59. Special Dresses of Lord Jagannath

Special Dresses of Lord Jagannath:

On special days throughout the year, Jagannatha Swami, Baladeva and Subhadra wear one of the 36 different outfits to celebrate the pastimes of Bhagavan Sri Krsna, Sri Rama, Lakshmi-Nrsimha, Durga and Ganesa.

Costumes related to Sri Krsna include - Vanabhoji vesa, Kaliya Damana vesa, Bali Vamana vesa, Krsna Balarama, Pralambasura, Radha Damodara, Vamana, Nrsimha, Gaja Uddharana, Raja.

During the entire year the deities wear different kinds of Vesas (decorations) and a few details of some such decorations are given below: -

The 16 Upachars are:

1. Asan

2. Swagat

3. Padya

4. Arghya

5. Achaman

6. Madhupark

7. again Achaman

8. Snan

9. Vastra

10. Bhusan

11. Gandha (sandal-wood paste)

12. Pushpa (flowers)

13. Dhupa (incense)

14. Dipa (lamp)

15. Naivedya (food)

16. Arati

Serials 11 to 15 are treated as 5 Upachars.

In addition to the different daily dresses offered to Lord Jagannath, His servants offer Him special dresses at different special times of the year. A partial list is as follows:

Month of Chaitra (March-April):

Raghunatha Vesa:

On the appearance day of Lord Ramachandra, the 9th day of the light fortnight of the month of Chaitra, Jagannath and Baladeva are dressed as Rama and Lakshmana, with bows and arrows, Hanuman and many monkeys are placed with Jagannath.

Month of Vaisakha (April-May):

Chandan Vesa:

From the third day of bright Vaisakha (shortened for bright fortnight of Vaisakha) the deities wear Chandan Vesa for 42 days. During these days sandal paste is smeared on Them and they put on various floral ornaments.

Month of Jyestha (May-June):

Rukmini Haran Vesa:

On the Sukla ekadasi of the month of Jyestha, Krishna had married Rukmini. Therefore, on this day Sri Madana Mohan wears a suitable dress to look like the bridegroom.

Navayouvana Vesa:

15 days after Snana Purnima day, the deities are dressed like fresh young persons. It may be mentioned that after the bath, they were considered ill and were treated for 15 days. This day they appear in the public after recovery for which this beautiful decoration is made to show Them as youthful and vigorous.

Hati Vesa:

Hati means "elephant." The full moon day of the month of Jyestha is the occasion of Lord Jagannath's snana-yatra or bathing festival. After bath, Jagannath and Balabhadra are dressed and decorated to look like black and white elephants respectively. This is also known as Ganesha Vesa.

Some pandas give another explanation of the hati-vesa, saying that on one occasion Krsna and Balaram dressed up as elephants in order to make the gopis laugh.

In the Oriya "Daryata Bhakti", a famous devotional book about Lord Jagannath; the following story is given:

In the village of Kaniyari in the South Indian state of Karnataka lived a devotee of Ganesha known as Ganapati Bhatta. He once came to Puri to see Lord Jagannath's snana-yatra festival. Upon his arrival he saw Daru-brahma, Lord. Jagannath, as Kṛṣṇa. Unhappy at not seeing his worshipable Ganesha, he thought, "Jagannath is said to be Daru-brahma, the transcendental Supreme Lord in whom is contained all incarnations and demigods. Not seeing Ganesha here in Jagannath, how can I accept this as true?" Lord Jagannath is known as vancha-kalpataru, or the fulfiller of the desires of His devotees. So, the Lord became happy seeing the one-pointed faith of this devotee for Ganesha and He manifested Himself like an elephant, gajanana-rupa according to the prayer of this ganapati-bhakta, in order to establish His position.

As long as the moon and the sun are in this universe, Jagannatha will accept this dress on the auspicious snana- yatra day. From that day until now every year on the day of snana-yatra, when Jagannath and Baladeva sit on the snana- vedi, the bathing platform, they dress like Ganesha. And putting many lotus flowers around the face of Subhadra devi, the pandas dress Her in the padma vesa, or lotus dress. This seva is carried out by the Head priest of the Sri Gopal Tirtha Math.

Month of Aṣadha (June-July):

Suna vesa:

Suna means "gold". The sunā vesa consists of many solid gold ornaments.

The 11th day of the bright fortnight of the month of Asadha is known in Orissa as Bahudha Ekadasi. On this day Lord Jagannath returns to Niläcala where His main temple, the Sri-mandir, is situated, after his sojourn to Sundaracala where He resided for 7 days in the Gundica-mandir.

Upon returning to the Lion Gate after Ratha-yatra, the deities wait a couple of days before re-entering the temple. On 11th day of bright Ashadha (Ekadasi) evening; while on the respective chariots; Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra wear Their most opulent and costly outfit called Suna or Svarna (gold) Vesa, which includes solid gold hands and feet; a gold crown, a gold peacock feather and gold earrings; a gold effulgence encircling Their lotus faces; and 8 luxurious gold necklaces modelled after different flowers like kadamba, lotus, campaka and parijata along with usual weapons and various ornaments. It is said that the total weight of the solid gold ornaments of the sună vesa worn by Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra is more than one ton.  

A partial list of the golden ornaments:

(1) Sri Hasta - golden hands

(2) Sri Payara - golden feet

(3) Sri Mukuta - a huge golden crown

(4) Sri Mayura-candrika - a golden peacock feather

(5) Śri Cüla-pati - a golden ornament worn on the forehead

(6) Sri Kundala - golden earrings in the shape of hanging round balls.

(7) Sri Rahu-rekla - half square-shaped golden auras around the faces of the deities.

(8) Sri Sankha, chakra, gada, and hala - Lord Jagannath carries a silver conch, and a golden disk. Lord Baladeva carries a golden club and a golden plow.

(9) Sri Mala - golden necklaces of different designs such as:

Padma mala - lotus necklace 

Sevati mala - shaped like a small chrysanthemum

Agasti mala - shaped like the moon

Parijata mala - shaped like a parijata flower

Kadamba mala - shaped like a round kadamba flower

Kanti mälä - shaped in big gold beads like the kanti flower

Mayra mill - shaped like peacock feathers

Campa-phula mala - shaped like the campa, a bell shaped yellow flower

Month of Sravana (July-August):

Chitalagi Vesa:

In Orissa the new moon day in the month of Śrāvana is known as citalagi amaväsyä. Lord Jagannath for most of the year wears a golden flower ornament on his forehead known as citā. On the snana-purnima day this ornament is removed. On the citälägi amaväsyä it is again put on the forehead of Lord Jagannath.

Rähurekhälägi Vesa:

On snana-yatra day; the karnapatra or golden earrings of Lord Jagannath are removed. On the 5th day of the bright moon of the month of Śrāvana, they are again put on the deities. This is known as the rähurekhalagi vesa.

Month of Bhadrapada (August-September):

During the month of Bhadrapada; Jagannath is offered several special dresses. After Janmashtami; from the daśami to the dvadasi, 3 different dresses, all relating to Krsna's pastimes in Vraja, are worn by Lord Jagannath -  vanabhojana veša, kāliya- damana vesa, and pralamba-vadha veša. The king of Puri takes charge of all of these dresses.

Vanabhoji Vesa:

The vanabhoji vesa is offered to the deities on the 10th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada. Their Lordships are dressed like cowherd boys going on a picnic in the forest with their friends. Many gopis, gopas, cows, birds, and peacocks made of sola are placed on the altar to create the mood of Vṛndāvana. Vana means forest, and bhoji means to take one's meal. This costume is a part of Krishna lila.

Kaliya Damana Vesa:

On the 11th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada, the devotees remind Lord Jagannath of His pastime of dancing on the hoods of the Kaliya serpent in the waters of Yamuna River in Dwapara yuga. Jagannath holds onto a huge snake which circles over His head. Everything is made of sola.

Pralambasura Vesa:

On the 12th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada, Jagannath is offered the vesa known as pralambasura or pralambavadha. Lord Balarama's killing of the demon Pralambasura is depicted, while Jagannath, Krsna, sits quietly by, watching, surrounded by His cows.

Krsna-Balarama Vesa:

On the 13th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada Jagannath and Balarama are dressed like cowherd boys. For this vesa, two specially fabricated arms are attached to the deities, so it appears that the two brothers (Jagannath and Baladeva) are resting Their beautiful arms (made of sola) on each other's shoulders.

Vamana Vesa:

On the 12th day of the bright fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada, Lord Jagannath, manifests His form as the dwarf brahmana Vamanadeva. He dresses as a brahmacari with an umbrella and waterpot.

Month of Asvina (September-October):

Raja Veša:

On the 10th day of the bright fortnight of the month of Aśvina, on the occasion of Ramachandra Vijayotsava (Vijaya Dasami), Lord Jagannath is dressed as a king. He wears fine silk cloth and many golden ornaments. Jagannath and Balarama both carry bows and arrows.

Month of Kartika (October-November):

Damodara Vesa:

Beginning from the first day of the month of Kartika for the following 25 days up to the Sukla-dasami; Lord Jagannath wears the Radha- damodara veša, Lord Jagannath wears a different dress every day but during the month of Damodara he wears the same dress every day.

Lakshmi Nrsimha Vesa:

Lakshmi Nrsimha or Dalikia Vesa of Jagannath is held on the 14th day of bright Kartik. Today, Jagannatha Swami dresses as a lion to rejoice in His Satya-yuga descent as Lord Nrsimha.

Raja Vesa:

On the full moon day of the month of Kartika, when Krsna performs His rasa-lila, the deities are again dressed in a royal fashion, but instead of bows and arrows Jagannath is given a flute.

Nagarjuna-veja or Parasurama-vesa:

The last days of Karttika when, according to astrology, there are 6 tithis rather than 5 between Ekadasi and Purnima.

(Note: on Nov. 26, 1993, Lord Jagannath wore this vesa for the first time in 25 years. An estimated 500,000 pilgrims took darsana on that day.)

Lakshmi Narayana Vesa:

Lakshmi-Narayan Vesa of Jagannath is held on the 11th day of bright Kartik and this Vesa is also known as Thiakia Vesa. This Vesa is very favourite for the devotees belonging to Ramanuja sect.

Bankachuda Vesa:

This Vesa is similar to Lakshmi-Narayana Vesa with addition of golden head-dress.

Trivikram or Adakia Vesa:

Jagannath is decorated in Trivikram or Adakia Vesa on the 13th day of bright Kartik. This Vesa completely confirms to the Orissan style.

Month of Märgaśīrṣa (November-December)

Ghodalagi Vesa/Odana Şasthi:

The 6th day of the bright fortnight of the month of Margaŝirsa is called Odana şaşthi. Beginning with this day, the deities are offered white cotton garments for the 36 cold days of the winter season.

Sraddha Vesa:

Jagannath wears Sraddha Vesa on 3 days consecutively i.e., the 14th day of dark Margasira, the new moon day of the month and the 1st day of bright fortnight of that month. Jagannath offers Sraddha and burning lamps in favour of Nanda, Vasudev and Dasarath on these 3 days.

Month of Pausha/Pushya (December-January):

Raja Vesa/Pushya Abhisheka Vesa:

On the full moon day of the month of Pausha a festival is celebrated commemorating the first installation of the deities in the temple. On this day, Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra receive pushya abhisheka, a special bath with flowers and 108 pots of water, followed by ghee. They are dressed in very opulent cloth with golden ornaments like royalty known as the raja vesa.

Makara Vesa:

This dress is worn on the makara-sankranti day. Jagannatha wears huge crowns made out of tulasi with many flower decorations and earrings.

Month of Magha (January-February):

Gaja Uddharana Vesa:

Gaja-means, elephant and Uddharana means ‘to deliver’. This dress glorifies the pastime of the Lord rescuing the elephant, Gajendra. In this dress the deities are given hands and legs made out of the root of the sola tree. Sola means ‘very light’. Sola is used to make marriage crowns as well as lightweight ornaments for Odissi dancers. It is also used extensively in the dress of Lord Jagannath. When this vesa is worn, the pandas place small effigies of an elephant and a crocodile fighting in the water in front of the Lord. Jagannath wears this dress on the full moon day of the month of Magha.

Padma Vesa:

Between the new moon day of the month of Magha and Vasanta-pañcami (5 days later) Jagannath wears a lotus dress and Himself looks like a lotus flower. The materials are made from paper, sola, and lace. A special pudding is offered to the deities when they wear this vesa.

Month of Phalguna (February-March):

Raja Vesa:

Raja Vesa is held on the full-moon day of Phalguna called Dola Purnima or Rasa purnima. The deities wear a regal outfit once again. This Vesa is similar to Suna Vesa. Today Jagannatha Swami dresses as Sri Krsna with a flute in His hand.

Bada Sringara Vesa:

Bada Sringara Vesa- Lord Jagannatha is dressed up to meet the gopis.

Every night before taking rest, Jagannatha Swami wears a unique outfit called Bada Srngara-Vesa, composed of long tulasi garlands, and crowns, ornaments and decorations-all made of the most colorful and fragrant flowers.

This outfit contains 8 different floral pieces:

1. all-flower forehead decoration

2. flower garland tilaka

3. flower ornaments representing hands and fingers

4. makara shaped flower earrings

5. an 18-inch diameter heart shaped flower piece to cover His heart

6. a flower nose decoration

7. a crown of many tulasi garlands tied on a bamboo frame

8. and 12-foot-long flower garlands stretching from arm to arm

The main cloth, used daily for other costumes and for this offering, is a 12-meter-long piece of fine silk that is tied around the Lord's body. Only before taking rest, Jagannatha deva's head is covered with a 12-foot-long red silk cloth inscribed with slokas from Gita Govinda. It is said that Jayadeva's wife Padmavati used to portray the verses of Gita Govinda by dancing every night in the temple for the pleasure of Jagannatha Swami.

Lastly, at 1 a.m. the temple closes. Everyone goes home happy and satisfied, and Jagannatha Swami slips away to cavort in the rasa dance with the damsels of Vraja. In this outfit, Sri Jagannatha deva is completely adorned in aromatic flowers to appear like a lover (srngaraka) waiting for a tryst with the Vraja-gopis.

500 years ago, Sanatana Gosvami described the Bada sṛngara-vesa:

ratrau mahotsave vrtte, brhac-chrngara-sambhave

nirgamyate tu nirvrtte, puspanjali-mahotsave

"At night, there was a grand festival, with Jagannatha Swami dressed and ornamented in elaborate splendor (brhat-srngara). At the end of the festival, palmfuls of flowers were offered and then it was time to leave the temple." (Br. Bh. 2.1.176)