Biraja Temple, Jajpur – Poojas & Rituals

Biraja Temple, Jajpur – Poojas & Rituals

The morning Seva starts of this Temple at 4.00 am with Mukha Marjan (face wash), followed by Danta Kastha. Here the deity’s teeth are brushed with Bilwa stick. Then the deity is readied for the royal bath by applying Gandhamala, turmeric and sandal paste, sarbaushadhi and other scented oils. The deity is given Panchamruta Snan (liquid mixture of milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey) followed by Shudodhaka Snan using water from sacred Rivers like Ganga and the Baitrani. This is followed by Mantropachar wherein Purusasukta and Sri Sukta are recited to the goddess.

Mantropachar is followed by Dhoop, Deep and Naivedhya, after which the deity is open for dharshan to all her devotees (Sahan Mela). The morning Seva ends at 4.30 am. The midday Seva consists of Dhoop (burning of incense sticks) and Deep, (lighting of lamps). Sweetened rice and other items are offered as Naivedhya to the deity. This is followed by Arati (burning camphor), Pushpanjali (offering flowers and Bilwa leaves to Biraja), Arghya Samarpan (offering of water) and Mantra pushpa (recital of sacred mantras). The midday rituals comes at 1.00 pm

The afternoon Seva starts at 3.00 pm with mukha soudha (cleaning of the mouth). This is followed by offering curd mixed with sugar and then the deity is opened for darshan to all her devotees (Sahan Mela). In the evening Arati is performed followed by Pushpanjali (offering flowers to goddess). Then sweets are offered as Samanya Naivedhya. The night Seva starts at 10 pm with nitya (normal) upachar puja, and boiled rice, dal etc. is offered as Naivedhya. Arati, Pushpanjali and Arghya Samarpan are offered after which the day comes to an end. This is also called as night close (Ratri Pahuda).

Goddess Biraja is considered as the presiding Deity of Odisha. There are various rituals conducted by three categories of Brahmins namely Kar, Pani, Panigrahi throughout the day at the temple. The daily worship of Devi is done according to Tantra and Agama Shastras. Bana Durga mantra is recited to Goddess Biraja throughout the year except on Triveni Amavasya (New moon day of Magha masa). Goddess Biraja is worshipped with Gayatri Mantra on her Janmamohtsav.