Logo of Nabakalebara,
2015
The idols of Lord
Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra in the Jagannath Temple are made
of neem wood. These idols at the
original temple at Puri in Odisha are changed once in 8, 11, 19 or 27 years, that is,
in the year which has two Ashadh
months as per the Hindu almanac. During the last 100 years, nabakalebara has been performed in 1912, 1931, 1950, 1969, 1977 and 1996.
During nabakalebara, new idols of the deities are carved from the sacred wood in Koili Baikuntha. The Bramha in the old idols are transferred to the new idols in a secret ritual in the dark, at midnight, by 3 selected priests whose eyes are blind-folded and palms are covered with cloth. All the doors to the temple are closed and all lights in the entire temple-premises are switched off at that time. Nobody has ever seen or touched the Bramha. The old idols, after transfer of Bramha, are buried in Koili Baikuntha, a spot inside the temple-complex.) Nabakalebar is due this year and will be performed on June 15, 2015.The process of change of idols is called ghata parivartan.
During nabakalebara, new idols of the deities are carved from the sacred wood in Koili Baikuntha. The Bramha in the old idols are transferred to the new idols in a secret ritual in the dark, at midnight, by 3 selected priests whose eyes are blind-folded and palms are covered with cloth. All the doors to the temple are closed and all lights in the entire temple-premises are switched off at that time. Nobody has ever seen or touched the Bramha. The old idols, after transfer of Bramha, are buried in Koili Baikuntha, a spot inside the temple-complex.) Nabakalebar is due this year and will be performed on June 15, 2015.The process of change of idols is called ghata parivartan.
After an elaborate
ritual, the trees the wood of which is to be used for carving the new idols are
identified.
The trees selected
must have specified divine characteristics.
One of such
characteristics is that there should not be any bird-nest on it. However a tree
on which an owl has set up its nest is an exception; indeed, this is considered
as auspicious as owl is the bahan
(vehicle) of Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Jagannath.
This year, the
tree identified as Daru (sacred wood)
from which the new idol of Lord Jagannath will be carved, had an owl-nest. The
nest had two adult owls and three hatchlings. Since owls are among the
protected species in India, every care was taken not to harm the owls and their
offspring.
The Government
instructed the concerned District Collector for making arrangement for safe
removal of the owls. The Collector requisitioned the services of experts from
the Forest Department for transferring the owl-family to a safe place. The
experts reached near the identified auspicious tree. However, the sevaks who had gone to bring the daru (auspicious wood of the identified neem tree) did not allow them to climb
the holy tree for removing the owls as no one is allowed to touch the holy tree
with his or her feet. So the experts had to go back without accomplishing their
mission.
The holy rituals
were started for worshipfully felling the tree. Thousands of people thronged
the area to have a darshan of the maha daru. As a part of the rituals,
during the puja, drums were beaten,
cymbals were played and homa (holy
fire) was lit. In spite of the
cacophony, the owls never left the tree.
Experts from the
Forest Department were called back. They keenly watched the whole process, for
ensuring that no harm was caused to the owl-family. The tree was finally felled
and just when it was touching the ground, the two adult birds flew away. The
three hatchlings, unable to fly, had no option but to cling to the nest.
The bird-experts
then carefully transferred the young owls to a cage and took them to zoological
garden Nandan Kanan near Bhubaneswar.
Bird-doctors examined the health of hatchlings.
The young owls
have been kept in a protected area and are under close observation and
intensive care.
I hope that they
will survive and grow to their full potential. After they grow up, they are
bound to be special guests at the unique park.
Meanwhile, let us wait till 2034 for the next nabakalebar!
N B:
The logo of nabakalebara this year depicts the daru (holy wood) from which the idols are made. The circle and the dark dot on its left side represent the chakaa akhi (round eyes of Lord Jagannath. On its top is the upper half of neela chakra (blue flag-staff) at the top of the the Lord's temple.
ADDENDA:
Meanwhile, let us wait till 2034 for the next nabakalebar!
N B:
The logo of nabakalebara this year depicts the daru (holy wood) from which the idols are made. The circle and the dark dot on its left side represent the chakaa akhi (round eyes of Lord Jagannath. On its top is the upper half of neela chakra (blue flag-staff) at the top of the the Lord's temple.
ADDENDA:
Commemorative Postage Stamp to be Released to Mark Nabakalebara, 2015
Sand Art on Puri Beach, on Nabakalebara by the Internationally Renowned Sand Artist Sudarshan Pattanaik of Odisha
Sand Art Animation Film on Nabakalebara by Sudarshan Pattanaik
The age of the three hatchlings was about two to two and a half months when they were brought to Nandan Kanan Zoological Garden. They were treated as very special guests there and every care was taken there for them to grow up. On the 25th June, when they had become able to fly, they were taken to the place from where they had been brought and were released there. As per Wild Life Act, rescued animals/birds, after their healing, are to be released at the same place from where they are brought.
The young owls, when released, immediately displayed their newly-acquired flying prowess and flew away blithely into the blue sky, to the delight of their former caretakers.
