Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023: Seva Ritual Of Gajapati Maharaj Of Orissa To Lord Jagannath During Rath Yatra

Add as a preferred source on Google

Gajapati Maharaj Seva is a unique event that proves all are equal in the eyes of God. Gajapati Maharaj sweeps the area where the deities are placed with no trace of ego or royal arrogance.

Lord Jagannatha is worshipped on the day of Rath Yatra by all classes, sects, creed and religions. Everyone gets to see Lord Jagannatha from closer quarters without being discriminated against.

The legend behind this seva is explained thus. During Indradyumnas times, Jagannatha appeared in the purushottama kshetra which is also called Puri in his chaturdha daru vigraha form.

Indradyumna served Jagannatha as long as he lived and set a precedence as the Adya sevak, which was later followed by the Gajapati Maharaj of Orissa royal clan.

Gajapati Maharaj Seva Rituals

Thereafter the name gajapati was used as a title for future kings of Orissa who started the Gajapati seva to Jagannatha.

The seva was offered during four yatra occasions, and they were called Raj niti which comprised of dola yatra, Chandan yatra, snana yatra and ratha yatra.

These yatras were together called Chhera pahanra. Chhera pahanra included sweeping around the throne of the deities, using a gold handled broom and sandal powder to spinkle on the deities.

In the absence of the king, a deputy by name mudiratha used to carry on the raj niti on kings behalf. Gajapati used to take part in other festivities like sharadiya puja , champak Dwadashi, khadi prasad bije and raja prasad bije and so on which used to be performed at the time of Nabakalebara.

In the Sannidhi/garbhagruha or the sanctum of the temple, the Gajapati maharaj's wife, who was named as Gajapati maharani, performed Raj niti in a ceremony called Gahana Bije at which time, only the Maharaja, the mudiratha, and the royal entourage were allowed entry into the inner sanctum of the temple to watch the ceremony.

Gajapati maharaj is the legal and hereditary chairman of the Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee. But The Rajaniti ritual or Gajapati Maharaj seva does not have any connection with his statutory position.

Mudiratha And Others:

Mudiratha is the deputy for Maharaja who served the Lord by performing Raj niti in Rajas absence. He has adequate privileges to conduct the seva.

There are a few Rajniti sevas which are generally not performed by the Gajapati King. These are taken care of by the Mudiratha.

Persons who carry the responsibilities of doing the seva puja or rituals, are called the Servitors or sevakas. They usually have hereditary rights to perform the seva.

During the 13th century, king Anangabhima introduced a few services for the servitors to perform and he named them as Chatisan jog. It was after the 17th century that the sevaks and servitors together and introduced other existing services to the seva list. There are about 119 categories of sevaks who perform the seva rituals currently.