INDIAN DIASPORA TRADITION AND CULTURE
carved by a special team of carpenters.
The carving takes place in a special
enclosure, known as Koili Baikuntha,
accessed via the temple’s north gate.
Lord Krishna is believed to have been
cremated there, after being accidentally
killed by hunter Jara Savara.
The creation of new idols and
destruction of the old idols symbolizes
reincarnation.
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Devotional songs and prayers from
the Vedas are chanted continuously
outside the area where the new idols
are being carved from the neem wood.
Once they’re completed, the new idols
are carried inside the inner sanctum of
the temple and placed facing the old
idols. The supreme power (Brahma)
is then transferred from the old to the
new idols, in a ritual known as Brahma
Paribartan (Changing the Soul).
This ritual is carried out in privacy.
The priest performing the ritual is
blindfolded, and his hands and feet are
wrapped in thick layers of cloth, so that
he can’t see or feel the transfer.
Once the ritual is complete, the new
idols are seated on their throne. The
old idols are taken to Koili Baikuntha
and buried there in a sacred ceremony
before dawn. It’s said that if anybody
sees this ceremony, apart from the
priests who perform it, they will die. As
a result, the state government orders
a full blackout of lights in Puri on the
night the ceremony is performed.
Afterwards, the temple rituals
recommence as normal. Flowers and
new garments are given to the deities,
food is offered, and pujas (worship) are
performed.
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Pulling Of The Chariot:
The pulling of the chariot start after the given
time frame. The wooden horses are fixed
before staring of the pulling of the chariot. It
starts with Lord Balavendra and then the Ratha
of Devi Subhadra is pulled. At the end of the
pulling of the chariot of Lord Jagannatha is
performed. No Chariot pulling is done after
sunset. Usually on the second day three
chariots reaches Gundicha Ghar or Gundicha
temple.