Rukmini Vivaha In Jagannath Temple

Rukmini Vivaha In Jagannath Temple

The Jagannath Temple in Puri is replete with rituals. As the Snana Purnima nears, some interesting rituals are taking place in the temple leading to the big day on June 5. On Tuesday Odias observe the Nirjala Ekadashi and Rukmini Vivaha is performed at the bada deula in Puri.

The marriage of Madan Mohan who is the living representative of Lord Jagannath and Devi Rukmini will be solemnised at the Jagannath temple premises in Puri. The marriage is performed on the 11th day of shukla paksha of the Jyestha month of the Odia calendar on the Vivaha Mandap inside the temple. The function starts with the evening rituals of the deities.

After offering the prayer, the deities are given a religious bath and attired with new clothes. The performing priests and sevayats arrange the marriage materials and the marriage is performed as per the rituals. Then the newly married divine couple is taken to Ratna Simhasan inside the main temple. The function ends with the Mahaprasad served to the devotees.

Earlier in the day, the Rukmini Haran festival was celebrated inside the temple. According to legend, Rukmini was kidnapped on request by Krishna on this day as she wanted to marry him instead of Sishupala, with whom her marriage was arranged. 

This event is enacted in the Jagannath temple when the servitors bring Madan Mohan to the Rukmini temple and temporarily remove the idol of Rukmini as notional abduction. The next day is celebrated as Champaka Dwadashi as the Lord Jagannath and his siblings are adorned in Champa flowers.