The Costumes or Veshas of Lord
Jagannath symbolize various cultural and religious syntheses in the shrine. Everyday from early morning to night the deities on the Ratnavedi wear different attires made of cotton and silk fabrics, Gold Ornaments studded with precious stones, flowers of different varieties, tulsi leaves etc. Sandal paste, camphor and some times musks are used in the daily and periodical rituals.
The sevaks of temple who dress the deities with clothing and flowers are known as Puspalaks or Singharis.
The 32 Veshas or costumes of the deities are mentioned below.
This Vesha is done everyday after Mangal Aarati for the Abakash rituals. The clothes which are worn by the deities for this purpose are known as "Tadapa" and "Uttariya".
This Vesha are the normal costumes of deities which they wear five times in a day, especially after each food offering. This Vesha comprises silken clothes and flower garlands.
This the last Vesha of the deities done everyday before the night "Pahuda". Bada Sringar Vesha is mostly of flowers of different colours and species. The deities wear silk clothes called 'Khandua'.
This vesha is done for 42 days starting from Akshayya Tritiya day.
On the full moon day in the month of Jyestha, after the bathing ceremony is over, the deities are dressed like elephants. Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra appear like Ganesh(the Elephant God).
On the 11th day in the bright fortnight of Ashada, Suna Vesha takes place, when the deities are in their respective chariots near the Lion's gate of Sree Jagannath temple. The deities are decorated with many gold ornaments. This vesha is also known as 'Bada Tadhau' vesha and Raja Vesha is also done on Dashahara, Kartik Purnima,Pousha purnima and Dola purnima.
It is done on the 10th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadraba. The deities are dressed as if going for a picnic, like cowherd boys.
The installation of the Triad Deities in the temple complex is believed to have been done on the full moon day of the month of Pausa (Dec-Jan). The Pausa Abhisek is done to commemorate the occasion.The deity appears like a regal emperor in full pomp attired in golden robes and garlands of different flower.
This Vesha is celebrated on Bhadrav Krushna Dwadasi every year. This Vesha commences after the completion of Madhyana Bhoga. This Vesha commemorates to killing of Demon Pralamba by God Balaram during the incarnation of Krishna. This Vesha is made on Balabhadra only while Jagannath & Subhadra remain in their normal attire.
This Vesha is done on the 13th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadraba. Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra are dressed like Lord Krishna and Balaram.
On the 12th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadraba, Lord Jagannath is dressed like "Bamana"(dwarf). Bamana is the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
From the 11th day of the bright fortnight of Ashwina to the 10th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika, this vesha takes place.
It is done on the 11th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika.
It is done on the 12th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika.
This is done on the 13th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika.
On the 14th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika, this is also known as Laxmi-Nrisimha Vesha.
This vesha is occasionally done in the month of Kartika, when there are six days of "Panchaka". The lords are dressed like warriors. In the recent past, this besha has been done on 16.11.1994. The previous four dates were 26.11.1993, 3.11.1968, 16.11.1967 and 26.11.1966.
During the period from the 6th day of the bright fortnight of Margasira to the 5th day of the bright fortnight of Magha(Basanta Panchami), the deities wear winter clothes.
From Basanta Panchami to Dola Purnima, the deities wear modified Ghoda(Winter dress).
This vesha is done on any saturday or Wednesday between the new moon day of Magha and Basanta Panchami. "Padma" means lotus. The dress materials made of lotus, "Sola" lace and paper,gum etc.
21. Gaja Uddharana Vesha
This Vesha is done on the full moon day of Magha. This Vesha depicts a story in the puranas as to how Lord Vishnu saved an elephant from the attack of an Alligator.
This Vesha is observed on Dola Purnima in each year also known as Raja Rajeswar Besha. This besha is as like as Suna vesha on the Chariot in front of Lions gate of Sri Mandir. This bhesha is mostly liked by the local kings of Orissa and they used to donate different golden ornaments bejwelled with valuable stones. The deities are decorated with 23rd type of golden ornaments.
On each year from Aswina Ekadasi to Kartik Dasami for one month, this Besha is observed on each day. On mythological belief reveals that while Akrura the emissary of Kansa taking Krushna and Balaram to Mathura took a bath in River Jamuna. Akrura saw this besha crossed dress materials at the time of under water. In this besha the deities wearing tri crossed dress materials at the time of besha. They adorned with Golden hands, Crowns made of bamboo plates and velvet clothing.
Every day the deities adorned with Chandana Lagi Vesha after evening Dhupa, schedule time of this Besha is 10 P.M . The attendants apply Chandan (Sandal Paste) on the body of the deities. During this vesha, the other attendant also present with sticks in their hands as a rite and offers betel to the deities.
Every year, between Phalguna Sukla Dashami to Chaturdasi, for five days, the deities are decorated with Chacheri Vesha. This Vesha commences during mid day. First Sandal Paste is applied on the bodies of deities. Special quality of cloths namely Bairani & Madhabali etc. are offered to Deities. The deities adorned with four ear rings locally called Kundala and two Tadagis.
This Vesha is observed on the 14th day of Shukla Paksha of Margasir Month. In accordance with Hindu culture, three deities offer Shradha Tarpan to their parents Nanda & Vasudev . On this day He also offers light (deepa) to King Indradyumna who built the temple as per legend. On this occasion Sri Jagannath wears 27 feet long cloth, Balabhadra 21 feet long cloth and Subhadra 18 feet long cloth. Their heads are covered with Sirikapada (a special form of cloth). This Vesha is observed before Chandan Lagi Vesha.
Each year this Vesha is observed on the day of Bhadrav Krushna Ekadasi. This Vesha commemorates the victory of Krishna on Kaliya, the multi hooded snake residing in the Kalandi lake on the banks of river Yamuna and forced him to quit the lake along with his family . A huge snake is built (30 feet) long for the Besha purpose. The hood of the snake is placed at the feet of Sri Jagannath at the time Besha . This Besha is continued till completion of Sandhya Dhupa.
Naba Jaubana Darshana is The Holy Sight of Juvenile Youth of Lord Jagannath. As Lord Jagannath falls ill after taking heavy bath during the Snaana Purnimaa (The Bathing Full Moon) and retires into the Anasara Ghara (The House of Rest). After a full fortnight’s treatment with herbs, complete rest and dieting; the Lord gets back his juvenile youth and He looks as enticing as ever.
The Lord is adorned in this Vesha in the month of Chaitra. In this Vesha, Lord Jagannath is adorned like Lord Shri Ram. He holds a bow and an arrow in the Vesha. Lakshman, Bharat, Shatrughna and Hanuman are made of solapith and wooden twigs and are displayed on the Ratnasinghasana. This Vesha is discontinued now.
This Vesha is observed during the Rath Yatra. The three deities wear a crowns called Tahiya.
At evening time the deities wear garlands made of Tulasi (Basil) leaves. The attire is long cloth with red colored border. Similar colored clothes are folded to form a turban over their heads. This attire of the Lord Jagannath is supposed to have been started by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and is taken by the Lord on the previous day of the Makar Sankranti.
