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Puri Jagannath Temple is one of the most sacred and popular pilgrimage destinations in India. It is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and is also known for its magnificent architecture and carvings. If you are planning to visit this holy temple, you should know the Puri jagannath temple timings of the temple, as well as the timings of the various rituals and ceremonies that take place there.

The opening and closing timings of Puri Jagannath Temple are as follows:  

The opening and closing timings of the Puri Jagannath Temple vary according to the season and the rituals performed on each day. However, the general timings are as follows:

• The temple opens at 5:00 AM with the Mangala Arati, which is the first worship of the day. The temple gates are closed from 6:00 AM to 6:30 AM for the Mailam, which is the changing of the deities' clothes and ornaments.
• The temple gates are opened again at 6:30 AM for the Sahanamela, which is the public viewing of the deities. This lasts till 7:30 AM, after which the temple gates are closed for the Bada Singhar, which is the final dressing and decoration of the deities.

The Daily Schedule of the Puri Jagannath Temple

The daily schedule of the temple is divided into six main segments, each consisting of several rituals and ceremonies. These are:

• Mangala Arati and Mailam (5:00 AM to 6:00 AM): This is the first worship of the day, in which the deities are awakened by the blowing of conch shells and the ringing of bells. The deities are then offered Mangala Arati, which is the waving of lamps in front of them. The temple gates are closed from 6:00 AM to 6:30 AM for the Mailam, which is the changing of the deities' clothes and ornaments.

• Sahanamela and Bada Singhar (6:30 AM to 8:00 AM): This is the public viewing of the deities, in which the devotees can have a close darshan of the deities without any fee. The temple gates are closed from 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM for the Bada Singhar, which is the final dressing and decoration of the deities. The deities are adorned with silk clothes, gold and silver jewelry, flowers, and garlands.

• Rosha Homa, Surya Puja and Dwarapala Puja (8:00 AM to 9:00 AM): This is the fire sacrifice, in which the priests offer ghee, grains and other items to the sacred fire in the temple. The deities are then offered Surya Puja, which is the worship of the sun god. The temple gates are closed from 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM for the Dwarapala Puja, which is the worship of the gatekeepers of the temple.

• Gopala Ballava Puja, Sakala Dhupa, and Madhyana Mailam (9:00 AM to 11:30 AM): This is the offering of breakfast to the deities, in which they are served rice, dal, curd, sweets and fruits. The deities are then offered Sakala Dhupa, which is the offering of cooked food to the deities. The temple gates are closed from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM for the Madhyana Mailam, which is the midday changing of the deities' clothes and ornaments.

• Madhyana Dhupa, Madhyana Pahuda and Sandhya Mailam (11:30 AM to 2:00 PM): This is the offering of cooked food to the deities, in which they are served rice, dal, vegetables, sweets and other dishes. The deities are then offered Madhyana Pahuda, which is the midday resting of the deities. The temple gates are closed from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM for the Sandhya Mailam, which is the evening changing of the deities' clothes and ornaments.

• Sandhya Dhupa, Sandhya Arati and Chandana Lagi (2:00 PM to 4:00 PM): This is the offering of cooked food to the deities, in which they are served rice, dal, vegetables, sweets, and other dishes. The deities are then offered Sandhya Arati, which is the evening worship of the deities. The temple gates are closed from 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM for the Chandana Lagi, which is the application of sandalwood paste on the deities.

• Sahana Mela and Bada Singhar (4:00 PM to 7:00 PM): This is the public viewing of the deities, in which the devotees can have a close darshan of the deities without any fee. The temple gates are closed from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM for the Bada Singhar, which is the final dressing and decoration of the deities. The deities are adorned with silk clothes, gold and silver jewelry, flowers, and garlands.

• Sayana Arati and Pahuda (7:00 PM to 9:00 PM): This is the night worship of the deities, in which they are offered Sayana Arati, which is the waving of lamps in front of them. The deities are then offered Pahuda, which is the sleeping of the deities. The temple gates are closed at 9:00 PM for the night.

The Significance of the Rituals and Ceremonies

The rituals and ceremonies performed at the Puri Jagannath Temple are not mere formalities but have deep spiritual and symbolic meanings. They reflect the human-like nature of the deities, who are treated as living beings with emotions, desires, and needs. The deities are also considered as the supreme lords of the universe, who are worshipped with utmost devotion and reverence. Some of the significance of the rituals and ceremonies are:

• Mangala Arati and Mailam: This signifies the awakening of the deities from their sleep and their preparation for the day. The deities are greeted with love and respect and are dressed and decorated according to the season and the occasion.

• Sahanamela and Bada Singhar: This signifies the granting of the deities' darshan to the devotees and their readiness for the day. The deities are adorned with the best of clothes and ornaments and are showered with flowers and garlands. The devotees can have a close and personal view of the deities, and express their gratitude and prayers.

• Rosha Homa, Surya Puja, and Dwarapala Puja: This signifies the offering of the deities' fire sacrifice and their worship of the sun god. The deities are also protected by the gatekeepers of the temple, who are invoked and honored.

• Gopala Ballava Puja, Sakala Dhupa, and Madhyana Mailam: This signifies the offering of the deities' breakfast and lunch, and their midday change of clothes and ornaments. The deities are served with various delicacies and are satisfied with their food. The deities are also changed into fresh and comfortable clothes and ornaments, according to the weather and the mood.

• Madhyana Dhupa, Madhyana Pahuda, and Sandhya Mailam: This signifies the offering of the deities' lunch and midday rest, and their evening change of clothes and ornaments. The deities are served with various delicacies and are satisfied with their food. The deities are also given a nap, and are refreshed and rejuvenated. The deities are also changed into fresh and comfortable clothes and ornaments, according to the weather and the mood.

• Sandhya Dhupa, Sandhya Arati, and Chandana Lagi: This signifies the offering of the deities' dinner and evening worship, and their application of sandalwood paste. The deities are served with various delicacies and are satisfied with their food. The deities are also worshipped with lamps and are praised and glorified. The deities are also applied with sandalwood paste, which cools and soothes them.

• Sahana Mela and Bada Singhar: This signifies the granting of the deities' darshan to the devotees and their readiness for the night. The deities are adorned with the best of clothes and ornaments and are showered with flowers and garlands. The devotees can have a close and personal view of the deities, and express their gratitude and prayers.

• Sayana Arati and Pahuda: This signifies the offering of the deities' night worship and sleeping. The deities are offered lamps and are bid farewell and good night. The deities are also given a comfortable bed and are tucked in with blankets and pillows.

The Puri Jagannath Temple is a remarkable place of worship, where the deities are treated as living beings with human-like emotions and needs. The temple follows a strict and elaborate schedule of rituals and ceremonies, which are performed with utmost devotion and reverence by the priests and the devotees. The temple is open for darshan from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with some breaks in between for the rituals. However, the timings are subject to change depending on the festivals, special occasions, and lunar phases.