LIVING TRADITION >> Other Festivals
A lot of festivals, functions and ceremonies are held in Shreemandira throughout the year. Festivals of the temple draw huge crowds not only from Odisha but also from other States of India. The festivals are, no doubt, occasions of great religious experience and devotional fervor.
Chitalagi Amabasya
On the new moon day of Sravana, the gold and precious stone Chita’s adorned on the three principal deities. ‘Chita’ is an ornament for the forehead. This ornament is removed from the deities in the night of the Snana Yatra after the deities return to the temple. The Chita’s are readorned on the said occasion.
Chitalagi Amabasya
Badi Nrusimha Bije
On the 11th day of the bright fortnight of Sravana, the moving deity Badi Nrusimha (the representaive image) is visit four ashramas in the town. Special rites are performed on this occasion in the ashrama.
Badi Nrusimha Bije
Jhulan Yatra
It is celebrated for seven days from the Shravana Shukla Dashami upto Pratipada. The representive images Madan Mohana, Rama, Krushna, Shreedevi and Bhudevi are placed on a swing on the Mukti Mandapa (Jullana Mandapa).
On the full moon day i.e. Jhulan Purnima or ‘Gamha Purnima’, the birth day of Shree Balabhadra is celebrated in the temple.
Jhulan Yatra
Balabhadra Janma
On the full moon day i.e. Jhulan Purnima or Gamha Purnima, the birth day of Shree Balabhadra is celebrated in the temple.
Balabhadra Janma
Rahurekha Lagi
On the 5th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadraba, ‘Rahurekha’ a gold ornament for the forehead and face are worn by the three principal deities. In the night of Snana Purnima after the deities return to the temple this ornament is removed from the deities and readorned on the aforesaid date.
Rahurekha Lagi
Krushna Janma and other connected ceremonies
The birth day of Lord Shree Krushna is celebrated on the 8th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadraba. On the next day, Nandostava is observed in the temple. Certain ceremonies relating to Krushna Lila, like Banabhoji, Kolibika, Bakasura, Kaliyadalan, Pralambasura badha are celebrated for some days.
Shree Krushna Janma
Saptapuri Amabasya
On the new moon day of Bhadraba. A special bhoga called ‘Saptapuri bhoga’ is brought from the ‘roshaghar’ along with Sakala dhupa in a ceremonial manner to the sanctum and is offer to the deities by the Pujapandas as per ‘Sodhasha Upachara’.
Saptapuri Amabasya
Ganesh Chaturthi
On the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadraba, special rites are performed in the Bata Ganesh Temple.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Rishi Panchami
On the 5th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadraba. The representive image of Shreedevi visits Markandeswar temple and some special rites is performed there.
Rishi Panchami
Radhastami
On the 8th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadraba. Lord Shree Sudarshan adorned with ornaments visits the four ashramas of the Rishis and Yameswar temple. Some special rites are done in Yameswar temple on the occasion.
Radhastami
Baman Janma
On the 12th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadraba. Birth day ritual of Lord Baman is performed in the temple.
Baman Janma
Ananta Chaturdashi
On the 14th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadraba. A special rites is performed in the Ananta Basudev temple by a Pujapanda sevak and he reads Ananta brata katha (The story of Ananta brata)
Ananta Chaturdashi
Indra Govinda Puja
On the full moon day of Bhadraba. The image of Dolagovinda appears besides the Badachhata Matha in a ceremonial procession. ‘Sitala bhoga’ is offered. It is followed by ‘Bandapana’ to Indra, Chandra and Govinda by Bhitarchha Mohapatra sevak.
Indra Govinda Puja
Sahasra Kumbha Abhiseka
On the 8th day of dark fortnight of Ashwina, abhiseka of Goddess Durga image is done. From this day onwards Shola Puja (Puja for sixteen days) of Goddess Vimala is performed.
Sahasra Kumbha Abhiseka
Dasahara
On the 10th day of bright fortnight of Ashwina, the Raja Besha of Shree Jagannatha takes place on this day and the Ayudha (weapons) of the Lords are worshipped.
Dasahara
Kumar Purnima
On the full moon day of Ashwina. Lord Shree Sudarshana visit four ashramas. After Badasinghara dhupa, the Pujapanda, Patimohapatra and Mudirasta gamble, play the games of dice and ‘cowrie’ again under the Ratnasinghashana.
Kumar Purnima
Garbhana Sankranti
Special rites are performed on this day. The deities are adorned with six pieces of ornaments and new clothes after ‘Sarbanga’ rites.
Garbhana Sankranti
Nabanna
Special rites such as ‘Prasada Lagi’, ‘Bandapana’ adorned with ornaments and bhoga on this festival occasion are performed.
Nabanna
Prathamastami
Margasira Krushna Astami. The deities put on new clothes and smeared with sandal paste ‘Mangalarpana’ for three deities is done after the mid-day dhupa.
Prathamastami
Deep Danna and Pitru Shraddha
Margasira Krushna Chaturdashi, Amabasya and Shukla Pratipada. During these three days Shree Jagannatha offers special bhoga & Lamps to his Pitrupurusha (ancestors) like Nanda, Vasudeva,and Dasaratha and also to the king Indradyumna.
Deep Danna and Pitru Shraddha
Margasira Purnima (Pandu Purnima)
The image of Nrusimha visits four ashramas and special rites are performed there.
Margasira Purnima
Pahili Bhoga
During the month of Dhanu Sankranti to day before Makara Sankranti i.e. for a period of one month, special bhoga known as ‘Pahili Bhoga’ is offered along with Ballava bhoga in the morning.
Pahili Bhoga
Bakula Amabasya (Posha Amabasya)
On this day after the morning dhupa is over ‘Baula gaintha’ (a kind of porridge mixed with the mango blossoms) is offered to the Lord.
Bakula Amabasya
Basanta Panchami
Falls on 5th day of the bright fortnight of Magha. The deities wear modified winter garments.
Basanta Panchami
Tila Saptami
Magha Shukla Saptami. On this day after the evening dhupa, special rites and ‘Bandapana’ are done in the Surya Temple (Sun God).
Tila Saptami
Bhouma Ekadasi
Magha Shukla Ekadasi. Special rites such as ‘Prasad Lagi’, ‘Bandapana’, adornment of specific ornaments and special Bhogas are offered to the deities.
Bhouma Ekadasi
Magha Purnima
On this day, Gaja Uddharana Besha of Shree Jagannatha is observed after the mid-day dhupa.
Magha Purnima
Sivaratri
Phalguna Krushna Chaturdashi. On this day Shree Lokanatha, the custodian of ‘Ratnabhandara’ (treasure house) of Shreemandira goes to the Shree Lokanath Temple. There ‘Hari-Hara Bheta’, Bhoga and Bandapana are performed.
Sivaratri
Holi
Chaitra Krushna Pratipada. On this day, the images of Shreedevi, Bhudevi and Dolagobinda proceed to the Narendra Tank. The special rites such as Prasada lagi, Sheetala bhoga and Bandapana followed by Chamar alata are observed.
Holi
Chaitra Gundicha
Chaitra Shukla Sasthi. A special rite is performed in the Surya Temple in the inner compound.
Chaitra Gundicha
Ashokastami
This ritual is observed on Chaitra Shukla Astami. Special rite is performed in the Ishaneswara temple in the outer compound of the temple.
Ashokastami
Shree Ramanavami
Celebrated on the 9th day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra the birth day ritual of Lord Rama is performed. From this day onwards Ramalila is performed.
Shree Ramanavami
Damanaka Chori (Dayanalagi)
Celebrated on Chaitra Shukla trayodashi & chaturdashi. The representative deities Rama and Krushna are taken in a procession to Jagannatha Ballava Matha, where the deities pick up their dear ‘dayana’ leaves from the Matha garden and on the 14th day, the leaves are offered to the Lords.
Damanaka Chori
Maha Vishuva Sankranti (Pana Sankranti)
The birth day rituals of Mahaveer (Hanuman) is performed in the temple as well as in Jagannatha Ballav Matha. Specific Bhoga and Bandapana rites are done in the Matha.
Maha Vishuva Sankranti
Nrusimha Janma
Celebrated on the 14th day of the bright fortnight of Baisakha. Nrusimha Janma niti or ritual is performed in the temple. The image of Lord Nrusimha is taken to Jagannatha Ballava Matha, where special rites are performed.
Nrusimha Janma
Sitala Sasthi
Celebrated on the 6th day of the bright fortnight of Jyestha. The special rites of Pancha Mahadeva are performed along with Dolagobinda in the temple.
Sitala Sasthi
Rajendraviseka
Celebrated on the 10th day of the bright fortnight of Jyestha. Rajendraviseka (coronation) of MadanMohana is performed on the eve of Rukmini Vivaha ceremony.
Rajendraviseka
Rukmini Haran & Vivaha Ceremony
Celebrated on the 11th day of the bright fortnight of Jyestha. The marriage ceremony of MadanMohana and Rukmini (Shreedevi) is performed.
Rukmini haran & Vivaha Ceremony
Champak Dwadashi
Celebrated on the 12th day i.e. the next day of Rukmini Vivaha Ceremony, certain rites are performed in the temple. The images of Madan Mohana and Shreedevi visit Srinahar in a ceremonial procession. The Gajapati Maharaja himself accords the bride and bridegroom a warm reception in the palace.