Mailama
and Bhoga Mandapa Bhoga:
The prescribed time is about 11.00 A.M. in the morning. After Sakala dhupa, the
deities change their clothes and again puja takes place in Bhoga Mandapa, a
place behind the Garuda stambha of the Nata mandira. Huge quantity of bhoga
such as rice, dal, curries, cakes of different kinds, saga etc. is offered to
the deities. Pujapandas perform Bhogapuja with Pancha upacharas only as
discussed earlier. The Temple Administration does not bear the cost of this
bhoga. Traditionally, this bhoga is offered in order to provide sufficient
Mahaprasad to different Mathas (monasteries), other institutions and private
individuals who eat Mahaprasad as their principal meal. In other words, the
Suaras (authorized cooks) of the Temple prepare sufficient quantities of food
in the Rosha ghara on commercial basis for pilgrims and others. It would not be
out of place to mention that one should be pure in mind and body while taking
Mahaprasad. No outside food is taken along with it. As a mark of utmost regards
to Mahaprasad it is taken by sitting on the floor. Care is also taken to see
that the water does not fall on the feet when hands are washed after eating
Mahaprasad. It is not an exaggeration to mention that Mahaprasad is free from
caste discrimination prevalent in orthodox Hindu society. Persons belonging to
all caste do partake Mahaprasad from the same plate without any caste
hesitation. The sevakas associated with this niti are (1) Pujapanda, (2)
Mahasuara, (3) Suara, (4) Changda Mekapa, (5) Palia Mekapa, (6) Palia
Pushpalaka, (7) Bhoga Mandapa Pratihari, (8) Suarabadu, (9) Khuntia, (10)
Patribadu etc. On most of the days Bhoga Mandapa puja is normally performed
once a day after Sakala dhupa. But on festive occasions, it is performed after
the Dwipahara dhupa/Madhyahna dhupa. On certain occasions, Bhoga mandapa puja
is also performed twice or thrice a day i.e. after Sakala dhupa, Madhyahna
dhupa and Sandhya dhupa to meet the high demand of pilgrims and as per the
necessity of Mahaprasad.
Madhyahna
Dhupa (mid-day meal):
The time is between 12.30 P.M. to 1.00 P.M. in the afternoon. Three Pujapanda
sevakas perform the Bhoga puja in the Pokharia (the space around the Ratnavedi
in the Garbhagriha) with Sodasa upacharas in the same manner as in the Sakala
dhupa. This time the bhoga items are more in number than that of Sakala dhupa.
The same categories of sevakas as in the Sakala dhupa are engaged in this niti.
As it has been noted earlier, Madhyahna alati is offered to the deities by the
Pujapanda sevakas after the Madhyahna dhupa.
Madhyahna
Pahuda :
After the Madhyahnna Dhupa, the deities enjoy a siesta, called Pahuda. It is
worth mentioning that if nitis have been performed in time and if time permits,
then only the deities retire for afternoon nap. Kalahatadwara / Kalaghatadwara,
Jaya Bijaya dwara and Beherana dwara / Dakshini dwara (south gate of the
porch/Mukhasala) remain closed. This niti is performed generally between 1.00
P.M. to 1.30 P.M. in the afternoon.
Sandhya
Alati (evening lamp offering):
After opening of the doors, the Sandhya alati is offered to the deities by the
Taluchha and Palia Pushpalaka sevakas. If there is no Madhyahna Pahuda, then
the Sandhya alati is offered after the Madhyahna dhupa and after the change of
clothes.
Sandhya
Dhupa (evening meal):
The time for this niti is between 7.00 P.M. to 8.00 P.M. in the evening. The
puja upacharas and manners i.e. Sodasa upacharas are similar to that of Sakala
dhupa. The items of this Dhupa are mostly Pakhala (watered rice), pitha (cake).
It includes varieties of puddings; confections and delicacies called Kanla
puli, Takua, Mathapuli, Bhogapitha, Gotali, Kakara, Amalu, Jhadeineda, Kadamba
and Subasa Pakhala. After this Bhoga puja, again alati called Sandhya dhupa
alati is performed by the Pujapanda sevakas. This alati is also known as Jaya
Mangala alati.
Sahanamela
(public darsan of the deities):
As per the provision sahanamela is arranged thereafter. Nowadays, Sandhya dhupa
very often takes place at a very late hour at night on account of the delayed
performance of nitis, and consequently sahanamela at that late hour is ignored.
As it has been mentioned above, this is free darsan when no body is required to
pay any fee for going into the Garbhagruha (sanctum). Excepting at the
scheduled time of sahanamela, no pilgrim is allowed to enter into the Bhitara
Pokharia or Garbhagriha without payment of proper Paramanika fees. Thus, the
pilgrims are offered an opportunity of sahanamela or sarbasadharana darsan of
deities in the evening hour also. If there is no sahanamela, then the
subsequent niti called Mailama follows.
Mailama
and Chandanalagi :
This time the deities change their clothes and anointed with chandana mixed
with camphor, kesara and kasturi. This niti is performed by the Pushpalaka
sevakas. Other sevakas needed at the time of this niti are Suarabadu, Ghatuari,
Muduli, Palia Mekapa, Palia Padhiari, Garabadu, Hadapa Naika and Palia Khuntia.
Badasinghara
Besa:
After chandanalagi, the deities are dressed up again which is known as
Badasinghara besa. This time they wear Baralagi pata (silken robes). Some
portion of the Gitagovinda of Jayadeva is woven into the texture of these
robes. The deities wear flower, flower garlands and floral headgear. This besa
is very attractive to look at. It is worth mentioning that Jagannath Ballabha
Matha supplies flower ornaments like Tilaka and Jhumpa for this besa of the
deities. Similarly, the Emar Matha supplies Chandrika and Chausara, made of
flowers for this besa of the deities.
Badasinghara
Dhupa:
This is the last bhoga of the day offered around 11.00 P.M. at night. For this,
bhoga puja is performed by the Pujapanda sevakas following the principle of
Pancha upacharas, sitting on the floor down the Ratnavedi. This time the
quantity of bhoga is much less and the items are Pakhala and Kanji, some fries
like Kadalibada and sweets like khiri. Thereafter, the Badasinghara Dhupa alati
is offered to the deities by the Pujapanda sevakas.
Khata
Sejalagi and Pahuda:
The time of this niti is around 12.00 at mid-night when the bedsteads of the
deities are arranged. The Pushpalaka sevakas carry the idols of Sayana Thakura
from Bhandara ghara to Ratnavedi and place the idols near Jagannath. This is a
metallic conjoined idol of Purusa (Vishnu) and Prakruti (Lakshmi). Then follows
offering of Paida (green coconaut), pana (betelnuts) and camphor alati to
deities. It would not be out of context to mention that Bada Chhata Matha
performs Kirtana at the time of Pahuda alati offered by the Pushpalaka sevakas.
Earlier, at the time of alati, the Bhitara gayani, a Temple Devadasi (lady
sevika) used to sing devotional songs from the Gitagovinda standing at the
Kalahata dwara. Presently, this seva has been discontinued after her death.
Thereafter, Sayana Thakura is taken to the Jaya Bijaya dwara where paida, pana,
pushpa and camphor alati are offered to Sayana Thakura. Thereafter, the idol is
taken to the bedstead of Jagannath and then to the Bhandaraghara. Thus, the
deities retire to their beds, after which follows sealing of locks on the
Kalahata dwara, Jaya Bijaya dwara and Dakshina/Beherana dwara. Taluchha
Mahapatra puts the seal. The Temple premises are vacated of sevakas and
visitors, which is called sodha. Only a few Temple police, officials and
sevakas keep watch at night.
In brief, this is the dainandina nitis (daily rituals) observed in the Temple.
It is usually not possible to follow the time prescribed for each niti because
of various practical difficulties. As per the tradition, unless a particular
niti is performed, the next one cannot take place. As a result of this,
punctuality fluctuates to ensure attendance of various categories of sevakas
required for a particular niti. Also, on specific festive days, additional
nitis are performed. Accordingly, changes in timings and alterations in the
routine nitis are made.
