32 Amazing Veshas of Lord Shree Jagannath – Everyday from early morning to night the deities on the Ratna vedi 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. Besides changing the dresses daily there are certain veshas which the deities use on some special occasions falling in different part of the year.
The 32 Veshas of the Deities are mentioned below. Please browse through the pages.
1. Abakasha (Tadapa uttari) Vesha
Abakash Vesha is done early every morning after Mangal Arati of the Deities, for the Abakash rituals (system of bath). At this time the Deities wear Tadapa (napkins), which have a white and orange colour border cloth measuring 16′ x 4′, along with Uttariya (Salwar). Then the Deities take teeth brushing, tongue cleaning and bathing in front of a mirror by Panchamrita (milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey). This system is known as Abakash or Abhisekh Vesha (Bath Decoration).
2. Sadha Vesha
Sadha Vesha is the normal costume of the Deities, which they wear five times in a day, especially after each food offering. This Vesha is done with silken clothes and flower garlands.
3. Bada Sringar Vesha
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’.
4. Chandan Vesha
Chandan Vesha is done for 42 days, every third bright day of the month Baisakh (April-May) starting from Akhyatritiya day. Faring, sandal paste oil on the body of Deity and decoration of flowers (Chula, Alaka, Topar) is known as Chandan Vesha. The first 21 days from Akhyatritiya are known as ‘outer Chandan yatra’, and the second 21 days are known as ‘inner chandan yatra’. In the first 21 days beginning from Akhyatritiya, the Lord Madan-mohan, representative of Lord Jagannath, along with Sree Devi (Laxmi) and Bhudevi (Saraswati) ascending on Biman, Ram and Kirhsna in a palki along with local Sivas (Jameswar, Loknath, Kapal-mochan, Markandeswar and Nilkanth) go in procession to the Narendra Tank for a bath and boat journey pastime.
5. Ganapati or Hathi Vesha
On the full moon day in the month of Jyestha (May-June), Deb Snana Purnima falls. This is one of the famous festivals of Lord Jagannath out of the thirteen major festivals at Srimandir. On this day the Deities come down from the ratnavedi to snan-mandap to give darshan to the devotees. The Deities used to take practical bath on this day. After the bathing ceremony is over, the Deities are decorated in the shape of elephants. Black materials are supplied by Gopal Tirtha Matha and Ragabdas Matha of Puri, with a request of devotee Sri Ganapati Bhatta. This Vesha is well known as Hati Vesha (Elephant dressing).
6. Suna – Gold Vesha
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.
7. Banabhoji Vesha
On the 10th day of dark Bhadraba (Aug-Sept), the Banabhoji Vesha is continuing in Srimandir. The Deities are dressed as if going to attend a picnic, like cowherd boys. In Krishna lila, Lord Krishna and his elder brother Balaram and a group of cows went out into the forest for a picnic. Reminding of this pastime, Banabhoji Vesha is still continuing in Srimandir. This Vesha is very beautiful.
8. Pausha Abhisheka Vesha
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.
9. Pralambasura Badha Vesha
The 12th day of dark of Bhadraba (Aug-Sept) is celebrated as the Pralambasura Baddha Vesha, and celebrates the killing of a demon named Palambasura by Balabhadra. From the 16th century AD this Vesha has continued at Srimandir, as it is mentioned in Madala Pariji (history of Raja Bhoj). Lord Balabhadra wears the decoration known as the Palambasura Baddha Vesha.
10. Krishna Balarama Vesha
On the 13th day of dark Bhadraba (Aug-Sept), Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra are decorated as Sri Krishna and Balaram, respectively. This is not an ancient Vesha, but has been going on for just the last 55 years or so. In this Vesha, Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra are decorated with two extra hands and Goddess Subhadra is decorated with extra four hands (chatur-bhuja). Two hands are for offering protection and the other two hands are for holding rope and Ankush. This Vesha is also known as Ram-Balaram Vesha.
11. Bali Baman Vesha
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.
12. Radha Damodar Vesha – Rai Damodar Vesha
From the 11th day of the month of Ashwena (Sept-Oct) until the 10th bright day of the month of Kartik (Oct-Nov) is known as Radha-Damodar month. In these days Lord Jagannath is decorated as Damodar (Sri Krishna). Permission is obtained from Sridevi (Laxmi). The Lord here is worshiping along with Radha. This Vesha is known as Rai-Damodar Vesha, or Radha-Damodar Vesha.
13. Thiakia(Laxmi-Narayan) Vesha
It is done on the 11th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika.
14. Bankachula Vesha
It is done on the 12th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika.
15. Adakia(Tribikrama) Vesha
This is done on the 13th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika.
16. Dalikia Vesha
On the 14th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika, this is also known as Laxmi-Nrisimha Vesha.
17. Nagarjuna 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.
18. Ghodalagi Vesha
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.
19. Jamalagi Vesha
From Basanta Panchami to Dola Purnima, the deities wear modified Ghoda(Winter dress).
20. Padma Vesha
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.
22. Dola Purnami Suna Vesha
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.
23. Radha Damodar Vesha:
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.
24. Chandana Lagi Vesha:
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.
25. Giri Govardhana Vesha
26. Chacheri Vesha:
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.
27. Shradha Vesha:
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.
28. Kaliya Dalana 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.
29. Naba Jaubana Vesha:
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.
30. Raghunatha Vesha
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.
31. Tahiya Lagi Besha:
This Vesha is observed during the Rath Yatra. The three deities wear a crowns called Tahiya.
32. Nabank Vesha:
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.
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