Festivals
Though it is said that there are twelve ' yatras' ( festivals ) of the shri jagannath temple as mentioned below, but actually there are many more festive rituals perform thoughout the year .
Devashana Yatra
The festivals is celebrated on the full moon day of jyestha ( may-june). The deities -Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra alongwith sudarshana and madanmohan are brough out from the temple and taken in a procession to snana vedi located in the north east corner of the outer compound. The deities are bathed there with 108 pitchers of water from a well near the northern gate. Water from this sacred well is used only once a year on this occasion. After bathing ceremony, the deities are dressed like ganesh ( the elephant - god )
One the night , the deities return to the temple in aprocession again and are placed ( except madanmohan ) in a place called anasarpindi . they remain there unexposed to public view for a period of 15 days. During this period, the sevaks of a particular group know as ' daitapati' perform certain secret rituals of the car festival or the previous day the deities give darshan to thousands of eager devotes. This darshan is navajouvan darshan . a special rite know as ' netrochhab' takes place. On this day on -wards the car festival period actually starts till the deities return back to the temple.
Car Fastival ( Rath Yatra )
The world famous car festival of lord jagannath is held on ' asadha sukla dwitiya ' i.e. the 2nd day the bright fortnight of asadha ( june-july) every year. This festival is popularly known as rath yatra . gundicha yatra and also ghosh yatra. On the car fastivals day, the deities are teken out from the temple and placed in their respective chariots kept near the singha dwar . the deities are carried to the chariots in a traditional ceremonial manner frist sudarshan, then followed by balabhadra, subhadra, and jagannath . balabhadra and jagannath are made to swing forward and backward in a manner called ' pahandi'
The chariot of lord Jagannath is known as' Nadighosh'. It has 16 wheels and the colours of the fabries that cover the roof of the chariot are red and yellow. The chariot of lord Balabhadra is known as ' Taladhwaja ' it has 14 wheels and the colours of the fabries are red and green.Subhadra's chariot ' Devadalana ' has 12 wheels and the colours of the fabries are red and black . sudarshan is seated by the side of subhadra in her chariot madanmohan , a representative deity of jagannath sits in the chariot . of lord jagannath. So also two other small idols- rama and Krishna take their seats in the chariot of balabhadra. These small idola are made of brass. Thus actually seven deities namely jagannath. Balabhadra, subhadra, sudarshana, madanmohan,, rama and Krishna are seats on three chariots and moved to a temple known as 'gundicha ghar' which is at a distance of about 3.2 kms. From jagannath temple. the chariot of balabhadra dragged first followed by those of subhadra and jagannath.
If on the first day any chariot can not reach the gundicha ghar it is dragged on the next day . on the ninth day i.e . the return car festival day . the deities are brought to the singha dwar area of the jagannath temple . an important rituals performed on the 5th day ( starting from and including the day of car festival ) is known as 'Hera pachami ' when goddess laxmi proceeds to gundicha ghar to see her lord . on the evening of the 10th ( i.e . the 11th day of the bright fornight of asadha ) the deities are adorned with gold ornaments and dressed gorgeously in their respective chariot parked in the singha dwar area . on the same day another rituals called ' Hari sayan ekadasi ' is performed . on the following day i.w. the 12th day of the bright fortnight . another important ceremony known as ' Adharapana bhog ' is performed a sweet -drink is offered to the deities. On the evening of the following day. The deities are taken into the temple in a traditional procession amidst gathering of thousands of devotees. This ceremony is called neeladri bije.
Karkat or dashinayana Samkaranti
Special rites perform on this day, as the sun begins to move to the autumnal equinox.
Chitalagi Amabashya
On the new moon day of shravana , the gold and precious stone set 'Chitas' removed from the deities on the snanna purnima night, are again adorned on them ' chita' is an ornament for forehead.
Jhulana Yatra
It is celebrated for seven days from the shravana shukla dashami upto pratipada. Madanmohan, the representative image of jagannath along with laxmi and vishwadhatri are placed on a swing on the muktimandap ( called Jhulanmandap ).
On the fullmoon i.e. julan purnima or gamha purnima the birthday of lord balabhadra is celebrated in the temple
Rahurekha Lagi
on the fifth day of the dark fortnight of bhadraba ' rahurekhalagi' a gold ornament for the forehead and0face are worn by the three deities - jagannath, balabhadra and subhadra.
Krishana janma & Lila
The birthday of lord Krishna is celebrated on the 8th day of the dark fortnight of bhadraba. On the next day , nandochhba, is observed. From next day onwords certain rituals relating to Krishna lila, like banabhoji, kolibika,bakasura and arghasura badha, kaliyadalana, dhenuka and pralambasura badha are celebrated for some days. On the 13th day of this dark fortnight, lord jagannath and lord balabhadra dress like srikrishna and balaram ( balabhadra ).
The other important fairs and fastivals of the deities and the days are as follows.
Saptapuri Amasashya
On the new moon-day of bhadraba
Rishi Panchami
on the 5th day of the bright fortnight of bhadraba.
Parswaparibartan
on the 11th day of the bright fortnight of bhadraba.
Anantachaturdashi
on the 14th day of the bright fortnight of bhadraba.
Ganesh Chaturthi
on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of bhadraba.
Radhastami
on the 8th day of the bright fortnight of bhadraba.
Baman Janma or Sunisa
on the 12th day of the bright fortnight of bhadraba.
Indra- Govinda Puja
on the full moon day of bhadraba.
Sahasra Kumbha Abhiseka
on the 8th day of the dark fortnight of ashwina ( some times on the 7th day ) , abhiseka of goddess durga image is done. from this day . onwards. shoal-puja ( puja for sixreen days ) of goddess bimala is performed
Dasahara
on the 10th day of the bright fortnight of ashwina , the rajavesha of the lords takes place and the ayudha ( weapons ) of the lords are worshipped.
Kumar Purnima
on the full moon day of ashwina
Hari Uthapan Ekadasi
on the 11th day of the bright fortnight of karitik
Odhanasasthi
on the 6th day of the bright fortnight of margasira. from this day ghodalagi of the lords begins. the deities wear winter garments.
Pushyaviseka
on the full moon day in the month of pausa, 'aviseka' of lord jagannath as lord rama is performed. it is also known as 'ramaviseka'
Makara Samkranti
This is celebrated in the month of pausa, 'aviseka' of lord jagannath as rama is performed . it is also known as 'ramaviseka'
Basanta Panchami
falls on the 5th day of the bright fortnight of magha . panji ( almanac ) puja is done in the saraswti temple . the lord wear modified winter garments.
Magha Purnima
on the full moon day of magha. the' gaja udhaarana besha' of the lords is done
Dola Yatra
this is celebrated form the 10th day of the bright fortnight of ' falguna' upto to the full moon day
Sri ramanavami
celebrated from the 9th day of the bright fortnight of 'chaitra' and the continues for some days. ramalila is performed during this period
Damanaka chori ( dayanalagi )
celebrated from the 13th day and 14th day of the bright fortnight of 'chaitra' . the representative deities - ram and krishna are taken in a procession to jagannath ballava matha , where the deities pick-up their dear ' dayana' leaves from the matha garden and on the 14th day, the leaves are offered to the lords.
Akshya Trutiya & Chandan Yatra
the chandan yatra starts from akshya trutiya i.e. the 3rd day bright fortnight of baisakha. from this day onwards, construction of the chariots for the car festival starts. the chandan yatra is celebrated for the 42 days , divided in to two periods of 21 days each. the 1st period is known as bahar chandan or outer chandan , during this period , the representative images of rama, karishna , madanamohan, laxmi and bishwdhatri are taken in a procession to narendra tank. also images of siva from five shiva temples known as 'pancha pandavas' accompany them in a procession in the narendra tank.. the images play in well decorated boats and are worshipped. the second period of 21 days known as 'bhitara chandan' is celebrated inside the temple . the rites observed in this period are not popularly enjoyed.
Niladri Mahodaya
celebrated on the 8th day the bright fortnight of baisakha. 108 pots of consecrated water are offered to the deities.
Nrusingha Janma
celebrated on the 14th day the bright fortnight of baisakha. the image of nrusimha is taken to jagannath ballava matha where special rites are performed.
Sitala Sasti
celebrated on the 6th day the bright fortnight of jyestha.
Rukmini Harana
Celebrated on the 11th day the bright fortnight of jyestha.
Rajendra Viseka
Celebrated on the 10th day the bright fortnight of jyestha.
Champak Dwadasi
Celebrated on the 12th day the bright fortnight of jyestha.
Navakalebara Ceremony
when the month of ashadha happens to be an intercalary month ( two month of ashadha ) the navakalebara ceremony takes place. the old images of ' jagannath, balabhadra, subhadra, sudarsana' and neelamadhava are replaced by new images . the first step taken in connection with the navakalebara is the procurement of 'daru' margosa wood ) . for this purpose a party consisting of daitapati, deulakarana, temple brahmins, viswakarmas and some other set out in search of thr trees. the trees must have certain specifications . the trees are cut down and the wood is brought for making of the new images, the life substance ( brahma ) from the old images are transferred secretly into the new images. therecafter, the old images are buried in a place inside the temple premise, known as ' koili baikuntha'
navakalebara was last held in the year 1996. the author of this book was then the temple administrator. the previous navakalebara was held in 1977
Though it is said that there are twelve ' yatras' ( festivals ) of the shri jagannath temple as mentioned below, but actually there are many more festive rituals perform thoughout the year .
- Devasanana purnima
- Rath yatra
- Shyan yatra
- Dakhinayana
- Parshwa parivartan
- Deva uthapana
- Pushyavisheka
- Prabarana sasti
- Maker sankarnti
- Dola yatra
- Damanaka chaturdashi
- Akshaya turtiya
Devashana Yatra
The festivals is celebrated on the full moon day of jyestha ( may-june). The deities -Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra alongwith sudarshana and madanmohan are brough out from the temple and taken in a procession to snana vedi located in the north east corner of the outer compound. The deities are bathed there with 108 pitchers of water from a well near the northern gate. Water from this sacred well is used only once a year on this occasion. After bathing ceremony, the deities are dressed like ganesh ( the elephant - god )
One the night , the deities return to the temple in aprocession again and are placed ( except madanmohan ) in a place called anasarpindi . they remain there unexposed to public view for a period of 15 days. During this period, the sevaks of a particular group know as ' daitapati' perform certain secret rituals of the car festival or the previous day the deities give darshan to thousands of eager devotes. This darshan is navajouvan darshan . a special rite know as ' netrochhab' takes place. On this day on -wards the car festival period actually starts till the deities return back to the temple.
Car Fastival ( Rath Yatra )
The world famous car festival of lord jagannath is held on ' asadha sukla dwitiya ' i.e. the 2nd day the bright fortnight of asadha ( june-july) every year. This festival is popularly known as rath yatra . gundicha yatra and also ghosh yatra. On the car fastivals day, the deities are teken out from the temple and placed in their respective chariots kept near the singha dwar . the deities are carried to the chariots in a traditional ceremonial manner frist sudarshan, then followed by balabhadra, subhadra, and jagannath . balabhadra and jagannath are made to swing forward and backward in a manner called ' pahandi'
The chariot of lord Jagannath is known as' Nadighosh'. It has 16 wheels and the colours of the fabries that cover the roof of the chariot are red and yellow. The chariot of lord Balabhadra is known as ' Taladhwaja ' it has 14 wheels and the colours of the fabries are red and green.Subhadra's chariot ' Devadalana ' has 12 wheels and the colours of the fabries are red and black . sudarshan is seated by the side of subhadra in her chariot madanmohan , a representative deity of jagannath sits in the chariot . of lord jagannath. So also two other small idols- rama and Krishna take their seats in the chariot of balabhadra. These small idola are made of brass. Thus actually seven deities namely jagannath. Balabhadra, subhadra, sudarshana, madanmohan,, rama and Krishna are seats on three chariots and moved to a temple known as 'gundicha ghar' which is at a distance of about 3.2 kms. From jagannath temple. the chariot of balabhadra dragged first followed by those of subhadra and jagannath.
If on the first day any chariot can not reach the gundicha ghar it is dragged on the next day . on the ninth day i.e . the return car festival day . the deities are brought to the singha dwar area of the jagannath temple . an important rituals performed on the 5th day ( starting from and including the day of car festival ) is known as 'Hera pachami ' when goddess laxmi proceeds to gundicha ghar to see her lord . on the evening of the 10th ( i.e . the 11th day of the bright fornight of asadha ) the deities are adorned with gold ornaments and dressed gorgeously in their respective chariot parked in the singha dwar area . on the same day another rituals called ' Hari sayan ekadasi ' is performed . on the following day i.w. the 12th day of the bright fortnight . another important ceremony known as ' Adharapana bhog ' is performed a sweet -drink is offered to the deities. On the evening of the following day. The deities are taken into the temple in a traditional procession amidst gathering of thousands of devotees. This ceremony is called neeladri bije.
Karkat or dashinayana Samkaranti
Special rites perform on this day, as the sun begins to move to the autumnal equinox.
Chitalagi Amabashya
On the new moon day of shravana , the gold and precious stone set 'Chitas' removed from the deities on the snanna purnima night, are again adorned on them ' chita' is an ornament for forehead.
Jhulana Yatra
It is celebrated for seven days from the shravana shukla dashami upto pratipada. Madanmohan, the representative image of jagannath along with laxmi and vishwadhatri are placed on a swing on the muktimandap ( called Jhulanmandap ).
On the fullmoon i.e. julan purnima or gamha purnima the birthday of lord balabhadra is celebrated in the temple
Rahurekha Lagi
on the fifth day of the dark fortnight of bhadraba ' rahurekhalagi' a gold ornament for the forehead and0face are worn by the three deities - jagannath, balabhadra and subhadra.
Krishana janma & Lila
The birthday of lord Krishna is celebrated on the 8th day of the dark fortnight of bhadraba. On the next day , nandochhba, is observed. From next day onwords certain rituals relating to Krishna lila, like banabhoji, kolibika,bakasura and arghasura badha, kaliyadalana, dhenuka and pralambasura badha are celebrated for some days. On the 13th day of this dark fortnight, lord jagannath and lord balabhadra dress like srikrishna and balaram ( balabhadra ).
The other important fairs and fastivals of the deities and the days are as follows.
Saptapuri Amasashya
On the new moon-day of bhadraba
Rishi Panchami
on the 5th day of the bright fortnight of bhadraba.
Parswaparibartan
on the 11th day of the bright fortnight of bhadraba.
Anantachaturdashi
on the 14th day of the bright fortnight of bhadraba.
Ganesh Chaturthi
on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of bhadraba.
Radhastami
on the 8th day of the bright fortnight of bhadraba.
Baman Janma or Sunisa
on the 12th day of the bright fortnight of bhadraba.
Indra- Govinda Puja
on the full moon day of bhadraba.
Sahasra Kumbha Abhiseka
on the 8th day of the dark fortnight of ashwina ( some times on the 7th day ) , abhiseka of goddess durga image is done. from this day . onwards. shoal-puja ( puja for sixreen days ) of goddess bimala is performed
Dasahara
on the 10th day of the bright fortnight of ashwina , the rajavesha of the lords takes place and the ayudha ( weapons ) of the lords are worshipped.
Kumar Purnima
on the full moon day of ashwina
Hari Uthapan Ekadasi
on the 11th day of the bright fortnight of karitik
Odhanasasthi
on the 6th day of the bright fortnight of margasira. from this day ghodalagi of the lords begins. the deities wear winter garments.
Pushyaviseka
on the full moon day in the month of pausa, 'aviseka' of lord jagannath as lord rama is performed. it is also known as 'ramaviseka'
Makara Samkranti
This is celebrated in the month of pausa, 'aviseka' of lord jagannath as rama is performed . it is also known as 'ramaviseka'
Basanta Panchami
falls on the 5th day of the bright fortnight of magha . panji ( almanac ) puja is done in the saraswti temple . the lord wear modified winter garments.
Magha Purnima
on the full moon day of magha. the' gaja udhaarana besha' of the lords is done
Dola Yatra
this is celebrated form the 10th day of the bright fortnight of ' falguna' upto to the full moon day
Sri ramanavami
celebrated from the 9th day of the bright fortnight of 'chaitra' and the continues for some days. ramalila is performed during this period
Damanaka chori ( dayanalagi )
celebrated from the 13th day and 14th day of the bright fortnight of 'chaitra' . the representative deities - ram and krishna are taken in a procession to jagannath ballava matha , where the deities pick-up their dear ' dayana' leaves from the matha garden and on the 14th day, the leaves are offered to the lords.
Akshya Trutiya & Chandan Yatra
the chandan yatra starts from akshya trutiya i.e. the 3rd day bright fortnight of baisakha. from this day onwards, construction of the chariots for the car festival starts. the chandan yatra is celebrated for the 42 days , divided in to two periods of 21 days each. the 1st period is known as bahar chandan or outer chandan , during this period , the representative images of rama, karishna , madanamohan, laxmi and bishwdhatri are taken in a procession to narendra tank. also images of siva from five shiva temples known as 'pancha pandavas' accompany them in a procession in the narendra tank.. the images play in well decorated boats and are worshipped. the second period of 21 days known as 'bhitara chandan' is celebrated inside the temple . the rites observed in this period are not popularly enjoyed.
Niladri Mahodaya
celebrated on the 8th day the bright fortnight of baisakha. 108 pots of consecrated water are offered to the deities.
Nrusingha Janma
celebrated on the 14th day the bright fortnight of baisakha. the image of nrusimha is taken to jagannath ballava matha where special rites are performed.
Sitala Sasti
celebrated on the 6th day the bright fortnight of jyestha.
Rukmini Harana
Celebrated on the 11th day the bright fortnight of jyestha.
Rajendra Viseka
Celebrated on the 10th day the bright fortnight of jyestha.
Champak Dwadasi
Celebrated on the 12th day the bright fortnight of jyestha.
Navakalebara Ceremony
when the month of ashadha happens to be an intercalary month ( two month of ashadha ) the navakalebara ceremony takes place. the old images of ' jagannath, balabhadra, subhadra, sudarsana' and neelamadhava are replaced by new images . the first step taken in connection with the navakalebara is the procurement of 'daru' margosa wood ) . for this purpose a party consisting of daitapati, deulakarana, temple brahmins, viswakarmas and some other set out in search of thr trees. the trees must have certain specifications . the trees are cut down and the wood is brought for making of the new images, the life substance ( brahma ) from the old images are transferred secretly into the new images. therecafter, the old images are buried in a place inside the temple premise, known as ' koili baikuntha'
navakalebara was last held in the year 1996. the author of this book was then the temple administrator. the previous navakalebara was held in 1977