Navakalevara : |
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Navakalevara is derived from the Sanskrit words Nava or new and Kalevara or body, literally meaning New Body. It is an ancient ritual associated with Lord Jagannath of Puri performed every twelve years when the Idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshan are replaced by a new set of Idols.
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Timing of the Ceremony |
A year which has two months of Ashadh as per the Hindu Calendar is auspicious for conducting the ceremony. This usually occurs every twelve years .The Idols are made from a special type of Neem wood known as Daru Bramha. Preparations for the ceremony start in the month of Chaitra.
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Locating the Sacred trees |
No ordinary Neem tree can be used to make the Idols. Certain well defined criteria must be satisfied by the tree before it is labelled a Daru Bramha fit for idol making.Locating the four holy trees requires divine intervention. As per long standing tradition the Priests of the Jagannath Temple (Puri) worship Maa Mangala at the Kakatpur Mangala Temple. It is said the Goddess appears to them in their dreams revealing the location of the holy trees.
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