Puri’s Jagannath Temple will begin special Malamasa rituals dedicated to Lord Shri Purushottam starting May 17. Devotees will worship Lord Narayan, revered as Shri Purushottam, throughout the holy month from Shukla Pratipada following Amavasya.
The month-long observance includes offerings of betel nut and coconut, sacred vows, and the Habisha ritual. Due to the presence of an extra lunar month this year, the Bhitar Chandan ritual will extend beyond its usual 21 days. Additionally, the deities’ Jalakreeda ritual is scheduled to be performed ten times during this period.
Priests Satyanarayan Pujapanda Samanta and Lakshminarayan Pujapanda Samanta will oversee the special pujas. Devotees observe Panchaka, the last five days of Malamasa, by offering 30 different types of flowers and fruits over the 30-day period. Specific offerings such as Deepa Dana on Ekadashi and Kheeri and Amalu on Trayodashi are also part of the rituals.
The Malamasa observance is rooted in the Vishnu Purana, which recounts how Lord Purushottam, in the form of Mahabaraha, rescued Mother Earth from the netherworld after she was taken by the demon king Hiranyaksha. During this month, auspicious ceremonies like yajna, homa, and abhisheka are traditionally avoided.
Further details about the rituals and related events are awaited.
This local update is prepared from publicly available information. Readers should verify critical details from official communication where necessary.