Puri: On the occasion of Makar Sankranti on Friday, special ‘Makara’ rituals were performed at Jagannath temple in Odisha’s Puri.
On this auspicious day, after opening of the temple, ‘Mangala Arati’ and ‘Abakash’ rituals (morning brushing of teeth and bathing of deities) were performed.
Then the sibling deities were dressed in ‘Makara-chula (headgear) Besha’. Following these rituals, ‘Gopalaballabha’ and ‘Sakala Dhupa’ were offered to the deities. Then the deities were attired in ornaments as part of the ‘Makar Chaurasi Besha’.
Notably, as per astrology, ‘Uttarayana Gati’ (north movement) of ‘Surya’ (Sun) will start from Friday.
For ‘Makar Besha’, the Jagannath Ballava Math provided garlands of colourful flowers and basil leaves to the Jagannath temple.
Alamchandi temple, located at Kumbharpada here, provided five ‘Makara Tadas’ to the temple on Thursday night for the special ‘Makara Chaula’ prasad for deities.
‘Makara Chaula’ is a special prasad for Makar Sankranti. It is prepared in every temple and Odia household. The rice used is preferably from fresh harvest. There are slight variations in the ingredients depending on the regions where it is prepared.
In Odisha, people prepare ‘Makara Chaula’ with uncooked newly harvested rice, banana, coconut, jaggery, sesame, rasagola, khai/liaa and chhena puddings for ‘naivedya’ (offering) to gods and goddesses.
Odia families used to distribute ‘Makara Chaula’ among friends and relatives.
Meanwhile, due to COVID restrictions, the temple is closed for devotees.
“We are sad that on this auspicious day, we could not get ‘darshan’ of Lord Jagannath. Though we stay in Puri, we did not get that opportunity. We pray to Lord Jagannath to save all from this pandemic,” said Supriti Mishra, a devotee.
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