Celebrating Lord Jagannath Puri at Our Home Temple: A Spiritual Journey

Lord Jagannath is worshipped with great fervor during the annual Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra. However, even if you're not part of the grand procession, you can invoke the blessings of the Lord right in your own home. Here’s a guide on how to worship Lord Jagannath at home.

Jagannath Rath Yatra is one of the most important festivals celebrated in India. The festival celebration continues for nine days. Every year, lakhs of devotees visit the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Orissa, to be a part of the Ratha Yatra festival. The celebration of this festival began in Jagannath Puri, and today, it is celebrated throughout the country with supreme zeal and devotion. 

Jagannath Ratha Yatra - History and Significance

The Jagannath Rath Yatra is a significant festival celebrated in Puri, Odisha, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of India. Originating from the legend of Lord Jagannath, his sister Subhadra, and elder brother Lord Balabhadra's journey to Puri, this festival is celebrated with immense vigor and devotion every year.

Devotees perform pooja on Ratha yatra festival to seek blessings of Lod Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra. The three chariots are the essence of this festival. 

Essential Items to Worship Lord Jagannath at Home

To begin the worship of Lord Jagannath at home, you need essential items:

Jagannath Idol or Picture:

Altar for Lord Jagannath

Set up a prominent altar in your living room to place the idols or pictures of Lord Jagannath. Ensure it's spacious enough to honorably display the Lord.List of Items Required For Worshipping Lord Jagannath.

Worshipping Lord Jagannath is not a tough pooja at all. Check out below the items required during Jagannath pooja:

• Achamanam cup with water - add some Ganges water into it.

• Ghee lamp

• Incense sticks

• Non-blowing conch filled with water - add some Ganges water. If possible, add rose water too.

• Handkerchief size cloth

• Flowers that have fragrance. Avoid hibiscus flowers.

• Peacock fan

• Chamara (Yak tail fan)

• Small pot for water collection post bathing the Lord.

• Bell

How to Worship Lord Jagannath at Home

Follow these steps to perform the worship of Lord Jagannath at home:

Worship the Lord with Incense Sticks

Light the incense sticks and move them clockwise around Lord Jagannath’s body seven times. Now move these sticks around Lord Baladeva in the same direction seven times. Follow the same thing for worshipping Subhadra Devi and Sudharshan Chakra. Have at least three incense sticks, and if you can have more like five or seven, it would be great.

Use Ghee Lamp or Diya to Worship Gods

Light the ghee lamp and circle it around Lord Jagannath’s feet, belly, head, and entire body seven times each. Repeat the process for Lord Balabhadra, Subhadra Devi, and Sudharshan Chakra.

Once you’ve worshipped Lord Jagannath at your home temple, come to Lord Baladeva with the same ghee lamp. Follow the same approach - first, move the lamp around His feet four times, then the belly two times, the head three times and the entire body seven times.

After worshipping Lord Baladeva, move to Subhadra Devi and Sudarshan Chakra and worship them with the same approach.

Offer the lamp slowly and with complete devotion.

When the family members have worshipped the gods, they can accept the offered lamp to purify themselves. They can put both their palms over the lamp and touch their forehead and eyes.

Bath the Idols of the Gods

Move the conch filled with water three times on top of Lord Jagannath’s head and seven times around His entire body in a clockwise direction. Now pour some water from the conch into the small pot. 

After that, use the same conch with the remaining water to bathe Lord Baladeva. Use the non-blowing conch to bathe the idols with water three times on their heads and seven times around their bodies. Collect the sacred water in a pot.

Follow the same steps with the idols of Subhadra Devi and Sudharshan Chakra.

Bathe the Lord using the non-blowing conch. Once you’ve bathed the idols, splash the sacred water accumulated in the small pot on yourself and your family members.

Use Cloth to Dry the Lord

Gently dry the idols with a cloth, moving it seven times around each deity.

Offer Flowers to Lord Jagannath

Circle the flower plate around each idol seven times and offer flowers at their lotus feet.

Blow the Lord with Chamara or Yak Tail Fan

Use the Chamara and peacock fan to fan each deity seven times, promoting a sacred ambiance.

Fan the Lord with Peacock Fan

Fan the Lord with peacock fan the way you fanned the idols with Chamara. Fan the entire body of the Lords seven times. Like with the Chamara, fan the idols more than seven times if time permits.

Sing Kirtan While Worshipping Lord Jagannath 

Engage in Hare Krishna Kirtan while worshiping Lord Jagannath, inviting spiritual vibrations into your home. Besides, chant special prayers for Lord Jagannath. You can also sing the Jagannathastakam prayer of Shankaracharya if you know it or have the verse book. Though its lyrics and tunes are a bit tough, you can practice it beforehand. 

Summing Up Lord Jagannath Pooja at Home

Ensure your worship of Lord Jagannath is filled with utmost care and devotion. Let it not merely be a ritual, but a heartfelt connection with the divine as you invite them into your home. Stay calm, attentive, and serene throughout the ceremony. By worshipping with love and dedication daily, you transform your home into a sanctuary of positive energy and blissful vibes.