‘Amavasya’ or the new moon day is important in Hindu culture.There are twelve ‘Amavasya’ in a year. Every ‘Amavasya’ has its significance but ‘Chitalagi Amavasya’ also known as ‘Chitau Amavasya’ which falls on the new moon day in ‘Sravana’ month is considered to be of significance at Jagannath temple- the abode of Mahaprabhu Jagannath and his sibling deities Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
A special ritual is performed on this day at the Shrimandir. The forehead of the Trinity-Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are embellished with an ornament called, ‘Chita’. Chita is usually an ornament adorned on the forehead made from Chandan (sandalwood), Kasturi (musk) and Gorochana (bezoar), but the Chitas adorned by the deities are made from precious gemstones and gold.
Mahaprabhu Jagannath is adorned with ‘Heera Chita’ (Diamond Chita), Lord Balabhadra with ‘Neela Chita’ (Blue Sapphire) and Devi Subhadra with ‘Manikya Chita’ (Ruby). It is said that the diamond adorned by Mahaprabhu Jagannath is one of the rarest types of diamond. It is called ‘Brahmajyoti’ or ‘Nayaka’. The trinity adorns their respective ‘Chita’ throughout the year. It is on the day of ‘Snana Purnima’ when the ornaments are removed. And during the Rath Yatra, the deities wear ‘Chita’ made from Sal. After a long period, they are again adorned with their Chita on ‘Chitalagi Amavasya’.
The Pati Mohapatra and Badagrahi Daita servitors perform the Chitalagi ritual on Amavasya. This ritual is considered a secret ritual and is performed behind closed doors. ‘Jay Bijaya dwara’ is closed during the ritual and devotees are refrained from entering the temple. The ‘Chitas’ are attached to the forehead of the deities using ‘Oshua’ (Resin) and ‘Pata Dora’ (Silk Ropes).
The ‘Mahasnana’ ritual is performed after the Chitas are placed on the forehead of all three deities. ‘Alati Bhoga’ is also offered to the deities on this day.A special offering called ‘Chitau Pitha’ (pancake made from rice and coconut) is prepared and offered to Mahaprabhu on this special day.
This day is celebrated in rural areas by farmers who worship the paddy fields. Snails breed during the monsoon season in the paddy- fields and water tanks and there is always a scare for the farmers to get bitten or stung by the snails. It is an ancient tradition to appease evil powers on this day. The farmers thus pray to pilas (snails) serpents and insects to protect them from their wrath while working in the field during the rainy season.
Whereas in Sambalpur area, this festival is known as ‘Harali kans’. People of this area believe that a witch by the name of ‘Tandei’ moves in the dark (since its new moon day) to feed on children’s blood. To save their children from the wrath of the witch, mothers draw certain peculiar design below the navel of their child before nightfall and a common variety of rice cake called ‘Chakuli Pitha’ is offered to appease the witch.
India is a land of varied cultures, traditions and beliefs and there is significance to every practise. And this is what makes India different from other countries.
