same manner like Sakala and Madhyanha Dhupa but this time Bhoga amount is less in
quantity and number. After Puja again lamp offering is made which is called as “Jaya Mangala Aarati”.

15. "Mailam and Chandana Laggi"

After “Sandhya Dhoopa” deities change their clothes and are annointed with Sandal paste mixed with Champhor, Keshar and Kasturi. One can witness this ritual by paying special Darshan fees of Rs. 25/-.

16. "Badashringar Vesha"

After Chandana Laggi, deities are dressed with Baralagi Patta (silken robes on which some portions of Geeta Govinda of Jayadev are woven in to the texture of these robes) and flower ornaments.

17. "Badashringara Bhoga"

This is the last bhoga of the day. Puja is offered with "Pancha Upachar" by the Puja Pandas with Pakhal (watered rice), Kadali bada, Khiri, Kanji etc.

18. "Khata Seja Lagi and Pahuda" 12.00am

The bedsteads of the deities are arranged. The Deity of “Sayan Thakura” is carried from Bhandarghar to Ratnavedi or Ratnasighasana and place the deity near Lord Jagannath. Then follows offering of green coconut, betels and camphor aarati and then deities retire to their beds. The door is sealed then by the Sevayat (Talichha Mohapatra). Temple is closed and no visitors or outsiders are allowed to remain inside.

This is in brief the daily rituals observed in the Temple. It is generally not possible to follow the time prescribed for each ritual on account of various practical difficulties. On the specific festive days, additional rituals are performed. As a result, changes in timings and alterations in the routine rituals are made.