Puri: Jagannath temple will remain out of bounds for four hours today due to the Rahurekha Lagi ritual.
Rekha Panchami is observed on the fifth day of the Krushna Paksha of Bhadraba month. Today, on the auspicious occasion of Rekha Panchami, a sacred ritual will be performed at the Puri Jagannath Temple in Odisha. The ritual, known as Rahu Rekha, will be conducted by the Daitapati servitors in the temple. This ancient ritual is considered one of the most secretive and sacred rituals among the many rituals performed at the temple.
After the Bhoga Mandap puja, the sacred ‘Rahu Rekha Lagi’ ritual commences in the Srimandir. Due to its secretive nature, the Jaya Vijaya Dwara remains closed during this time.
The ritual begins with the Mahajana Sevak performing the ‘Bije ritual’ of Sridevi and Bhudevi at the Ratna Simhasana. Subsequently, the Paliakuntia Sevak informs the Daitapati Sevak to conduct Rahu Rekha Lagi rirual. In short, it is a collective ritual performed by the Daitapati Sevak, Mahajana Sevak, and other Daita Sevak.
Before adorning the golden Patti called Rahu Rekha, the concerned servitors perform the ‘sanskara of Rahu Rekha. It is a ‘lepa’ made from Rasi Tela ( seasame oil) and Jhuna Gunda on the forehead of deities. Then Rahu Rekha is first adorned to Lord Balabhadra, then Mahaprabhu and last to Devi Subhadra.
The ritual will commence after the first Bhog Mandap puja, and the temple will remain closed for the general public from 2 pm to 6 pm due to the secretive nature of the ritual. The temple administration has made an announcement in this regard to maintain the sanctity of the ritual.
It is pertinent to note that after the Snana Purnima, when Lord Jagannath and sibling deities were suffering from fever the Rahu Rekha was removed from their faces. Now, again today, in the presence of Deulakaran, Tadhaukaran, and Bhandardhar Mekap servitors, the Rahu Rekha lepa will be brought out from the temporary storehouse. Then, the Patimahapatra servitors will prepare the Rahu Rekha, and the four Badagrahi servitors will apply it to the forehead of the Chaturdha Murti (four deities).
After the Rahu Rekha ritual is completed, the deities will be given a Mahasnana (grand bath), and then the general public will be allowed to enter for darshan.
