Daily rituals
The deities are cared for through a fixed sequence of rituals (niti), from the opening of the sanctum doors by 4:30 AM to Pahuda at 11:30 PM. This page follows the schedule published by the temple administration, which notes that the times are often not kept exactly.
The day at a glance
Read the ring clockwise from midnight at the top. Each segment begins at a time published by the temple administration; the dark segment is the night, when the doors are sealed. The outlined segment is the ritual the schedule prescribes for the current time in Puri.
The administration itself notes that "it is generally not possible to follow the time prescribed for each ritual". Use the ring to understand the order of the day, not as a timetable.
Source: SJTA: Daily Rituals. Checked 2 October 2026.
Morning
Dwaraphita and Mangala Alati
The doors of the sanctum are opened by 4:30 AM (Dwaraphita). Mangala Alati, the first lamp offering, follows at 5:30 AM; the administration describes three kinds of lamp offering: karpura, bati and pithau alati.
Mailam and Abakasha
At 6 AM the clothes and flowers of the previous night are removed (Mailam). At 6:30 AM comes Abakasha, the cleaning of teeth and bathing of the deities, which the administration describes as using camphor, curd, amla and sandal paste.
Besha and Surya Puja
The deities are dressed (Besha), and Surya Puja, worship of the Sun, is prescribed for 7:45 AM. Darshan from the Jagamohana is available until Besha is complete, around 7:30 to 8 AM.
Gopala Ballabha Bhoga
The breakfast offering, at 8:30 AM. The administration lists coconut sweets, fruits and curd among the items. Darshan pauses from about 8 to 9:15 AM.
The main meals
Sakala Dhupa
The morning meal, also called Raja Bhoga, from 9 to 10 AM, offered with sixteen upacharas (forms of service).
Bhoga Mandapa
Offerings in the Bhoga Mandapa hall, prescribed for 11:30 AM.
Madhyahna Dhupa
The midday meal, also offered with sixteen upacharas. The administration describes cooked rice, curries, sweets and many kinds of cakes, but publishes no fixed time. Darshan resumes from about 2 PM after it is complete.
Evening and night
Sandhya Alati and Sandhya Dhupa
The evening lamp offering at 6 PM, followed by the evening meal between 6:30 and 8 PM.
Mailam and Chandanalagi
After Sandhya Dhupa the deities are dressed in fresh clothes and anointed with sandal paste mixed with camphor and saffron (keshar). Darshan is described from about 8 to 9 PM, until Chandanalagi is complete.
Badasinghara Besha and Dhupa
Between 9 and 10 PM the deities are dressed for the night in silk robes and flower ornaments. Temple tradition The silk is traditionally a khandua cloth woven with verses of Jayadeva's Gita Govinda. The last food offering, Badasinghara Dhupa, between 10:30 and 11 PM, includes watered rice, kadalibada and khiri, according to the administration.
Khataseja Lagi and Pahuda
The final rituals, prescribed for 11:30 PM, are Khataseja Lagi (preparing the beds), Pushpanjali, Pahuda, Muda and Sodha. The deities retire and the doors are sealed.
Source: SJTA: Daily Rituals. Checked 2 October 2026.
Festival attire (besha)
On particular days the deities wear special attire. A few well-known examples are listed below; the dates follow the temple calendar and change each year. Temple tradition
| Besha | Occasion |
|---|---|
| Hati (Ganesha) Besha | Snana Purnima, after the ritual bath |
| Suna Besha | On the chariots after the return journey of Rath Yatra |
| Chandana Besha | During Chandan Yatra in summer |
| Radha Damodara Besha | Through the month of Kartika |
For the current year's dates, see the temple administration's festival pages.
The servitors
The rituals are performed by hereditary servitor (sevayat) families, each with defined duties, for example the Pujapandas who perform worship, the Suaras who cook, and the Daitapatis, who have special roles during Snana Purnima, Rath Yatra and Nabakalebara. Temple tradition In temple tradition the Daitapatis are held to descend from the Sabara chief Viswavasu of the Nila Madhaba legend. At Rath Yatra, the Gajapati of Puri sweeps the chariots in the Chhera Pahanra ritual.
Common questions
How many rituals are performed each day?
The temple administration's published schedule lists about a dozen principal rituals, from Dwaraphita by 4:30 AM to Pahuda at 11:30 PM, many with several smaller steps. Festival days add more.
Are the published ritual times followed exactly?
No. The temple administration states that it is generally not possible to follow the prescribed time for each ritual because of practical difficulties.