Puri Jagannath Temple Announces Ritual Schedule for September 7 Lunar Eclipse

Bhubaneswar/Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has released the schedule of rituals at the 12th-century shrine in Puri ahead of the lunar eclipse on September 7 (Sunday). The eclipse will begin at 9:57 pm on Sunday and end at 1:27 am on Monday (September 8).

As per the temple authorities, all rituals of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra will be completed before the commencement of the eclipse. The administration has also clarified that from 12:57 pm on Sunday till 1:27 am on Monday, no rituals will be performed inside the temple, since cooking of Mahaprasad is strictly prohibited during the eclipse period.

According to the schedule, the Mangala Alati of the deities will be performed at 2:40 am on September 7, followed by Mailam and Tadaplagi at 3:00 am, and Abakasha and Rosahoma by 3:30 am. The Sakala Dhoopa ritual will be observed between 5:00 am and 6:00 am, along with Surya Puja, Dwarapala Puja, and Gopalballav.

The Madhyahna Dhoopa will take place between 8:00 am and 9:00 am after Mailam and Bhogamandap, while the Sandhya Alati ritual will be held at 11:15 am. All routine as well as special rituals of the deities will be completed by 12:30 pm on Sunday, the temple administration informed.

Following the conclusion of the eclipse, the servitors will perform Mahasnana, Grahanbhoga, and other post-eclipse rituals before resuming the regular schedule.