Puri: Mutts play a very crucial role during Rath Yatra, with several customs and rituals of the annual festival of Lord Jagannath and siblings depending on them.
The different mutts in Puri district are connected with Srimandir for various services of the sibling deities. Starting from the Bhog to the attires for Gajanan Besa and Padma Besa, Masal, making of Padaka, Jambura and Trimundi Chandua are prepared by the mutts.
Some of them provide services and supply other necessary items to the 12th-century shrine during Rath Yatra and Bahuda Yatra. These include:
Raghav Das Mutt
Before Rath Yatra, this mutt supplies Kanaka Mundi and Prava made of wood to the Srimandir Anasara Pindi. It also provides Bhog and sesame oil for the Anasara rituals. On Ekadasi, seven kilograms of sandalwood is supplied by the mutt and it serves Bhog also. The mutt also provides clothes, Tahiya, flowers, Bije Tuli, etc during Rath Yatra.
Gobardhan Mutt
On the day of Rath Yatra, Gobardhan Mutt provides Panti Bhog, which is offered to the deities during Pahandi Bije. Likewise, Panti Bhoga is also offered in Gundicha Temple and also on the occasion of Bahuda Pahandi.
As per tradition, the mutt’s Peethadhisa Jagadguru Sankaracharya has to have the darshan of the deities on the chariot.
Gopala Tirtha Mutt
On the day of Shri Gundicha, Khichdi Bhog prepared in this mutt is offered to the deities. It also provides Puri, Sola and Mahana Bhoga on the occasion of Sunavesha.
Jatia Babaji Mutt
Every year, the Puri temple office sends a letter to Shri Bijayakrushna Mutt president in Benaras to give four Bije Dories for the Pahandi Niti rituals of deities. It provides two Bije Dories through Jatia Babaji Mutt in Puri before the nine-day festival begins.
Bada Odia Mutt
Like Raghaba Das Mutt, Bada Odia Mutt is also directly involved in the Rath Yatra rituals. During Anasara, this mutt provides Bhog and sesame oil for Phuluri lagi.
Specifically on ‘Netra Utsav’, it plays a crucial role. The mutt also provides all the necessary items for Adharapana.
