Dwadas Yatras of Sri Jagannath

is also lightened with earthen lamps (Dipa) and
prayer is offered to Almighty for restoration of
peace, security and prosperity of the King and
his kingdom. In this month Ghodolagi begins. It
means covering of body with clothes to protect
from winter.
In the month of Pausa, Pahilibhog
ceremony is observed throughout the month. A
special cake is prepared out of blackgram wheat
flour and cow's ghee. On full moon day, the deities
are decorated with Golden Rajavesha and
coronation ceremony is also observed. On this
day Sri Rama's coronation ceremony was
celebrated at Ayodhya in the Ramayana days.
In the month of Magha, Padma vesha and
Gajauddharana vesha are performed.
In Falguna the famous Dola festival of the
Lords begins. After getting permission, Sri
Saraswati, Sri Laxmi, Sri Dolagovind and
Madanmohan come to Dolavedi (alter) where the
deities play with red colour powder i.e. called
Fagu or Abira.
In the month of Chaitra, the birthday
ceremony of Sri Rama is observed. The movable
representative deity Sri Rama after getting
permission from Sri Jagannath takes part in such
rites and rituals. All activities and plays from his
childhood till killing of the demon king Ravan are
customarily and traditionally observed. In this
cultural yatra, there comes active participation
of local inhabitants.
In Baisakha begins the Chaitra Gundicha
yatra i.e. Chandan Festival for 42 days. Out of
these days, only twentyone days are observed
outside the temple in the sacred Narendra Tank.
Two decorated boats are used for the boating
ceremony. In the first boat, Sri Balaram and
Srikrishna and five famous Sivas of Srikhetra such
as Jameswar, Lokanath, Markandeswar,
Kapalamochan and Nilakantheswar use to sit. In
the second boat Sri Madanmohan Dev,
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Orissa Review * July - 2005
representative of Sri Jagannath alongwith mother
Laxmi and Saraswati sits together. After boating
of first phase, deities are carried to a small temple
inside the Tank. Inside the temple, there is a small
sweet scented water tank. Together Sri
Madanmohan, Laxmi and Saraswati use to have
secret play and enjoyment for some hours. None
is permitted to see this bathing ceremony. The
doors remain closed under lock and key. Other
deities use to take bath in different tanks openly.
On the beginning day of boating ceremony,
the Ratha preparation is being permitted by the
Lords with performance of rites and rituals. Thus
the above twelve festivals are observed for the
Lords in twelve months. Harmony and balance
have been maintained in all rites and rituals and in
all festivals in order to establish a sense of unity
among all castes, sects and religious faiths. Lord
Jagannath is Purusottama. This has been well
narrated in the first line of Bhismadeva's answer
to the six questions of Judhisthira as mentioned in
Visnusahasranama. He has been addressed as
Atmayoni and Swayamjata which mean that
Almighty Purusottama has no mother. He himself
is the Creator and Destroyer, and Operator as
mother. Thus he is both mother and father. He is
both thesis and synthesis. The cultural values are
unity, uniformity and universality. Lord Balabhadra
and Goddess Subhadra are inseparable part of
Sri Jagannath. That is why He is the main presiding
deity recognised and worshipped by all sects, and
devotees of all religious faiths. His Bhoga
mahaprasad is world famous. It has established
socialism by derecognising the casteism, colour
feeling and creed and special privilege. Nowhere
in the religious arena ever exists such culture
which is unique and incomparable.
Banamali Suar is an Advocate who lives at Dolamandap
Sahi, Puri. He is also a Sevayat in Lord Jagannath Temple,
Puri.