Biraja Temple, Jajpur – Festivals

Biraja Temple, Jajpur – Festivals

Triveni Amavasya:

Triveni Amavasya or the birth day ceremony of goddess Biraja is one of the most important festivals observed in temple. The day comes in the month of Magha (January-February) on the new – moon day. On account of her birthday she is decorated as Goddess Savitri, the consort of Brahma (the creator) with golden ornaments. She is exclusively attired in yellow and worshipped with Gayatri mantra prescribed in the Brahma-Tantra.

Dola Purnima:

Dola Purnima is observed on the full-moon day of the month of falguna (February-march) On this occasion, the representative deity is taken in a Vimana (chariot) to Dolavedi (pedestal)in the temple premises in the evening after certain rituals. After the required rites of worship, the Goddess is sprinkled with the sacred red powder. Then the astrologer of the Temple opens and recites the new almanac for the year. People gather in large numbers to see the chaceri of Dola yatra and listen to the prescriptions of the new almanac read out.

Varuni Festival:

Varuni, an auspicious day comes in the month of Chaitra (March-April) that attracts pilgrims from all over India for sacred ablution in the Vaitarani Satabhisha, the 24^th asterism of the constellation is otherwise known as Varuna. If the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight of Chaitra is conjoined with Varuna, the day becomes sacred for a bath in the holy river. So, the day is called as Varuni. On this occasion, Goddess Biraja is bathed with the holy water of the Vaitarani and a special worship is performed. Hindu Vaishnavite pilgrims come from nook and corner of India and abroad to take a holy dip in the river Vaitarani near Dasaswamedh Ghat and offer pindas to their ancestors there and Nabhigaya. They have a holy darshan of Goddess Biraja.

Mahavisuva Sankranti:

On the first day of the solar month of Vaisakha (April-May) Mahavisuva Sankranti or Pana Sankranti is observed in the Biraja Temple. The deity is magnificently dressed, which is called Bada Simhara Vesa and special puja is performed. Prapanaka or a special kind of drink is offered and new almanac or panjika is once again inaugurated in the temple.

Chandana Purnima:

On the Chandana Purnima day in the month of May-June, the face of the deity of Goddess Biraja is smeared with sandal paste. So, the day is very significant for the pilgrims. The Chandana Vesa of the Goddess attracts people form far and near to have a darshan of the mother Biraja.

Savitri Amavasya:

Savitri Amavasya is exclusively celebrated on the new-moon day of the month of Jyestha (May-June). On this occasion there is a great rush in the temple premises specially married women come over here to worship Goddess Biraja for their unbroken conjugal happiness. As Goddess Biraja is regarded as Savitri, they pray her for long-life of their husbands. They come with new-clothes and after worship break their fast taking different kinds of fruits.

Chitalagi Amavasya:

Chitalagi Amavasya is a special occasion celebrated in the month of Sravana (July-August). On this day the chita (a gold ornament for the fore head) is put on the fore head of Goddess Biraja after the due rituals chita (a special and aromatic cake) is offered to the Goddess.

Gamha Purnima:

Gamha Purnima is otherwise known as Raksi Purnima that comes on the full moon day of Sravana (July-August). On this occasion special puja is held of the Goddess and she puts on Gold and silk band named Raksi on her left hand.

Sunia:

Sunia marks the beginning of the Anka year of the Gajapati Kings of Puri and it also marks the beginning of the Durga Puja festival in the Biraja temple. Goddess Biraja has been identified with Mahishamardini, so she is worshipped as Durga at the time of Sunia, is observed on the 12th day of the bright fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada (September), on this festive day after the traditional rituals the worship of lord Ganesa and Goddess Sarasvati is performed and the cutting of Gold (Svaranachedani) is held. Mangalarpana (chanting of auspicious songs) work is performed before the Goddess. On this occasion the Vanayaga ceremony or Vilwa-Varana (worship of Vilwa tree) is observed for the construction of Simhadhvaja Ratha (chariot) that carries the deity during autumnal festivals. The construction of the said Ratha (chariot) starts form the day of Sunia.

Durga Puja:

Durga Pooja is the most important festival at Biraja Temple. This festival continues for a period of sixteen days starting from the 8^th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Asvina (September - October) and ending on the Mahanavami (9^th day of the bright fortnight) day with much pomp and ceremony. Vedic and Tantric methods of worship are adopted for the great worship during the days of Mulastami (8^th day of the dark fortnight) Panchami, Mahastami, Mahanavami and Dasara (the 5^th, 8^th, 9^th and 10^th days of bright fortnight) the temple is overcrowded by the devotees. This festival attracts pilgrims from all over Odisha and abroad.

Rathayatra:

Rathayatra or the car festival of Goddess Biraja is the most important festival of Jajpur. During Durga puja it is celebrated for nine days form the first day of the bright fortnight (Pratipada) of the month of Asvina (September-October), the wooden chariot of Goddess Biraja is placed in front of the lion’s gate. After the traditional morning rituals, the consecration work of the chariot named Simhadhvaja is held on the Pratistha Mandapa (an altar for consecration) after the yajna or sacrificial work is over, the representative deity of Goddess Biraja is ushered into the massive decorated chariot parked in front of the lion’s Gate in a special ceremonial procession arranged by the temple administration. The Ratha moves around the temple compound once a day for nine days continually. It is believed that one who perceives the Goddess on the Ratha is liberated from all sorts of sins.

Lakhavindha:

The Lakhavindha (shooting of arrows) ceremony is held at the midnight of the Mahanavami day. The representative Goddess of the great mother Biraja descends from the chariot after nine days car festival and sets out towards Lakhavindha ground (a specific place at the outskirts of the temple premises) in a Vimana specially made for the purpose in a ceremonial procession. The Goddess is worshipped there as Mahamari. A Goddess named Laksesvari or Dakesvari near the ground is offered with a delicious and aromatic drink. After Puja rituals the priests throw arrows to four directions near a high pedestal. After this archery work the representative Goddess is brought back to the temple in a dark and soundless atmosphere. After a long period of nine days the Goddess is placed on the pedestal and the ceremony is declared over.

Kumara Purnima:

Kumara Purnima festival is observed on the full moon day of Asvina (September-October). On this festival occasion the deity decorated with golden ornaments like a virgin. Cowry-play (Aksa) is held between the virgin Goddess and the chief priest. Khai or parched paddy is scattered on the entire ground in the temple premises special worship is held for the Goddess and it attracts large number of devotees in the evening.

Deepavali:

On the eve of Kali puja in the month of November, Deepavali is celebrated with the lighting of several lamps. Special Tantric rituals are held near the Parsva Devata Ekapada Bhairava and Chamunda on the western side of the temple.

Prathamastami:

It is a tradition in Odisha that or the day of Prathamastami in November, the eldest sons and daughters wear new clothes and takes a special and delicious cake with turmeric aroma named Enduri. Similarly, Goddess Biraja is dressed in new clothes after due rituals and offered Enduri (Steam boiled cake with the cover of turmeric leaf and prepared with rice paste, coconut, crystallized sugar or molasses, Ginger, cheese and camphor).

Dhanu Sankranti:

This is beginning of the month of Pausa (December-January) when people enjoy sweetened balls of parched and husked paddy for health. The same tradition is observed near Goddess Biraja with special worship and offering of sweetened balls of parched and husked paddy.

Vakula Amavasya:

On the new moon day of Pausa (Dec-Jan), Vakula Amavasya is celebrated in the Biraja temple. The goddess is offered with a special kind of cake named Gaintha mixed with milk, sugar and mango inflorescence after the puja rites are held.