ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review

Twelve Festivals of Lord Jagannath

Balabhadra Ghadai

T he grand temple of Lord Jagannath is famous

for if unique ritualistic practices as well as
various functions observed throughout the year.
Traditionally, twelve months are fixed for
Dwadasa Yatras or twelve festivals but in reality
more than fifty six festivals are observed
throughout the year.
1. Snana Yatra:- The annual cycle of the
festival begins with SnanaYatra or Bathing Festival
which falls on the full-moon day of Jyestha (May- as ‘Daitapati’ perform certain secret rituals of the
June). The three deities along with Sudarsana and deities. These rituals are called ‘Anasarariti’. On
Madanmohan are brought out from the Pratipadatithi i.e. the day before the Car Festival,
Garbhagruha(Sanctum Sanctorum) of the temple the deities give ‘Darshan’ to thousands of eager
and taken in a traditional ritual procession called devotees which is known as ‘Navajauvana
Pahandi and placed on the Snanabedi situated in Darshan’. A special rite called Netrotsav
the north-east corner of the Bahara Bedha(outer (Festival for eyes) or Navayauvana (Festival of
enclosure). The deities are bathed there with 108 the new youth) takes place on this occasion. On
pitchers of water from a well called Suna Kua this day onwards, the Car Festival actually starts
(Golden well) near the Uttara Dwara (North till the deities return back to the Main Temple.
gate), which is used once on this occasion. 2. Ratha Yatra:- The world famous
After the bathing ceremony the deities are RathaYatra or GundichaYatra of Lord Jagannath
dressed like Ganesha (the Elephant God). At is celebrated annually on the second day of the
night, the deities return to the temple in a bright fortnight of Asadha (June-July). This Yatra
procession and again they are placed (except being one of the much awaited Hindu festivals,
Madanamohan) in a place called Anasara attract pilgrims from all over the world. On the
Pindi.They remain there unexposed to the public Car Festival day, the deities are taken out of the
view for a period of fifteen days. During this temple and placed in their respective chariots,
period, the servitors of a particular group known kept near the Simhadwara. In the three chariots

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namely Taladhwaja for Lord Balabhadra, Makara(Capricorn) to Karkata(Cancer). A

Devadalana for Goddes Subhadra and special recipe of raw rice soaked in water the
Nandighosa for Lord Jagannath, all deities are previous night and mixed with coconut gratings,
carried to GundichaGhara located at a distance clarified butter, spices and jaggery etc. (known
of about 3 kms from the temple. On the ninth as Makara Chula) is prepared and offered as
day, i.e. return Car Festival day, the deities are Bhoga to Lord Jagannath. This is taken around
brought to the Simhadwara area of the Jagannath Badadeula in a procession which is called ‘Makar
Temple. Bedha’.

3. Sayana Ekadashi:-This festival takes 6. Parswaparivartana:-This festival takes

place on the 11th day of bright Ashadha, when place on the 11th day of the bright fortnight in the
the deities are still in chariots in the Lion Gate month of Bhadraba. The deities enjoying sleep
after the Return Car Festival. On this occasion, change sides on this day.
the images of Vasudeva, Bhubaneswari and 7. Hari Utthapana Ekadasi:- This festival
Narayan are taken to the chariots. After some is observed on Kartika Sukla Ekadasi Tithi, i.e.
rites are performed there, these images are taken 11th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika
to the ‘Chamber of Slumber’ for enjoying (October-November). On this day, the deities
complete rest for four months. It is believed that rise from their slumber after enjoying a sleep for
Vishnu falls asleep in Ksheerasagara-cosmic the four rainy months (Chaturmasya).
ocean of milk on Seshanaga, the cosmic serpent. 8. Prabarana Sasthi / Odhana Sasthi:-
Thus, the day is also called Deva Shayani Ekadashi It is observed on the Sukla Pakhya Sasthi in the
or Hari-Shayani Ekadashi. Vishnu finally awakens lunar month of Margasira (November-
from his slumber four months later on Prabodhini December). From this day Ghodalagi of the
Ekadashi, the eleventh day of bright fortnight in deities begins and the bodies of the deities are
the Hindu month Kartika (October-November). covered with colour woollen cloth specific for
these days till Magha Sukla Panchami or Basanta
4. Dakshinayana Yatra:- This festival
Panchami i.e. the 5th day of bright Magha
takes place on the day of Karkata Sankranti.
(January-February).
Special rites are performed on this day as the Sun
begins to move to the autumnal equinox. 9. Pushyabhiseka:- On the Sukla Pakhya
Purnami in the lunar month of Pausa, special attire
5. Uttarayana Yatra:- In the temple of of the deities is performed. The deities are dressed
Lord Jagannath, Makara Sankranti is observed in Suna Besha (God attire) on the Ratnasimhasana.
as UttarayanaYatra. Astronomically, on this day Since Lord Ramachandra’s coronation ceremony
the Sun starts moving towards northern was celebrated at Ayodhya on this day, this festival
hemisphere i.e. from the Zodiac sign of is also known as Ramabhiseka.

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10. Dola Yatra:- The famous Dola Festival images of Lord Shiva from five Shiva temples
of the deities is celebrated from Phalguna Sukla known as Pancha Pandava are taken in a
Dasami Tithi i.e. the 10th day of the bright fortnight procession from the Simhadwara or the Lion's
of Phalguna(February-March) upto Phalguna Gate of the temple to the Narendra Tirtha Tank
Purnami, i.e. the full-moon day. On Phalguna on their respective Bimanas (Chariots carried on
Purnami, the image of Lord Dolagobinda human shoulders). In the Narendra tank, the
representing Jagannath Mahaprabhu along with images play in two beautifully decorated and
Devi Lakshmi and Devi Saraswati are taken in a illuminated Chapas (boat houses) and
procession to a dias called DolaVedi located worshipped. They are generally taken around the
outside the main temple and special nitis are tank in these Chapas. Then they are carried to a
performed. house known as Chandana Ghara inside the tank,
11. Damanaka Chori (Dayana Lagi):- where they are bathed for some time in scented
On the 13th and 14th day of the bright fortnight water. Thereafter, they are dressed and decorated
in the month of Chaitra (April), the Damanaka and Bhoga or food offerings are made. Finally,
Chori Festival is observed. On this occasion the second round of cruise takes place with the said
deities, Rama and Krushna march in a procession Chapas and then the images return to the main
to the flower garden, called JagannathVallabha temple. The last day of the first phase of the
Matha from where they steal the tender leaves of ChandanaYatra is called Bhaunri. Thousands of
the Dayana. Next day these leaves are offered to people enjoy this festival with great delight.
deities in great solemnity. The second phase of 21 days known as
12. Chandan Yatra:- The ChandanYatra or Bhitara Chandana is celebrated inside the main
the Sandal Festival lasting over 42 days, is an temple. On this occasion the images are placed
important festival next to the Car Festival and in brass pots containing water scented with
SnanaYatra. It is observed both inside and outside sandalwood which are kept on a special platform
the temple. The part of the festival outside the called Jalakrida Mandapa i.e. water play platform.
temple is called Bhahara Chandana or outer This is the platform on which the wedding of
Chandana which lasts for 21 days and the festival Krishna with Rukmini takes place during this
inside the temple, the Bhitara Chandana or Inner period.
Chandana is observed for another 21 days.
Bahara Chandana starts from Akshaya Tritiya
and construction of the Chariot for the annual
Ratha Yatra Festival starts from this day. During
the first 21 days, the representative idols of the Balabhadra Ghadai, Principal, Maa Kichakeswari
main deities of the Jagannath Temple as well as College, Khiching, Mayurbhanj.

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