Pahili Bhog was offered to lord Jagannath and His siblings on Thursday early morning. This offering would continue for a month till January 13.
As per the religious traditions of the temple, during this month Mahalakshmi, the consort of lord Jagannath visits her father’s house and the Bhog is prepared by the mother of the deities.
She offers delicious cakes made of cheese, grams and other sweetmeats every day starting from the Dhanu Sankranti to the Makar Sankranti. On Thursday, devotees in large numbers visited the temple and had darshan of the deities and tasted the sweetmeat and other delicacies.
Devotees during this month take Pahili Bhog in huge quantities to feast on the Bhog prepared by the mother of the deities. The temple gate was opened at about 2 am and servitors began the daily chores of the deities and then dressed them.
Very early morning after observance of Mangal Arati, the deities were offered the Pahili Bhog. This would be repeated every day for one month and conclude on Makar, the day Mahalakshmi returns from her vacation.