The Pushyabhishek ceremony of theGajapati Maharaja of Puri, Dibyasingha Deb, will be held on Monday at the Srinar, strictly in accordance with centuries-old rituals and customs. The annual ceremony carries immense religious and cultural significance and is deeply associated with the traditions of theShree Jagannath Temple.
As part of the ritual, the Gajapati Maharaja will ceremonially ascend the throne and undergo the sacred anointment. The Pushyabhishek is observed every year on Pausha Purnima and is intrinsically linked to the Debabhisheka rituals ofLord Jagannathat the Srimandir.
According to tradition, the Pushyabhishek ceremony at the Srinar is conducted only after the completion of the Debabhisheka of Lord Jagannath at the Srimandir on Pausha Purnima. Following this, the Rajabhisheka of the Gajapati Maharaja is performed. A formal ceremonial invitation is extended to the Maharaja, during which prayers are offered for the peace and prosperity of Odisha.
Sohala Sasana Brahmin priests assemble at the Srinar to offer blessings to the Gajapati Maharaja as part of the sacred proceedings. Explaining the significance of the ritual timing, Pandit Soumya Panda noted that the Rajabhisheka can only be performed when the Pushya Nakshatra aligns, which is believed to bring prosperity and good fortune to the land.
He further added that after the completion of all rituals, the Brahmins bless the Gajapati Maharaja, who traditionally considers himself a humble servitor of Lord Jagannath.
The Rajabhisheka ceremony draws inspiration from ancient coronation traditions, particularly those associated with Lord Sri Rama Chandra. It underscores the Gajapati Maharaja’s revered role as the foremost servitor of Lord Jagannath and reflects the continued observance of ritual practices deeply embedded in Jagannath culture.
The event is conducted with strict adherence to religious norms, preserving the sanctity and continuity of the centuries-old traditions associated with the Srimandir and the royal house ofPuri.
