Today, on the occasion of Krishna Paksha Panchami Tithi (also known as Rekha Panchami) in the holy Bhadra month, the sacred Rahu Rekha ritual is being performed at the Puri Jagannath Temple. The ritual involves applying a gold-plated Rahu Rekha to the Chaturdha Murthy (the three main deities - Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra) to make their faces look fresh and beautiful.
Key Details of the Rahu Rekha Ritual
- Ritual Timing: The Rahu Rekha ritual begins after the completion of the first Bhogamandap.
- Ritual Significance: The Rahu Rekha is believed to shield the deities from the adverse effects of the planet Rahu and holds significant religious importance.
- Temple Darshan Suspension: Due to the Rahu Rekha ritual, public darshan at the Puri Jagannath Temple will be suspended from approximately 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
Ritual Procedures- The Rahu Rekha is removed from the Bhandar Ghar in the presence of Deula Karan, Tadau Karan, and Bhandar Mekap.
- The three woven Rahu Rekhas are cleaned.
- After the ritual, daily procedures like Mahasnana (great bath) and puja are performed.
The Navagraha principle is associated with Sri Jagannath, symbolizing various planetary representations through the deity's features.