In a vibrant display of ancient traditions, the Pushyabhisheka, or royal coronation ritual, of Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb was solemnly conducted at Shrinahar in Puri.
The ceremony, steeped in cultural and religious significance, saw the Gajapati ascending the throne and being anointed amidst chants and blessings, marking a continuation of a centuries-old practice linked to Lord Jagannath’s worship.
The event unfolded on the auspicious Pushya Nakshatra following the Paush Purnima, aligning with the Deva Abhisheka rituals of Lord Jagannath at the Shree Jagannath Temple. Brahmin priests from the 16 Shasanas (traditional Brahmin settlements) gathered to perform the rites, consecrating the Gajapati with holy water, mantras, and a new sacred thread (paita). The atmosphere reverberated with the sounds of conches, drums, trumpets, and flutes, filling the royal palace with an air of divine festivity.
Drawing inspiration from the Treta Yuga, where Lord Ramachandra was crowned on Pushya Nakshatra in Ayodhya, this ritual symbolises the Gajapati’s role as the foremost servant of Lord Jagannath. After the anointing, the priests bestowed blessings for prosperity, presenting gifts such as clothes and fruits. The ceremony prays for the welfare of the kingdom and the world under the Gajapati’s benevolent rule.
The tradition of Pushyabhisheka at Shrinahar has been observed immemorial, involving not just the royal priests but also abbots from various monasteries, saints, and scholars. This year’s observance was attended by notable dignitaries, including Shree Jagannath Temple’s Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Padhee, District Collector Dibyajyoti Parida, SP Prateek Singh, Chhatisha Niyoga Mahanayak Janardan Patjoshi Mahapatra, and numerous sadhus and mathadhipatis.
The ritual underscores Puri’s unique blend of royalty and devotion, where the Gajapati Maharaja serves as the living embodiment of service to the divine triad of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. Devotees and locals alike view it as a harbinger of peace and prosperity for Odisha and beyond.
