PURI: In a major departure from tradition, the arduous and secret ‘Brahma Parivartan’ (transfer of Brahma from old idols to the new ones) of four deities of Jagannath temple here, the most important ritual of Nabakalebara, was completed on Tuesday evening after a delay of several hours. The ritual, which has been traditionally performed in late night, was completed on Tuesday afternoon.
The Daitapatis, entrusted with ‘Brahma Parivartan’ on Monday night, entered the temple through the main gate at 10.30 pm and came out on Tuesday at about 5.30 pm. This was a major departure from the established tradition of the Nabakalebara ritual, opined devotees of Lord Jagannath.
While a section of Daitas attributed it to the inordinate delay in conclusion of the ongoing 11-day ‘Mahayajna’ in Koilibaikuntha, sources said it was the outcome of factionalism among the Daitas.
Many Daitapatis said the ‘yajna’ was to be concluded on Monday evening, but it ended at 3 am. Gajapati Dibyasingha Dev performed ‘Purnahuti’. At 5.30 pm on Tuesday, the Daitas came out of the temple main gate and went to Markanda Pokhari. After taking bath, they performed another set of rituals.
Kothasuansia, a set of servitors, were engaged in cremating the Parswadevatas, Horses, Sarathis, Kalashas and Olatasuas of the three old chariots.
The four temple gates were closed as soon as the Daitapatis entered it at about 10.30 pm on Monday to start ‘Brahma Parivartan’.
After ‘Purnahuti’, Swotriya Brahmins performed ‘Jibanyash’ (putting 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 PRO LD Pujapanda said they were clueless about the reason behind the delay and added that it was an internal matter of the Daitapatis. The temple administration has no role in the observance of ‘Brahma Parivartan’ after the Daitas enter the temple and the gates are closed, he said.
Jagannath Swainmahapatra, the Badagrahi of Lord Jagannath, said after coming out of the temple that ‘Brahma Parivartan’ was performed between 4 pm and 4.30 pm and everything was done in order.
As part of the secret rituals, the blindfolded priests brought out the ‘Brahma’ from the old idols and put them in the new idols in darkness. Later, the old idols were taken to Koilibaikuntha on the temple premises and buried.
