ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review Fairs and Festivals of Lord Jagannath Manas Chandra Behera The study of fairs, festivals and festive dresses are observed by the people with much pomp and (Veshas) of Lord Jagannath at Srikshetra Puri is gaiety. But actually there are much more festivals one of the most interesting chapters, in the history in Odisha which are observed by the people and culture of Lord Jagannath. However, the throughout the year. And a calendar is prepared Hindus persistently presume that Mahaprabhu in the beginning of each year, for the systematic Jagannath is the Supreme God in the earth. He celebration of these fairs and festivals. has been rightly regarded as the presiding deity Fairs and festivals constitute an integral or Aradhya Devata as well as the “Lord of the part of any religion. But Universe” in Hinduism. so far as the fairs, The culture of Odisha is festivals and festive almost synonymous with dresses (veshas) of Lord the cult of Lord Jagannath are concerned, Jagannath. As we all the Hindus are one step know that, Odisha is a ahead of any other sacred land, the land of religious sects. Prof. J.K. Lord Jagannath. This is Samal in his precious a land of fairs and work Comprehensive festivals. History and Culture of Bara Masare Tera Orissa (Vol. 2, Part 14, Yatra New Delhi, 1997, P.675) This popular mentions that:- proverb roughly refers “Throughout the history that:- in the 12 months of human culture, certain of the year, there are days or periods of time thirteen festivals which have been set aside for 100 JUNE-JULY - 2019 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 ritual celebrations. Those occasions are the events or Car festival of Lord Jagannath stands as the of agricultural, religious or socio-cultural first and foremost in the ritual celebration of the importance. The days or periods generally Lord of the Universe. originated in religious celebrations, also treated The Ratha Jatra or Car Festival of Lord as sacred occasions are usually called ‘festivals’ Jagannath is held on the second day of the bright in the traditional sense of the term.” fortnight in the month of Asadha (June-July). The fairs and festivals of Lord Jagannath Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarsana reflect the culture, tradition, history, legends, are brought from the main temple and placed in worship, prayer, processions, dances, songs, the chariots. After chherapahanra ceremony, the eating, drinking, fasting, feeding the poor and other chariots are pulled by hundreds of devotees activities of the traditional characters. Though there coming from all parts of India. The spectacular are many more fairs and festivals of the Lord, 51 procession starts from the singhadwara of the festivals seem to be prime and prominent. temple to Gundicha Ghara. After a stay for a PROMINENT FAIRS, FESTIVALS AND period of seven days at Gundicha Ghara the FESTIVE DRESSES (VESHAS) OF LORD deities are carried back to the temple. This return JAGANNATH - PURI car festival is known as Bahuda Jatra. Besides, the world famous Ratha Jatra at Puri, the festival Puri is a city of cultural heritage. The is also observed at other places across the state. cultural heritage of Lord Jagannath comprehends or includes several components viz. Fairs and Snana Yatra- It is performed in the month of Festivals, Festive Dresses (Veshas), art, Jyestha (May-June) on Purnina or full moon architecture, sculpture, paintings etc. Out of all day. The images of Jagannath, Balabhadra and these components Subhadra along with the prime and Sudarsana and proximate Fairs and Madanmohan are Festivals of Lord brought in a Jagannath are 51 in procession to Snana number. On the Vedi on the north- contrary, the Festive east corner of the Dresses (Veshas) of outer enclosure of the Lord Jagannath is temple. The deities 20 in number. Here are bathed with one is given an account hundred and eight of the 51 Fairs and pitchers of water festivals and 20 taken from a well Festive Dresses near the northern (Veshas) below:- gateway, which is used only once in the year. Then the deities are dressed as Ganesh and worshipped. Out of all the 51, prime and proximate Snana Yatra is also known as the anniversary of festivals of Lord Jagannath at Puri, the Ratha Jatra the birth of Jagannath. JUNE-JULY - 2019 101 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review Anasara, Maha Anasara or Navakalevara- the Bada Danda or Grand Road to Shri After the ceremonial bath the paint on the Gundicha Mandir where the deities stay for a idols is badly damaged and they are removed to week. The return Car festival or Bahuda Yatra is a side room in the porch where they are concealed performed on Ashada Sukla Dasami i.e., the tenth from public view for a fortnight from Snana day of the bright fortnight. Thousands of pilgrims Purnima to Asadha Amabasya which is called from all over India congregate at Puri to see the anasara. During this period the images are grand Ratha Yatra of Jagannath. renovated. The Daitas attend to the deities, and Hera Panchami- On this day goddess Lakshmi special Anasara Nitis are performed. goes to meet the Lord in Shri Gundicha Ghar Maha Anasara or Navakalebara is fifth day starting from Shri Gundicha Yatra. performed when there are two months of Asadha Gundicha Ghar Navadina Yatra- Several Nitis which usually comes in a cycle of 12-18 years. are performed during the stay of the deities at Nabayauvana and Netrotsava- The deities are Gundicha temple. renovated during the period of anasara and then Sayana Ekadashi- On the 11th day of the bright become fit for public view. The festival of the re- fortnight of Asadha, the Sayana Utsava or appearance of Jagannath to His devotees after Sleeping Ceremony is performed. The adhivasa anasara is called Navayauvana which literally Nitis are performed the previous day. At night means fresh youth. There is a great rush of pilgrims the representative images Shrinarayan, Vasudeva on this occasion as they are able to see their Lord and Bhubaneswari representing Jagannath, after fifteen days. On the next day the finishing Balabhadra and Subhadra respectively are touches are given to the eyes of the deities, the brought to the well-decorated sleeping chamber ceremony being called Netrotshava. and placed on the cots. They are invoked with the prayer, ‘O Lord, do please sleep for four months for the welfare of the universe’. Then they are laid on their respective beds. Garuda Sayana Dwadashi- The ceremony is performed on the 12th day of the bright fortnight of Asadha. Karkata Sankranti or Dakhinayan Yatra- As the sun begins to move to the autumnal equinox a festival called Dakhinayan Yatra is observed. Chitalagi Amabasya- On the new moon day in the month of Shrabana the gold and stone-set Ratha Yatra- The World famous R a t h a Chitas (ornaments for the forehead) removed from Yatra or Shri Gundicha Yatra of Lord Jagannath the deities during Snana Yatra are again put on takes place on Asadha Sukla Dwitiya, i.e., the them. second day of the bright fortnight of the month of Asadha (June-July). The chariots of Jagannath, Jhulana Yatra- It is celebrated in the temple of Balabhadra and Subhadra are dragged along Jagannath usually from the Shrabana Shukla 102 JUNE-JULY - 2019 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 Dasami up to Pratipada. Madanmohan, the proxy Radhastami- It falls on the 8th day of the bright of Jagannath; Saraswati, and Lakshmi are placed fortnight in the month of Bhadrab. On this day on decorated swings in Jhulan Mandap and Nitis are performed by taking out Shri Sudarsan crowds of pilgrims congregate in the temple to to the four Ashrams. see the festival. Different Mathas of Puri also Parsvaparibartana- On Haribasara day or the celebrate this festival with great pomp and 11th day of the bright fortnight in the month of grandeur. Bhadrab, the Parsvaparibartan (turning of sides) Gamha Purnami or Balabhadra Janma- On festival is performed. On this day at evening after the full-moon day in the month of Shrabana, Nitis the usual rituals, the god is requested to change are performed to celebrate the birthday of the side. Balabhadra. The deities wear gold and silken Baman Janma or Sunia- Various Nitis are Rakhis. performed relating to the birth of Baman on the Rahurekha Lagi- Rahurekha (an ornament for 12th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrab. the forehead) are worn by the deities. Ananta Chaturdashi- On the 14th day of the Krishna Jamna- It is celebrated in the temple bright fortnignt in the month of Bhadrab the on the 8th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadraba. ceremony is performed in Shri Ananta Basudev On this day, ceremonies relating to the birth of temple. Lord Krishna are performed. On the next day Indra-Govinda Puja- Bhadrab Purnima. Nandotsaba is observed and Nitis are performed Sahasra Kumbha Abhisek- Aswina Krishna indicating the celebrations made by Nanda for Astami, i. e., the 8th day of the dark fortnight) of the birth of his son. Aswina. Abhisek of goddess Durga is done at Krishna Lila- Subsequent to Nandotsaba, Majana Mandap and from this day Shola-Puja various Nitis relating to Krishna Lila like is performed in the temple of Shri Bimala and Banabhoji Besha, Koli Bika, Kaliya Dalana, other goddesses. Pralambasura Badha are performed. Dwitiya Osha- lt is performed by goddess Saptapuri Amabasya- It falls on new moon Lakshmi in her temple. day of Bhadrab. On this day huge quantities of Dasahara- Ayudha Puja and Bijaya Dashami sweets known as Satpuri Tada are offered to celebrations are performed.