Puri, May 15: Special rituals of Lord Shri Purushottam will commence at the Jagannath Temple from May 17 on the occasion of Malamasa. Devotees will worship Lord Narayan, enshrined inside the temple premises, as Shri Purushottam from Shukla Pratipada following Amavasya till the end of the holy month.
As part of the rituals, devotees will offer betel nut and coconut, make sacred vows, and observe the month-long Habisha ritual. Owing to the extra lunar month, the Bhitar Chandan ritual at the Srimandir will continue for an additional month instead of the customary 21 days. This year, the deities’ Jalakreeda ritual will also be performed 10 times.
Priests Satyanarayan Pujapanda Samanta and Lakshminarayan Pujapanda Samanta are conducting the special puja rituals. According to the priests, devotees observe Panchaka during the last five days of Malamasa. During the 30-day observance, 30 varieties of flowers and fruits are offered to the deity. Deepa Dana is performed on Ekadashi, while Kheeri and Amalu are offered as bhog on Trayodashi.
According to the Vishnu Purana, demon king Hiranyaksha had dragged Mother Earth into the netherworld, following which she prayed to Shri Purushottam for protection. Lord Purushottam then assumed the form of Mahabaraha and rescued her.
Religious texts also state that auspicious activities such as yajna, consecration ceremonies, homa, donations, vows, and abhisheka are generally avoided during Malamasa.
