Elaborate rituals have been lined up to celebrate the festival at the 12^th century shrine

As per scriptures, ‘Janmashtami’ is celebrated on Ashtami (18th day) of Krushna Paksha (dark fortnight) of Bhadrav month in Odia calendar as Lord Krishna was born on this day. Considered as a highly auspicious occasion, the priests and servitors of Jagannath temple have geared up for the celebration inside the temple at night tomorrow.

On the eve of Janmashtami, the deities will be attired in special ornaments after evening Alati today. Jay Bijay door would be closed after evening. As part of rituals, special ‘bhog’ will be offered to the Lords.

The main doors of the temple will be closed tomorrow evening to start the rituals. In the initial rituals, Sudusuar servitors will clean the area in front of Jay Bijay doors of the main temple and Pujapanda servitors will draw a ‘Mandal’ (motif) on the ground with five different natural colours and pictures of two massive door guards.

Then Pujapanda will put a stool made of ‘Sal’ or ‘Sriparna’ wood there and place a painting of lotus flower on it. The Pujapanda, Pati Mahapatra and Mudirasti servitors will perform puja by reciting ‘mantras’ (hymns) which will be followed by ‘Kalash Puja’. First, a picture of the birth of Lord Krishan drawn by Chitrakar servitors is placed on silver lotus and then idols of ‘Nabagarah’ are placed and worshipped. At this time, ‘Panti’ prasad is offered to the deities.

After getting ‘Angya Mala’ (permission), Mahajan servitors place an idol of Lord Krishna on the stool. The the Lord is worshipped inside the womb of His mother Devaki. It is followed by the birth of Krishna which is performed with puja amid chanting of ‘Shlokas’.