Servitors of Jagannathji - An Article

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Servitors of Lord Jagannath

 

BY: SUN STAFF

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mar 5, CANADA (SUN) — At the Jagannatha Temple in Puri, a tremendous

number of devotees are given the opportunity to serve Their

Lordships each day. Those who are entrusted in the seva-puja (daily

ritual) of the Deities are known as sevayats, or sevakas. Most of

these servitors hold hereditary rights to perform their particular

service, which has been honed to a fine science by years of practice

and excellence.

 

 

During the 13th century A.D., King Anangabhima Deva introduced the

Chatisanijoga, which provided for the service of 36 nijogas who

performed 36 primary types of service in the Jagannath Temple. Prior

to this there were only nine Sevakas. Later historical artifacts,

like the reports of the Collector of Puri, Mr. Grome, who engaged

the servitors during British rule in 1805, list as many as 250

categories of temple functionaries.

 

 

Today the Gajapati (the King of Puri) holds the honour of being the

first and foremost Servitor of the Temple. During the annual Ratha

Yatra he can be seen sweeping, with great devotion, before the three

chariots with a golden broomstick. At other times of the year he

performs a number of duties on various religious occasions.

 

 

In the past, the Raj Gurus were entrusted with managing the

functions of the parichha (sevayat administration). At present the

Temple is being managed by a Managing Committee, and the King of

Puri, Gajapati Maharaj, serves as the Committee's ex-officio

Chairman. An Administrator is also appointed by the State Government

of Orissa, and he oversees the day-to-day affairs of the Temple. The

parichhas have a wide range of duties to perform under watch of the

temple administrators.

 

 

At the present time, Patjoshi Mohapatra is the head of all

Servitors. He ensures that the other sevaks perform their duties

properly and that temple rituals are correctly observed. Bhitara-

Chhu Mohapatra looks after the sanctity of the bhoga being offered

to the Deities, and he is also responsible for the cleanliness of

the temple premises. Taluchha Mohapatra is responsible for the

cleanliness of the kitchens. In the King's absence, his

representative Mudirath performs duties on his behalf.

 

 

Vedic mantras are chanted and japa is performed by the temple

Purohit. Pujas are performed by the Pujapandas and the Puspalaks

dress and ornament the Deities. Various guards, or Khuntias, protect

the Deities' body while the Makaps keep watch on various

paraphernalia and stored articles. The Prathiharis stand guard over

various strategic points in the temple complex.

 

 

In the kitchens, the Suars take charge of cooking the Deity

offerings. The Karans oversee the temple accounts, including cash

expenditures and inventories. The Bhitara Gaini seva is performed by

a host of Debadasis who sing songs before the deities.

 

 

The Daitas perform many hereditary duties during Snana Purnima and

Ratha Yatra, and play an important role during the Nabakalebar

rituals, when the wooden Bodies of the Deities are refreshed. The

Daitas are decedents of the Sabara chieftain, Biswabasu, who is said

to have worshipped Sri Jagannatha before the Lord came to reside in

the temple.

 

 

While there are nearly 120 different categories of Sevakas, on

average about 75 servitors perform services on a daily basis. These

individuals do not receive a monthly salary, but they are entitled

to get a portion of bhoga offered by the temple administration each

day. This is known as khei. In recent days, there has been some

dispute between the sevakas and temple authorities about whether or

not the proper amount of bhoga is getting to the priests. Many

sevakas are paid daily stipends in the form of cash, and there is a

provision for special cash bonuses over and above the daily cash

rewards during Ratha Yatra and special events.

 

 

The Record of Rights of Sri Jagannath Temple, which is part of the

1952 Sri Jagannath Temple Act, provides a list of 150 categories of

Sevakas and the duties and privileges they enjoy, as follows:

 

 

1. Gajapati Maharaja

2. Parichha or Rajaguru - At one time managed the temple overall,

but now holds the gold cane at Sakala Dhupa Patuara and other

festivals.

3. Chatisa Nijoga Nayak, Patajoshi Mahapatra - He held significant

power and duties in the past, but fewer at present. He is of the

Puspalak class and held the key to the Bhandara till 1930. In

addition to executing orders of the temple authorities, he oversees

all the sevakas. He also performs Sari Bandha ceremony.

4. Bhitarachha

5. Talichha

6. Mudirasta (or Mudiratha) - He officiates for the Raja in

Cherapahara and other functions when the Raja is prevented from

performing them for some reason or other.

7. Deula Purohit (Karana) - Keeps accounts of the Bhandar and

Changada Gharas, transfer of seva, and distributes Parvani Kheis.

8. Puja Panda - Pujakas perform puja i.e., Naivedya for the Deities.

9. Bada Panda - A puja panda appointed to oversee other puja pandas.

10. Puspalak

11. Mahajan

12. Mudra

13. Khuntias - Of various kinds, like Palia Khuntia, Behera Khuntia,

Bilaijaga Khuntia, Rukuna Harana Khuntia, etc. Their main duty is to

pronounce Manima Daka, etc., and watch the Deities.

14. Bhandar Mekap - In charge of Bahar Bhandar containing all the

jewellery etc., required for the daily use of the Deities.

15. Palia Mekap

16. Akhand Mekap

17. Changada Mekap - In charge of Deity clothing. Others, like Palia

Mekaps, have specific duties to perform. Akhanda Mekap lights Ratna

Dipa of the Deities from Dwarafita to Pahuda.

18. Khata Seja Mekap

19. Pratihari - Guard the Deities, call for Bhogas, and oversee the

safety of the pilgrims.

20. Daitas - Work on special occasions like Navakalebar, Ratha

Yatra, Anabasar etc.

21. Pati Mahapatra

22. Patribadu - Supply Puja Upakarans throughout the day.

23. Gara badu - Serves the Gods by supplying water during Pujas and

other nitis.

24. Suara badu - Suara Badus (Bhoga Saita Suara Badu, Behera Suara

Badu) wash the pokharia several times, supply Khata, Chauki etc.

25. Khuri Naik

26. Mukha Pakhala

27. Ghatuari Oger - prepare and serve Anjana, Chandan and Mahadipa

for daily and parbajatra nitis.

28. Gochhikars - Belong to Padhiari class who watch Jaya-Vijaya

Dwara. 29. Sunagoswami

30. Muduli - Keeps charge of puja utensils and other daily puja

Upakarans and supplies to Mekaps.

31. Alati Balita Sevak - Supplies Arati Balita.

32. Puran Panda

33. Dutta Mahapatra - Duttas work for Shrimukh Simhar

34. Lugadhua & Panikunda Sevak

35. Ballav Jogania - Carry articles and Ballav and supply them at

required places. 36. Bimanbadu - Carry all Bije Bimans, etc.

37. Anasar Sudha Suar & Sudha Suar - Make preparations for puja

(pujathan at Ballav Bhoga etc.)

38. Hadap Naik - Prepare and carry betel to the Lords.

39. Bidia Jogania - Prepare and carry betel to the Lords

40. Khatuli Sevak

41. Asan Pratihari

42. Kothabhog Jogania

43. Pradhani

44. Paika

45. Lenka

46. Suara Nijoga Naik

47. Suara Nijoga & Mahasuar

48. Jagia Mahasuar

49. Badu Suara Thala, Tuna, & Amalu Suar

50. Pantibadu

51. Amalu Tola, Pura Kharadi

52. Tolabadu

53. Rosa Paika

54. Bahara Deuli Sua

r 55. Bahara Deuli Jogania - Carries articles and Ballav and supply

them at required places.

56. Rosa Dhopakhalia, Angarua,Gobar Pania & Rabadia

57. Handi Jogania Tolabadi

58. Birimunda Samartha

59. Kotha Bhoga Pania - Joganias for Kotha Bhoga, Parvajatra, Ballav

and Bahar Deuli to carry articles and Ballav and supply them at

required places. 60. Panikipata

61. Nikap & Gandhan Nikap

62. Biri Buha

63. Daudi Bala - Supplies rope to draw water from Shri Bimala Well.

64. Chunara

65. Sabat Nijog

66. Paniapata - Supplies water required in the temple throughout the

day.

67. Mandani

68. Chakaapasar

69. Mulia Suansua - Supplies Khata Pidha, etc.

70. Binakar - Plays Bina to the Deities before They go to sleep.

71. Darpania

72. Kotha Suansua

73. Mahabhoi - Supplies curd and other milk products

74. Gitagovinda - Recites Gitagovinda before the Lord at Chandan

Lagi.

75. Bhitara Gayeni - Sings songs at the time of Pahuda and other

festivals.

76. Samprada Nijoga - Dancing girls who dance at the time of

Patuara.

77. Dayanamali - Supply daily scented flowers.

78. Madeli - Plays Madala at the time of Patuara.

79. Prasad Badu,Badu Mahapatra

80. Tatua

81. Patar Bundha

82. Baijayanti

83. Chhatar Nijog

84. Kahalia - Blows Vije Kahalia.

85. Sankhua - Plays with Sankha, with Baijayantries.

86. Parbyatra Jogania

87. Chitrakar

88. Rupakar

89. Bania

90. Damara Bisoi

91. Karatia - Karatias or sawers work on car Construction

92. Bentabindha Paika

93. Patara Bisoi

94. Kala Bethias - Drag the cars.

95. Daraji Seva

96. Kumbhar Bisoi - Supplies Handi and Kudua and other pottery

required daily.

97. Rath Bhoi - Work and supply labourers for construction of cars.

98. Mala Chula - Supplies Chula, etc., for some festivals.

99. Banua

100. Chakra dihudi - Carry masals at festivals, etc.

101. Ojha Maharana

102. Ghanta Seva - Work with Bells daily and on festivals.

103. Ghantua - Work with Bells daily and on festivals.

104. Rath Dahuka

105. Badhei

106. Baidya

107. Amunia Chhatar

108. Chhamu dihudi - Carry masals at festivals, etc.

109. Chapa dehera - work to prepare Chapas.

110. Chapa Dalei

111. Mapasaita Karan

112. Chadhhau Karan

113. Deula Karan

114. Baitha Karan

115. Kotha Karan

116. Churcha Karan

117. Dayanapatra

118. Chaula Bachha Karan

119. Matha & Byaktigata Seva

120. Tadau Karana - Keeps accounts of the Bhandar, puts seals in

functions when required and puts dates about all Niti.

121. Charchiat - Sees that the nitis are performed regularly.

122. Brahmins or Purohits (including Deul purohits) - Make Ratha

Anukula, Abhisek, etc. Sri Bimala Pujak performs puja in Shola-puja

and Shrotriya. Brahmins are deputed for Navakalebar to perform as

Acharyas and various other ceremonies.

123. Patis - work with Daitas or have special functions such as

Brahmin Sevakas.

124. Simharis or pasupalakas - Dress the Lords in clothing and adorn

them with flowers at all times and perform their Avakasha Puja.

125. Tulasia - Supplies Tulasi leaves daily.

126. Tamra Bishoi - Works as coppersmith for Ratha Yatra.

 

thanks,

dheeraj khosla