Daily Rituals of Lord Jagannath, Puri, Odisha, India

Herewith we have presented the routine ritual of Lord Jagannath at Puri, Odisha, India on the normal days. But, the routine is different on the festive days.

One can have ‘‘Darshan’’ of the Lords at the “Ratna Singhasana” free of cost during the ‘Shahanamela’ at certain times of the day. This is the place to get a glimpse of the God from the closest distance.  Devotees also can avail paid ‘Darshan’, called “Parimanik Darshana” at certain other times. At present the amount of the paid fees is Rs. 25 per one person. At other times the pilgrims can have their ‘Darshan’ from a little distance that is in “Jagamohan” and “Vitarakatha”.

The Daily Rituals on Normal Days:

Dwarphita & Mangal Alati” At 5 A.M. (Opening Of the Door and Morning Prayer)

Early in the morning at 5 A.M. ‘Singhadwara’, the main gate of the temple opens and sacrosanct lamps are offered to the deities. This ritual is called ‘Mangal Alati’.

 “Mailam” At 6 A.M.

The next ritual is “Mailam”.  This ritual includes alteration of the dresses and flowers of the Lords that was worn on the previous night. This outfit of the God consists of two dresses, “Tadapa”and “Uttariya”.

 “Abakash” – 6 A.M. To 6.30 A.M.

“Abakash” is the rites like brushing of teeth and making the God to bath. During the ritual the Temple Jyotisha (Astrologer) reads out the tithi and other astrological details of the day and the rituals are performed accordingly.

 “Mailam” At 6.45 A.M.

Now the deities change their clothes (Tadap & Uttariya) and wear another set of clothes. A sevak known as “Akhanda Mekap” keeps in the ‘Akhanda Baitha’, the lamp not to be gone out till ‘Pahada’, the sleeping time of the Lords late at night.   

“Sahanamela” – 7a.m. to 8 a.m.

This one hour is the time when the pilgrims can enter up to the ‘Gambhiraa’ the innermost chamber near the Ratnavedi where the deities are present. This ‘‘Darshan’’ is allowed without any fees. However, on certain festive days, ‘Sahanamela’ is held after “Sandhya dhupa” (Evening Puja or Sandhya Alati) in the month of ‘Kartika’ and after ‘Sakaladhupa’, the morning offering in the month of ‘Pausha’. On certain special days this ‘‘Darshan’’ is not allowed for some special rituals of the deities.

“Beshalagi” At 8 A.M.

After Sahanamela the deities are further adorned with gold and precious gemstones as per the occasion. This attire can be witnessed from ‘Bhitara Katha’. 


Rosha Homa, Surya Puja, and Dwarapal Puja- 8 A.M. To 8.30 A.M.

While some sevayats are busy with vesha lagi of the Deities, Pujapandas at that time perform ‘Rosha Homa’ (Fire Sacrifice) at the kitchen and ‘Surya puja’ at the Sun temple near ‘Mukti Mandap’. It is followed by the worship of the two gate keepers of the God, named Jaya and Vijay.

Gopala Ballava Puja at 9 A.M. (Breakfast of the God)

‘Gopala Ballava Puja’, the breakfast of the deities is offered at about 9 A.M. This ‘‘Bhoga’’ includes sweet popcorn (Khai), Khualadus, Coconuts sweets (Kora), ripe banana, Curd and chipped coconuts etc. Puja is performed in a concise manner with ‘Pancha upachar” (five elements).

 Sakala Dhupa (Morning Food Offering) 10 A.M.

At this time puja is performed by three Pujapandas with 16 Upachars or Sodasha Upachars. Three Pujapandas used to sit on Ratnasinhasana to worship three deities Shri Balabhadra, Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath. The Pujapanda who worships Lord Jagannath also worships Sri Devi, BhuDevi, and 'SuDarshan’. The morning ‘Bhoga’ or food offered to the deities contains Anna (Rice), Kanika, Khechudi, Green leaves, Cakes etc... The prescribed names of the offerings are Pitha Puli, Hansakeli, Kanti, Enduri, Matha Puli, Kakatua Jhili, Bundia, Kadali Bhaja, Ada Pachedi etc.

Mailam & ‘Bhoga’ Mandap at 11 A.M.

After Morning Dhupa or Puja the Deities changed their Clothes” and again Puja takes places in “‘Bhoga’ Mandap “, a place behind the Garuda pillar of Jagamohan. Huge quantity of ‘Bhoga’s such as Rice, Dal, Curries, Saga and Cakes of different kind etc.are offered to the Deities. Pujapandas worship this bhog with Pancha Upachars. The cost of ‘Bhoga’ Mandap offerings are not borne by the state or Temple Administration. This ‘Bhoga’ is mainly prepared to meet the need of different Mathas (Monasteries) and for sale to the general public. According to the demand, ‘Bhoga’mandap Puja is made twice or thrice a day i.e. after” Madhyanha Dhoop” and “Sandhya Dhup” also.

 Madhyanha Dhupa (Afternoon Food Offering) 11a.M. To 1 P.M.

Like ‘Sakala Dhupa’, this puja is also performed with Sodasa Upachar in the afternoon. The ‘Bhoga’ items are more in number than that of Morning Dhupa. One can go near to the ‘Ratna Singhasan’ for ‘Darshan’ by paying special ‘Darshan’ fee @ Rs 25 /- after Madhynha Dhupa & Sakala Dhupa.

Madhyanha Pahudha 1 P.M. To 1.30 P.M.

If rituals have been performed in time and if time permits, the Deities retire for the afternoon.


Sandhya Alati

In the evening again sacred lamps are offered to the deities after Madhyana Dhupa Mailam. On Ekadasi day, the deities change their clothes and wear another set after “Alati” is over.

Sandhya Dhupa – 7 P.M. To 8 P.M.

After “Sandhya Alati” again ‘Bhoga’s are offered to the deities in the same manner like Sakala and Madhyan Dhupa but this time ‘Bhoga’ amount is less in quantity and number. After Puja again lamp offering is made which is called as “Jaya Mangala Alati”.

Mailam and Chandana Lagi

After “Sandhya Dhoopa” deities change their clothes and are anointed with Sandal paste mixed with camphor, keshar and Musk (Kasturi). One can witness this ritual by paying special Darsan fees.

Badasinghar Besha

After Chandan lagi, deities are dressed with Baralagi Patta (silken robes on which some portions of Geeta Govinda of Jayadev are woven in to the texture of these robes) and flower ornaments.

Badasinghara ‘Bhoga’

This is the last ‘Bhoga’ of the day. Puja is offered With Pancha Upachar by the Puja Pandas with Pakhal (watered rice), Kadali bada, Kshiri, Kanji etc.

Khata Seja Lagi and Pahada at 12.00 in the Night

The beds of the deities are arranged. The Deity of “Sayan Thakura” is carried from the ‘Bhandarghar’ and is placed on the Ratnavedi or Ratnasinghashana near Lord Jagannath. The ritual is followed by offering of green cocoanut, betels and camphor alati and then deities retire to their beds.

Now all rituals are over. The ‘Talichha Mohapatra’ closes the main door, seals it and the temple is closed.