82. Festivals of Lord Jagannath

Festivals of Lord Jagannath:

There were only 12 annual religious festivals mentioned in the original text, but today more than 60 official festivals are performed each year, and many smaller ones, and a festival is observed nearly every other day. Devoted kings and supporters have added these extra celebrations in accordance with the Vedic calendar. Below is a listing and brief description of some of the more important festivals.

The 29th chapter of the Purushottama-mahātmya section of the Skanda Purana lists 12 original festivals that are considered in Jagannath Puri to be pradhana-yātrās or primary festivals.

The original 12 major festivals are also described in the Kalasana, a local book dealing with the rituals in the worship of Lord Jagannath (paja-paddhati), as follows:

manca-snanam rathavara-gatih

sayanam cayane dve

parsvavrttih sayaparihrtih

pravṛtih pusya-puja

dolakelir damanakam

aho 'ksayya-punya trtiya

yatrah skände hari-pratimayor

dvadaseti pranitah

12 major festivals are mentioned in the Skanda Purana in regards to Hari and His deity form:

1. Bathing on the platform (Snana-yatra)

2. Travelling on the excellent chariot (Ratha-yatra)

3..Going to sleep (Sayana-ekada)

4-5. The two paths (Uttarayana and Dakshinayana)

6. Changing sides during sleep (Pariva-ekadas)

7. Abandoning sleep (Devor- thapanotsau)

8. Putting on clothes (Odana-sasthi)

9. Being worshiped during the constellation pushya (Pushyabhisheka)

10. Riding on a swaying palanquin (Dola-yard)

11. Being worshiped with damana leaves (Damanakāropana-dvādas)

12. Auspicious, imperishable trtiya (Aksaya-mijā).

1. Snāna-yātrā, or Jyesthä-snäna:

On the full moon day of Jyestha (May-June), on His birthday (the day the deities were originally installed by Brahma, at the Gundicha temple), the bathing festival of Jagannath is observed in the temple. That day the wooden images of Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshan are carried to the Snan Mandap and they are bathed with 108 pitchers of water. Lord Jagannath requested King Indradyumna to excavate a well near a banyan tree next to the temple, take water only from that. After the bath, the deities wear Hati Vesa referred to earlier and in this costume they take their Bhog and give darsan to the public.

2. Anavasara/Renovation:

After the Snana yatra, the images are taken inside the temple, but are not seated in Ratna Simhasan as before.

The word Anavasara is used when Sri Jagannathji cannot be seen in the temple. After the bathing ceremony, Lord Jagannath is supposed to become sick. He is therefore removed to His private apartment. Lord Jagannath has a number of stalwart servants known as dayitas. These servants do not come from very high caste families, but because they are engaged in the service of the Lord, they have been elevated to a respected position. These servants take care of Lord Jagannath from the time of Snana Yatra up to the time the Lord is carried from His throne to the Ratha car.

The few dayitas who do come from the brahmana caste offer food such as sweetmeats to the Lord during the 15-day resting period after the bathing festival. During the Anavasara festival it is said that Lord Jagannath suffers from fever; and is offered an infusion of drugs represented by fruit juice.

This 15-day resting and renovation period is also called "Nibhrta", in honour of the solitary place where the Supreme goddess of fortune lives.

Lord Jagannath lives there in seclusion enjoying svakiya rasa in the company of His wife, Lakshmi, the Supreme goddess of fortune. Then He asks Her permission to leave and comes out for His Ratha-Yatra/chariot festival. (M13/8, 23, 24)

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu felt Lord Jagannath's absence from the temple very much. There are many who visit the temple to see the Lord regularly every day, and for them His retirement after the bathing is unbearable. (M11/62)

3. Anga Raga / Nava Yauvana:

The body of Lord Jagannath having been washed, needs repainting. This is known as "Anga-Raga". It takes about a fortnight to complete the repairs of Lord Jagannath's body.

4. Netrotsava (Reappearance):

After two weeks absence, Lord Jagannath reappears. This renovation festival is also called "Nava-Yauvana", which indicates that the Jagannath deity is being fully restored to youth & is performed gorgeously in the morning of the Nava-Yauvan day constitutes the life and soul of the devotees. (M1/122, M10/41, M12/204)

There are many regulative principles of deity worship. For example, one is not allowed to enter the room where food is offered to Lord Jagannath. However, in this case, being very anxious due to not seeing the Lord for 15 days, all the people overruled regulative principles and entered the room. (M12/204,10)

5. Ratha-yatra or Gundica-yatra - the chariot festival:

Rath Yatra is the most important festival of Jagannath. The Car-festival of Puri is known to the whole world. This festival is held on the 2nd day of the bright half of the month of Aşadha (June-July).

On the 2nd day the wooden images proceed to Gundicha temple in three Raths (cars) and on the 10th day they return. This day of return is known as Bahuda Yatra. Rath Yatra is also called Gundicha Yatra, after the name of the said temple and that of the queen of Indradyumna.

From the 2nd to the 10th day of the fortnight Jagannath stays in Gundicha temple along with His elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. All the routine rites are observed in the Gundicha temple during this period in the same manner as in the main temple.

The car of Jagannath is called “Nandighosh”, that of Balabhadra is “Taladhwaj” and that of Subhadra, the name is “Debadalan”. Sudarshan is placed in the car of Subhadra. The car of Jagannath is wrapped in yellow cloth, that of Balabhadra in green cloth and that of Subhadra in black cloth. These cars are fitted with 16, 14 and 12 wheels respectively. Each car contains Parswa devatas (subsidiary deities) on all sides, ancient rishis (sages) at the top and Gandharvas and Apsaras in the middle. The process of carrying the wooden images to the respective cars is known as “Pahandi”. After Pahandi, the Raja of Puri sweeps the floor of the cars with a golden broom-stick and sprinkles sandal-powder. Then the pilgrims and devotees drag the cars with the images seated thereon towards Gundicha temple with great rejoice.

During this occasion a large number of people visiting Puri from all parts of India and even outside India get the opportunity of darsan of Jagannath very closely. For this, their sins are washed away, and they attain salvation. Therefore, this festival is referred to as “Patita pavan Mahotsav”.

Since Jagannath participates in the car festival with His brother and sister, His wife Lakshmi becomes angry. On the next 5th day of the fortnight called Hera Panchami she proceeds to Gundicha temple herself and expresses her anger by breaking a portion of his car. After staying in the Gundicha temple for a period of 7 days, the deities are again seated on Their respective cars in the same process and the cars are dragged back to the main temple. This is known as 'Bahuda' or Return Car festival. On the 9th day (the day preceding Bahuda), the sacred darsan of Jagannath in the Gundicha temple is called “Adap darsan” or “Sandhya darsan”. On the day of Bahuda, Jagannath, while returning, stops at the temple of Ardhasani or Mausima and Poda Pitha (a cake) is offered to Him as Bhog. On that day the Raja arranges a meeting between Jagannath and Lakshmi near the palace. The deities stay in front of the Lions gate in their respective cars for 3 days and then they enter into the temple. On the 11th day (day following Bahuda), the deities wear Suna Vesa and on the 12th day a special drink called “Adhar Pana” is offered. While returning to the main temple, a feign quarrel takes place between Lakshmi and Jagannath. Finally, Lakshmi is pacified and Jagannath enters the temple.

6. Hari-sayana-ekadasi or Sayana-yard:

It is when Lord Vishnu goes to sleep in Vaikuntha for the 4 months known as caturmasya, observed on the 11th day of the bright half of the month of Asadha. That day Vishnu goes to sleep. Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra are still on their carts when this festival takes place. The priest known as the bhandara-mekāpa beings out the deity of Ananta from the temple and places Him on Balaram's cart. Similarly, the deity of Narayan comes onto the cart of Jagannath, and Bhuvaneswari comes onto Subhadra's. They are worshiped with Bandapana (a customary rite denoting honour) and then taken back to the temple where they are put to rest for 4 months in Their bedroom.

7. Karka-sankranti or Dakshinayana:

This function is observed on the Karkata Sankranti day. Since the Sun commences his journey to the southern hemisphere, a special Bandapana of the deities etc, is held to mark the occasion.

Summer solstice, Dakshinayana - when the sun begins to go south.

Winter solstice, Uttarayana or Makara-sankranti - when the sun starts moving towards the north.

8. Makara Sankranti:

On the Makara Sankranti day, Jagannath wears Makar Chaula (a sort of head-dress). The previous day, rice was consecrated (Adhibasa) and on the festive day, coconut, clarified butter and different spices were mixed with the said rice to prepare a dish known as Makar Chaula. This food is offered to the deity as Bhog. This Makar Chaula is taken around the temple in a procession, which is known as Makar Bedha.

9. Parsva-parivartana:

The halfway point in the period of caturmasya, when Lord Vishnu turns over in His sleep, observed on the 11th day of the bright half of the month of Bhadra (August-September).

10. Devotthapanotsava or Devotthäni-ekadasi or Hari Utthapana Ekadasi:

The 11th day bright Kartika (October-November) is called Hari Utthapan Ekadasi. That day Lord Vishnu wakes up after enjoying a sleep for the 4 rainy months (Chaturmasya). Therefore, that day, the three images are awakened in the bedroom itself.

11. Odana-sasthi or Prabaran:

The first day of winter, which initiates the offering of a woolen cloth to Lord Jagannath to help keep Him warm, observed on the 6th day of the bright half of the month of Margasirsa (November-December) called Prabaran (Odhana) Sasthi. From that day onwards till Basant Panchami, the wooden images of Jagannath etc, are covered with Ghoda (thick clothes).

That covering is directly purchased from a weaver. According to the arcana-marga, a cloth should first be washed to remove all the starch, then it can be used to cover the Lord.

Pundarika Vidyanidhi saw that the priest neglected to wash the cloth before covering Lord Jagannath. Since he wanted to find some fault in the devotees, he became indignant. That night the brothers, Lord Jagannath and Lord Balaram came to Pundarika Vidyanidhi, and smiling, began to slap him. Although his cheeks were swollen from the slapping, Pundarika Vidyanidhi woke up feeling supreme joy within. (Cc. 2.16.76-81)

12. Pushyabhisheka or Pushya-snana:

Flower bathing festival observed on the full-moon day of the month of Pausa (December-January). That day Jagannath is bathed (Abhishek) and is dressed like a sovereign emperor.

13. Dolotsava or Dola-yatra:

From the 10th day of bright Phalgun till the full moon day, festivals known as Chacheri and Dola are celebrated. It is observed at the Dola Mandap outside of the temple with the festival deity known as "Dola Govinda", observed on the full moon day of the month of Phalguna (February-March).

On the full-moon day, the festival deity known as Dola Govind representing Jagannath, along with Lakshmi and Saraswati are taken to Dolabedi outside of the temple, where they are worshipped. A play with coloured powder among the three deities is the chief attraction of this day. That day, these deities are offered Bhog in different places of the temple, where Bandapana is also done to Them.

14. Damana-bhañjana, Damanaka-caturdaši, or Dayand-chori-utsava:

It is the festival of decorating the deity with the leaves of the dayana plant, observed on the 13th and 14th days of the bright half of the month of Caitra (March-April).

On the 14th day of bright Chaitra, Damanak Chaturdasi is observed. That day Jagannath had forcibly collected Dayana leaves from the Nandan garden of Indra and had worn them in His hands. This festival is observed in memory of the said incident. Functions connected with Dayana Chori are held in Jagannath Vallabh Math in the presence of the metallic images of Rama and Krishna representing Jagannath.

15. Akshaya-trtiya or Chandana-yatra:

It is a festival for the summer season when the deities are daily smeared in cooling chandana, sandalwood paste. This festival is held for 21 days commencing on the 3rd day of the bright half of the month of Vaisakha(April-May). The first day is known as Akshay Tritiya. The metallic images of Rama, Krishna, Madan Mohan, Lakshmi, Saraswati and five Pandavas are carried to the Narendra tank on their respective Bimans (chariots carried on human shoulders). In the tank, the images are placed in two Chaps (boat-houses) and moved around the Narendra tank. Thereafter the images are carried to a house known as Chandan Ghar inside the tank, where they are bathed for some time in scented water. Then they are dressed and decorated and then food offerings are made. Finally, another round of cruise takes place with the said Chaps and the images return to the main temple. The last day is known as Bhaunri.

16. Trayodasa-yatra/Niladri Mahodaya:

It is considered to be a secret. This is the day when Jagannath was originally installed in the Sri Mandir in Satya-yuga. Therefore, on this day, a special Abhishek (bath) is performed for the deities. It takes place on the 10th day of the bright half of the month of Vaisakha (April-May)."

Govinda, The Festival Deity:

Govinda is the vijaya-vigraha in the temple of Lord Jagannath. When there is a need to take Lord Jagannath somewhere, the vijaya-vigraha is taken because the body of Lord Jagannath is very heavy. For water pastimes in Narendra Sarovara, the Govinda deity is carried instead of Lord Jagannath.