The Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri will remain closed to devotees for five hours today as priests perform the sacred Rukmini Haran and Bibaha Utsav rituals.
The temple administration announced suspension of public darshan from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM after the completion of the First Bhog Mandap offering.
The rituals fall on Jyestha Shukla Ekadashi Tithi, considered highly auspicious. According to tradition, the Rukmini Haran ritual enacts the divine elopement of Lord Krishna with Princess Rukmini. The ceremony precedes Debasnana Purnima by four days and holds deep cultural and spiritual significance.
Legend narrates that Rukmini, daughter of the Vidarbha king, loved Krishna, but her brother Rukmi wanted her to marry Shishupala. She secretly sent a message to Krishna, asking him to abduct her. Lord Jagannath, representing Krishna, adorns Baula Pata and deputes Madanmohan to symbolically carry out the abduction while Rukmini prays at Maa Bimala temple. Shishupala pursues them, leading to a fierce battle. The Lord triumphs, and temple servitors prepare for the divine wedding of Jagannath and Rukmini at the Vivaha Mandap.
The Rukmini Haran ritual emphasises devotion, divine love, and the victory of righteousness. The temple administration urged devotees to respect the temporary suspension of darshan and highlighted the importance of preserving tradition.
