The Song of Love
Written in the 12th century by the poet Sri Jayadeva, the Gita Govinda details the intimate, divine love between Lord Krishna (who is non-different from Jagannath) and Radha. The poetic work became so influential that it was permanently integrated into the temple's [niti](/rituals/daily-rituals-daily-rituals-niti)|daily rituals]].
The Nightly Ritual
Every night, before the doors of the sanctum sanctorum are closed for the Pahuda (sleep), a designated servitor known as the Gita Govinda Khandayata stands near the Kalahat Dwara.
"He sings the melodious verses of the Gita Govinda, accompanied by the gentle strumming of a Veena. It is the divine lullaby meant to put the Supreme Lord to sleep."
Legend has it that Lord Jagannath loves the Gita Govinda so much that He would secretly leave the temple in disguise to listen to it being sung by His devotees in the village, returning with His clothes torn by thorny bushes. The song represents the ultimate triumph of Bhakti (devotion) over rigid ritualism.