image credits: SJTA Puri
On the auspicious occasion of the Odia New Year, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi revealed the festival calendar of Puri’s Shree Jagannath Temple 2025 at the revered Singhdwara. This calendar was published by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA). The calendar was offered to Lord Jagannath before its release. Dignitaries, including State Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, and SJTA Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, joined the event.
How does this Festival Calendar Ensure Uniformity in Festival Dates?
The SJTA has taken significant steps to address discrepancies in festival dates and tithis, which often led to confusion and controversies due to varying almanacs (panjikas). To bring uniformity, the SJTA directed all panjika publishers to adopt the temple’s approved schedule. A Panjika Samikarana meeting for the 2025 almanac, chaired by Dr. Padhee, was attended by Niti administrators, Puja Panda servitors, Mukti Mandap members, and publishers.
A sub-committee under the SJTA’s niti administration finalized the dates and tithis of all Srimandir festivals in the presence of publishers. Five leading panjika publishers, namely Shri Radharaman Bisudha Khadiratna Panjika, Odisha Kohinoor Press Panjika, Arunadoya Press Khadiratna Panjika, GN Tripathy Utkal Jatia Khadiratna Panjika, and Bhagyadeepa Press Panjika, agreed to follow these dates.
Key Festivals and Rituals Outlined in This Calendar
The Festival Calendar of Jagannath Temple 2025 details significant events at Srimandir, ensuring devotees can plan their participation. While the 2025-26 calendar was recently released, snippets from the 2024-25 calendar provide a glimpse of the temple’s annual rituals. For instance, Mahabisuba Sankranti, marking the Odia New Year, is scheduled for 14 April 2025, followed by Ramabhisheka on 22 April 2025. Other notable festivals include Snana Purnima on 5 June 2025 and the iconic Rath Yatra on 27 June 2025, a Friday, as per the previous calendar’s pattern. These dates, finalized after discussions with servitor Nijoga, Muktimandap pandits, and almanac writers.
What is The Srimandir Guidebook?
For the first time, the SJTA released a guidebook for Srimandir alongside the calendar. This publication offers devotees insights into the temple’s history, rituals, and significance. Both the calendar and guidebook are available at Srimandir administration’s information centres, with the calendar priced at Rs. 100 for accessibility. These resources help devotees stay connected to the temple’s traditions.
How does this Festival Calendar Connect Devotees to Tradition?
Chief Minister Majhi described the calendar as “a reflection of our rich cultural heritage and devotion.” Dr. Padhee also expressed his wishes for devotees, seeking Lord Jagannath’s blessings. The calendar serves as a practical guide but also embodies gratitude and resilience.
Snippets of the previous calendar highlight the temple’s ritual cycle by listings of festivals like Chitalagi Amabasya on 24 July 2025 and Kumar Purnima on 9 October 2025. The festival calendar ensures devotees can actively participate in Srimandir’s sacred events.
