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The secular functionaries of the Matha include the Adhikari of the Matha who is the sole in charge of the Matha, and all the other staff including the secular as well as the ritual functionaries of the Matha are recruited by the Adhikari of the Matha. The members of the secular functionaries of the Matha comprise Rent Collector, the Land Manager, the Accountant, the Jogania and a few others. It is the secular functionaries of the Matha who look into the opening and closing the doors of the Matha. They have to arrange for water in the Matha for various uses. It is they who prepare the Bhoga which is offered to the various deities of the Matha. The Bhoga which is offered to the deities is specifically prepared by the Joganias and the Joganias are supervised by the Adhikaris of the Matha. Besides the secular functionaries there are several Ritual Functionaries in the Matha. They are the priest, Dayita, the Astrologer, the Mali or the Rana, the Kanaka Mundi Seva and many other miscellaneous servants also cater to the various needs of the temple. Priest The priest of the Matha performs necessary rituals connected with Jogania. Ritual gathering of Sadhus at the Matha, annual festivals, and investiture ceremony performed at the time of appointment of a new Adhikari of the Matha, recitation of vedas and the Sahasranama of Vishnu and thread ceremony. On these services the priest in return is given a pair of silk cloth at the time of Dassara and a fixed remuneration is paid to him on different festive occasions. Dayita The Dayita changes the body of Jagannath (Patitapabana) idol of the Matha during Nabakatebara. He gets Bhog, a pair of silk clothes and Rs. 1,000 in cash for performing this sacred duty for the Matha. Astrologer The post of the Astrologer in the Matha is hereditary. When the Abakash (ritual bath) is performed in the morning for the Rasikaraj Deva, the presiding deity of the Matha, the astrologer studies the position of the stars and other heavenly bodies which are supposed to influence the life of the deity. He is responsible for the appointment of an auspicious moment when the new Adhikari assumes his position as the chief of the Matha. According to his prediction the Adhikari of the Matha performs Seva Puja of the Matha during lunar and solar eclipses. The astrologer enjoys landed properties besides payment of remuneration both in kind and cash on festive occasions for the services which he renders for the Matha. Mali The Mali of the Matha supplies flowers and garlands which are used to adorn the deities of the Matha. He has to supply more flowers on festive occasions such as swing festival and car festival. For these services he has been given lands. Kanaka Mundi Seva This service is special to the Bada Odiya Matha. The Adhikari of the Matha has to do the cleaning personally of the Ratna Mandapa and Kanaka Mundi. As he is unable to perform these two services he has appointed a deputy to do his work on his behalf. This deputy is suitably remunerated for performing this service. Besides all the functionaries both secular as well as ritual functionaries there are some sadhus who reside in the Matha and the sadhus look after the gardens which are part of the Bada Odiya Matha. |
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