Author: OdiaWeb Editor

The Pattachitra, one of the most fascinating art form of Odisha has a tradition that goes back to 12th century. The term patta chitra has its origin from the Sanskrit. Patta means vastra or cloth and chitra means paintings. So patta chitra means paintings on cloth. The use of cloth for painting has been in vogue in India from early period. Just like the Kalighat Paintings are linked to Goddess Kali and Pichwai Paintings are linked to Lord Srinath (Nathdwara, Rajasthan), the Patta Chitra paintings are centred around the cult of Shree Jagannath. This art is considered to be as old…

Read More

During the Rath Yatra, after the deities are brought from the sanctum of the Temple to the three Rathas, various rituals are performed. Among these rituals, one of the most important is Chhera Pahanra – Brooming of the Rathas by the Gajapati Maharaj of Puri. He cleans the platforms with a golden broom, sprinkling flowers and fragrant water on the surface of the chariots. It is said, that the no force can move the chariots an inch, if the King does not broom it. The King symbolizes power, wealth, honour, influence; he is held in high esteem by the multitude.…

Read More

Salabega lived in the first half of the seventeenth century. He was born c1607-1608. He was the son of the Mughal subedar Lalbeg who was briefly in charge of Orissa at Cuttack in the early 17th century. On one of his expeditions to Puri, he was overcome with passion looking at the beauty of a Brahmin widow returning from her bath at Dandamukundapur and forcibly abducted her. Salabega was later born to this widow. It is believed that the poet suffered from some incurable ailment and through prayer to Lord Jagannatha, as advised by his mother, he was miraculously cured.…

Read More

Chandan Yatra Starts from today (Akshaya Tritiya). This auspicious day also marks the beginning of the construction of the Rathas (Chariots of Maha Prabhu). Chandan Yatra meaning Sandalwood Voyage in Sanskrit, which continues for 42 days is observed in two parts: Bahara Chandana and Bhitara Chandana. Bahara Chandana starts from Akshaya Tritiya and continues for 21 days. Bahara Chandan Yatra is performed at the Narendra Tirtha Tank. In this Yatra, the deities are taken out of the temples in procession for a holy patrol in water on boats, as it is believed that all the land ceremonies must be ended only…

Read More

KadAchit kALindI taTa bipina sangIta-karabo MudAbhIrI nArI badana-kamaLa swAda-madhupa RamA, sambhurbrahmA surapati ganeshArchita pado Jagannathah swAmi nayana-pathagAmI bhabatume |1| Bhuje sabye beNum shirasi shikhipuchham kaTi taTe DukuLam netrAnte sahachara kaTAkhyam bidadhate SadA shrImad brundabana basati liLA parichayo Jagannathah swAmi nayana-pathagAmI bhabatume |2| Mahodadhi tire kanakaruchire nILashikhre Basan prAsAdAnte sahaja baLabhadreNa baLinAm SubhadrA madhyansta sakaLa surasebA basarado Jagannathah swAmi nayana-pathagAmI bhabatume |3| KrupA pArAbAra saJaLa jaLadoushreNI ruchiro RamAbANi rAma sphuradmaLa padmekhYaNa mukhah Surendrei-rArAdhyah shrutigaNa shikhA gIta charito Jagannathah swAmi nayana-pathagAmI bhabatume |4| RathA ruDho gachhan pathi miLita bhudeba paTalei stuti prAdurbhAbam pratipade mupA-karnya sadayah dayA sindhur bandhu sakaLa jagatam sindhu sutAyA…

Read More

Anasara of Lord Jagannath is a ceremony where the three deities are kept away from the public sight. The period of illness is marked when the deities are placed on the floor in front of the inner sanctum. This period is known as ‘Anasara’ or ‘Anavasara’ period initiates from Jyestha Purnima and ends with Ashadha Amavasya. During these days, the Gods stay away from the public view and there is a need for substitute deities for the public and to whom daily rituals can be offered at temple, so during this time three patta paintings of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra…

Read More

The first niti begins in the early morning with the opening of the doors of the temple. The Bhitarchu Mahapatra, a temple servitor, accompanied by palia Mekap, Pratihari, Akhanda Mekap and Muduli examines the seal put on the main door (Jaya Vijaya Dwara) by the Talicha Mahapatra on the previous night. If the seal is intact, he breaks it, unlocks the padlock and opens the door. In the same way the door of the inner sanctuary is also opened. The object of this inspection is to see that these has been no defilement of the sacred buildings in which case…

Read More

Debasnana Purnima or Snana Yatra is exclusively a festival of Lord Jagannath and is said to be one of the oldest. According to Skanda Purana when Raja Indradyumna installed the wooden deities he arranged this bathing ceremony. This day is considered to be the birth-day of Lord Jagannath. Held in the full-moon day of the month of Jyestha this festival is also simultaneously held in all other imprortant shrines of Odisha. However, the festival being most elaborate and important at Puri, it attracts thousands of visitors and piligrims from all over the country. ‘Niladri Mohadaya’, a religious text written in…

Read More

Jagannath Temple in Puri is on of the most revered pilgrimage destination in India as it is one of the dhams (abodes) of the divine in India present in the four cardinal directions. The temple architecture has been restored to its full glory so that you can appreciate the influence that the 241 m high spire of the temple has on the state of Odisha. Inside is housed the deity of Lord Jagannath flanked by his sister Subhadra and brother Balrama. Shopping for souvenirs from the markets surrounding the walled temple complex; eating the blessed food in the temple courtyard…

Read More