Rituals in the morning of the Car Festival
Soon after the arati (greeting the deities with lamp and incense) and avakasa (brushing of teeth and bath of the deities etc.) the three deities are specially dressed with Senapata. Homa is performed in the Temple Kitchen. Specific Puja is conducted in honour of the Sun'god and Dvarapalas (subsidiary gods at the entrance). After that water is sprinkled in the sanctum for consecration. The Dvara Palia Padhihari fixes the tera ( a temporary cloth barricade). The Suarabadu arranges platters inside. Palia Padhihari goes to the kitchen to make an announcement for the morning dhupa (food offering). 12 pots of khecedi (special cooked rice), cakes and takua are offered as special food to the deities,. Offering is made as per sixteen upacaras. After the offering of food, the Suarabadu sprinkles water on the dining space. Then the Suddha Suara makes arrange¬ment for the mahgalarpana. He brings 18 patrasaja in 3 badas. Panda, Patimahapatra and Mudirasta conduct the mahgalarpana ritual in honour of the deities. Then the Mudirasta conducts other rituals, i.e. dora lagi, puspanjali and tuli (Raghava Das Math supplies 9 tulis). Then the Daitapati hands over mailam to the Cangada Mekap.Palia Khuntia shouts Manima Manima (Oh Lord). The Daitapatis unfasten the deities. Then starts the famous Pahandi (continuous process of lifting, hugging and placing the deities at shorter distances).This is called the dhadi pahandi (moving one aftter the other).
The pahandi commences in accompaniment with the sound of ghanta (gong), Kahali (trumpet) and Telengi Baja" (South Indian drums). The umbrella bearers unfurl the umbrellas. Sudarsana Cakra leads the way. When it reaches the Seven Stairs (near the northern exit). Balabhadra descends from the Sirmhasana. Similarly when he reaches the Seven Stairs, Subhadra's pahandi starts and so is Sri Jagannath's. At the Seven Stairs the three deities are decorated with tahiya presented by Raghava Das Math. In obedience to the fixed protocol the deities are brought along the Anand Bazar to the Lion's Gate to mount their respective chariots. Sudarsana shares the chariot with Subhadra. During the pahandi journey the deities are not desecrated even when touched by the enthusiastic crowd. When they are installed in their respective cars, the Cangada Mekap places Caka apasara (circular cushions) on their back for the three deities. Then they are secured on their seats. After this, the Madanmohan and Ramakrishna images are brought in a palanquin by Vimana Badus, the Mahajanas carry Rama and Krisna and place them in the chariot of Balabhadra. Madanmohan is kept in Jagannath's Nandighosa. The Kotha suamsias bring two big chests containing the daily and ceremonial robes, dresses and ornaments of the deities that they would use for the coming nine days and place the chests behind Jagannath in his chariot. Then they keep the dresses and ornaments separately along with necessary Puja ingredients, plates, pitchers and other accessories in two other chariots. After this, the Lenka and Paika servitors ceremonially proceed to smith's residence for obtaining Cita (special head ornament). Citas are made of sola studded with gold and gems. Now the three deities appear splendid,gorgeously adorned with floral wreaths and garlands. The next ex-citing event is chera pamhara.
CHERA PAMHARA
The chera pamhara ceremony is conducted with the following servitors.
1. Puri Raja (the foremost servitor),
2. Dayana Mali (supplier of fragrant dayanaflowers and tulsi leaves)
3. Bhandara Mekap (Custodian of all the jewellery required for
the daily use of the deities and also of the golden broomstick)
4. Ghatuari (Supplier of amla, sandal paste, camphor, betel-nut and 10 types of incense etc.)
5. Rajaguru (royal priest)
6. Garabadu (servitor carrying water pitcher on specific occasions)
7. Citrakara (painter)
8. Parva Jatra Jogania (supplier on festive occasions)
9. Patribadu (Person in charge of arranging food materials offered to the deities over artistic powdered designs)
10. Talicha Mahapatra (He seals the doors at night, checks up the purity of the kitchen and provides tera on the chariots)
11. Pasupalaka (body decorator of the deities)
12. Pamharawala (sweeper)
13. Bhois (The persons to operate breaks on the chariot and control the ropes)
14. Daitapati (servitor specially kept in charge of the deities during the car festival)
15. Pujapanda.
16. Mudirasta.
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