THE RITUALS OF THE DEITIES - 1

Then follow the Surya Puja and the Dvarapala Puja, or the worship of the sun- god and the guardian deities, after which the Gopala Vallabha Bhoga is offered, Virginia Car accidents Lawyers. Next comes Sakala Dhupa, followed by Bhoga Mandapa Bhoga and the Madhyahna Dhupa, as mentioned earlier. The deities change dress at each meal time and after each meal betel nuts are offered. After the meals the deities enjoy a siesta, called Pahuda of the day-time. In the evening an Arati is performed to mark the beginning of the nocturnal functions. The next Niti is Sandhya Dhupa. Devotees are again offered an opportunity of Sahana Mela in the evening hours. Then the deities change their dress, wear special silken clothes, fresh flowers and ornaments, besmear sandal-wood paste and enjoy music and dance performed by specified Sevakas. This dress goes by the name Badasingara Vesa and the light food offered on this occasion is known as Badasingara Bhoga. Green coconuts are then offered and detailed arrangements are made for the sacred slumber of the deities (Pahuda), after which the light is put off and the door is closed and sealed.   

But many more Nitis are performed on special occasions, For example, the Ekadasi Nitis are observed when a sebak of the temple services scales to the top of the temple (about 200 feet high) after night fall and burns a lamp there amidst the loud cheers of thousands of spectators, Raid Data Recovery Services. On-every Thursday, goddess Laksml is washed, dressed and decorated carefully for a union with Visnu in the form of Jagannatha. On new-moon days the moving idols of Jagannatha visit the sea- god Varuna, said to be the father of Laksmi. 

This apart, some purifactory or consecratory rites are performed when either a dog enters into the temple premises or a dead body is discovered some where in the temple area. Spilling of blood, sputum, urine etc. call for the purificatory rites. Special Nitis are also performed on eclipse days too. 

The word 'Bhoga' (in Sanskrit and Oriya) means enjoyment. Thus, the materials enjoyed by the deities comprising of varieties of food offerings made to them, is known as Bhoga. This word is commonly used in Orissa in the context of offerings made to the deities in the temples. 

Bhogas in the Jagannatha temple are broadly of two kinds. The first consists of preparations of boiled rice, dal and vegetables, excluding- in particular, gourds, laties, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, garlics, cabbages and some others. The other variety of Bhoga consists of preparations of flour, ghee, candy, etc. Everyday and throughout the year, fifty-six varieties of dishes are prepared and offered to the deities. This apart, several other varieties of dishes are prepared and offered on the occasion of various festivals. Similarly, on specific occasions, special drinks are offered to the deities. These dishes and drinks have great significance from the climatic considerations and health-requirements of the people of Orissa.