Besalagi
:
After sahanamela the deities change their clothes again. This is performed
between 8.00 A.M. to 8.20 A.M. in the morning. This time, the deities wear
different robes and gold ornaments studded with precious stones to suit
different festive occasions and seasons. Also, the deities wear flower
ornaments like Guna, Jhumpa, Adhara Mala and Tulasi Gabha.
Rosha
Homa :
The time is between 8.00 A.M. to 8.30 A.M. Homa (oblation to the fire) is
performed in the Rosha ghara (sacred kitchen) of the deities. Thereafter, that
fire is used in all the chulis (hearths) for cooking the food for deities. This
niti is performed by Pujapanda sevaka. It is said that previously Deula
Purohitas were performing this niti. The other sevakas engaged in this niti are
Dhopakhalia and Nikapa. Generally, Rosha Homa and Besalagi nitis are performed
simultaneously. It is worth mentioning that on account of this Rosha ghara, the
Temple may be described as the biggest hotel on this earth. It can feed even
one lakh persons per day. The method of preparation is very hygienic and the
traditional processes of food preparation for many people in a very short time
take many by utter surprise.
Surya
puja (worship of Sun God) :
Surya puja is performed in the Bhitara bedha (inner enclosure) near the Mukti
Mandapa. For this niti presence of the following sevakas namely (1) Pujapanda,
(2) Suarabadu, (3) Patribadu, (4) Garabadu and (5) Ghatuari are required.
Dwarapala
puja :
It means worship of the dwarapalas or guardian deities who are divine
gatekeepers at the Jaya Vijaya dwara which is the entrance/ door between the
Mukhasala/porch and the Natamandapa of the Temple. This puja is performed by a
Pujapanda sevaka.
Gopala
Ballabha Bhoga :
The word bhoga in Oriya and Sanskrit means enjoyment. This word is commonly
used in Orissa in the context of food offerings made to the deities in the
Temple. Every day and through out the year, fifty-six varieties of dishes
(Chhappan bhogas) are prepared and offered to the deities. Apart from this,
several other varieties of dishes are also prepared and offered on the occasion
of different festivals. Similarly, on specific occasions, special drinks are
also offered to the deities. The prescribed time of this niti is about 9.00
A.M. in the morning. This may be termed as the morning breakfast of the
deities, which consists of khai (sweet popcorn), kora (coconut sweets), khua
laddu, ripe banana, curd and chipped cocoanuts. The offerings are made at
Anasara pindi / Ballabha pindi which is the place between the Kalahata dwara
and the Bhitara katha in the Mukhasala. It may be mentioned that Kalahata
dwara/Kalaghata dwara/Chhamu dwara is the dwara or entrance/door between the
Garbhagriha and the Mukhasala/porch. Three Pujapandas perform this niti in a
brief manner with Pancha upacharas only. Pancha upacharas or five upacharas
refers to (1) Gandha (Chandana), (2) Pushpa (flower), (3) Dhupa (incense), (4)
Dipa (lamp) and Naivedya (food). Other sevakas associated with this niti are
(1) Sudu Suara, (2) Ballabha Jogania, (3) Suarabadu, (4) Patribadu, (5)
Garabadu, (6) Palia Mahasuara, (7) Pradhani and (8) some Temple officials. It
is worth mentioning that the deities change their dress at each meal and after
each meal pana (betel nuts) are offered to them as a part of the niti.
Sakala
dhupa (morning meal):
It means morning food offerings. The word dhupa is commonly used in the Temple
to mean the offering of a bhoga to the deities especially Sakala Dhupa (morning
meal), Madhyahna Dhupa (midday meal) and Sandhya Dhupa (evening meal) when the
nitis performed are a little elaborate. It is worth mentioning that alati is
offered at the end of each Dhupa. The prescribed time is about 10.00 A.M. in
the morning. This bhoga is known as Kotha Bhoga or Raja Bhoga. Previously, the
Raja (Superintendent of the Temple) used to bear the entire cost of materials
for preparation of this Bhoga. At present, the cost is shouldered by the Temple
Administration after the Temple was taken over by the Government. All the raw
materials like rice, wheat, ghee, sugar, fuel, kudua (earthen pot), vegetables
etc. required for the cooking of bhogas are supplied by the Temple
Administration. Three Pujapandas perform the Bhoga puja with Sodasa upacharas
which means that the puja has 16 aspects namely (1) Asana (seat of image), (2)
Swagata (welcome), (3) Padya (water for washing the feet), (4) Arghya (offering
of flower, chandana etc.), (5) Achamanya (water for sipping), (6) Madhuparka
(ghee, Madhu or honey, khira or milk, dahi or curd offered in silver or brass
vessel), (7) Achamaniya, (8) Snana (bathing), (9) Bastra (clothes), (10)
Avarana (jewels), (11) Gandha (scent and chandana), (12) Pushpa (flower), (13)
Dhupa (incense stick), (14) Dipa (lamp), (15) Naivedya (food) and (16) Vandana
(namaskara or prayer). This puja is performed in the garbhagriha. Three
Pujapandas worship three deities respectively. But the Pujapanda who worships
Jagannath also worships Sridevi, Bhudevi and Sudarsana. Nilamadhava is not
worshipped separately, as he is considered to be identical with Jagannath. It
is worth mentioning that there are seven images seated on the Ratnavedi. After
bhoga, the same is distributed as Khei (dues) among the sevakas of the day
including the Gajapati Maharaja. The following sevakas namely (1) Pujapanda,
(2) Suarabadu, (3) Paniapata, (4) Pradhani, (5) Pratihari, (6) Palia Mahasuara,
(7) Pantibadu, (8) Garabadu, (9) Rosha Paika, (10) Palia Patri, (11) Changada
Mekapa, (12) Muduli, (13) Chandana Ghatuari, (14) Palia Mekapa, (15) Palia
Khuntia, (16) Hadapa Naika, (17) Bidia Jogania, (18) Sudusuara, (19)
Gochhikara, (20) Dakshinighara Pratihari, (21) Ghantua, (22) Baijayantri, (23)
Dhukudidwara Pratihari, etc., are engaged in this niti. After Bhoga puja, alati
is offered to the deities. This is known as Sakala dhupa alati, which is
offered by the Pujapandas.
The food is simply called Prasad when it is offered to the deities. But
after certain nitis performed in the Bimala temple, this very Prasad becomes
Mahaprasad. The bhoga after being offered to the deities is re-offered to
goddess Bimala and then it becomes Mahaprasad (Maa+Prasad). Thus, Bimala temple
plays an important role in giving extraordinary religious and spiritual
sanctity to the food offered to the deities. In this regard, there is a
beautiful story. After the construction of the main Temple and before
installation of the deities in it Goddess Bimala was occupying this Temple
during that intervening period. When the deities arrived there, they had to
obtain permission from Bimala to enter into the Temple. She allowed the deities
to occupy the Ratnavedi on the condition that the bhoga of Jagannath after
being offered to them each time every day has to be re-offered to her. As per
the condition agreed upon, the Prasad of the deities is again offered to Bimala
in each session and then only the same Prasad becomes Mahaprasad. The glories
of Mahaprasad have been described in the Padma Purana and the Bhagavata Purana
. It is believed that instant liberation is achieved by taking Mahaprasad. So,
it is also called Kaibalya. It is worth mentioning that while eating of cooked
food is prohibited on sacred tithis (days) like Ekadasi (eleventh day of the
fortnight), Sankranti and during upabasa (religious fasting) etc, there is
absolutely no restriction in taking Mahaprasad on these occasions. Sakala dhupa
consists of Kanika (sweet rice), Khechudi, Dali, vegetable curries, saga (green
leaves), pitha (cakes) etc. Various preparations of black gram like Bada Kanti,
Sana Kanti, Mathapuli, Hamsapuli, Kakatua Jhili, Ada Pachedi, Saga, Khechudi,
Pithapuli, Bundia Khiri etc. are offered to the deities.
