Puri, Sept 7: The sacred Shambhu Ekadashi rituals will be observed at the Srimandir on Monday on the occasion of Bhadra Krishna Ekadashi. As part of the traditional Krishna Leela celebrations, special rituals including Kaliya Dalana and the ceremonial enactment of the Dhenukasura Vadha will also be performed.
On the occasion, Lord Jagannath will appear before devotees in the Kaliya Dalana Besha, depicting Lord Krishna dancing atop the seven-hooded Kaliya serpent. The serpent will be shown covering the divine body of the Lord, symbolising the traditional episode from Krishna’s childhood.
The Kaliya Dalana ritual will also be performed at the Markandeya Pushkarini, regarded as one of the ancient sacred water bodies of Puri. During the celebrations, the ceremonial proposal for the slaying of Dhenukasura will also be presented.
Residents of Kundheibenta Sahi will participate in the traditional enactment of the Lord’s divine pastimes. A troupe from the Pathara Akhada will take out a traditional procession depicting scenes from mythology. The procession will first visit Marchika Thakurani for darshan before proceeding through the locality.
Following the Sahi Parikrama, the procession will make its way to the Srimandir, where the participants will perform the prescribed rituals associated with the Krishna Leela celebrations.
