New idols replace old ones in Jagannath temple

Rajkumar MohantyPuri, June 16: The devotees of Jagannath cult were shocked following flouting of norms of observance of Ghata Parivartan (transfer of Brahma from old idols to new ones) ritual by the Daiapatis at the Sri Jagannath temple here today.The Ghata Parivartan or replacement of old idols with new ones, slated for Monday night, was performed on the Tuesday afternoon after a delay of about 18 hours.The Daitapatis entrusted to do Ghata Parivartan entered into temple through main gate on Monday night at 10.30 pm.They came out of the temple on Tuesday at about 5.30 pm.This is a major departure from the established norms of the Nabakalebara manual, according to the devotees of Lord Jagannath.While a section of Daitas attribute the cause of delay to inordinate delay in concluding of ongoing 11-da-long Maha Yajna in the Koili Baikuntha, sources said it was the outcome of faction fight among the Daitas.Many Daitapatis said the Yajna was to be concluded in the Monday evening while Yajna ended by 3 am on Tuesday.Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb performed Purna Ahuti.On the Tuesday at about 5.30 pm Daitas came out of the temple main gate and went to Markanda tank.They returned to temple again after bathing to perform another set of rituals.Kothasuansia, a set of servitors were engaged in cremating the Parswadavatas, horses, Sarathis, Kalashas and Olata Suas of the three Raths (chariots) in use since the last Nabakalebara observed in 1996.The four temple gates were closed as soon as Daitapatis entered the temple about 10.30 pm in the Monday night to initiate the Ghata Parivartan ceremony.After Purna Ahuti, the Shrotriya Brahmins performed `Jibanyash’ (put life force) of the Darus and dressed them in Khandua (special silk attire).They left the temple along with the Biswakarmas.Patimahapatra offered Bhog to the Darus.Sri Jagannath Temple Administration PRO L.D.Pujapanda said they were clueless as to the cause of the delay and said it was the internal afire of the Daitapatis as the temple administration has nothing to do with the observance of the Ghata Parivartan ritual after the Daitas entered into temple and gates were closed.Jagannath Swainmahapatra, the Badagrahi of Lord Jagannath after coming out of the temple today told the media that the Ghata Parivartan was performed between 4 to 4.30 pm on Tuesday and everything was in order and done perfectly.Ramachandra Das Mahapatra, the Badagrahi of Subhadra said it was the Gods will while an emotional Ramakrushna Dasmahapatra said it was a very difficult situation to bid adieu to the old idols with whom they had spent 19 years.On the Tuesday afternoon, the four Badagrahis of the four deities entrusted for Ghata Parivartan took out the Brahmas from the old idols of lord Jagannath, his elder Balabhadra, sister Subhadra and Sudarshan and placed them on four Khatulis and then Patimahapatra accorded the Brahmas holy Basil water bath.Then almost all the Daitas had darshan of the Brahmas and offered pranami dakshina before the Brahmas.Thereafter the Badagrahis put the Brahmas in the naval cavity of the four new idols which were placed facing each other and sealed the naval cavity doors.Several layers of silk cloth were tied around the naval area of the deities called Bajraganthi.Another set of Daitas took the four old idols to the Koili Baikuntha and buried them in the pit dug earlier in the Koili Baikuntha the ceremony is called `Patali’.Reports of faction fight among sections of Daitas caused the delay has become a topic of hot discussion.Daita community consider them as the family of the deities would observe condolence for the departing old idols for ten days they would observe the rituals like a Hindu family observes for death of a family head called Sudhi Kriya.The male members would tonsure their heads on the Dashami.On the Trayodashi day (June 27), they would distribute free Mahaprasad among lakhs of devotees on the Bada Danda.