Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Puri, June 11:

After 19 long years, the wooden idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Sudarshan would go into oblivion and be replaced by freshly carved wooden bodies after Life-Substance (Brahma) is infused into them at the Jagannath Temple in Odisha's holy town of Puri late on Monday night.

Mandi (pillow) and khatuli (bed) being prepared for the Brahma Parivartan of the deities on Monday night (OST Photo) Mandi (pillow) and khatuli (bed) being prepared for the Brahma Parivartan of the deities on Monday night
(OST Photo)

After the infusion of brahma into the new idols, Daitapati sevayats (servitors), considered the first cousins of Lord Jagannath, will take the old idols from the Anasara pindi to Koilibaikuntha for patali (burial). As per social practice of the Hindus when someone in the family passes away, the Daitapati sevayats will take bath at the Markandeya puskarini (pond), shave their heads on the tenth day and perform shuddhi (purification) rituals.

“All of us - young and old - will go to the Markandeya puskarini after applying sesame (til/rasi) oil to our bodies under the Mukti Mandap. We will offer tila tarpan to the Lords there and bath after getting our heads shaved," said a Daitapati servitor.

On the thirteenth day from the date of transformation of Life-Substance/Brahma padartha, Trayodasaha Mahotsab will be performed on June 27.

On this auspicious occasion, lakhs of devotees will be fed Mahaprasad on the Grand Road which will be arranged by the Daitapati Nijog.

Shree Jagannath Temple administration (SJTA), along with dis­trict administration, district police and Chhatisha Nijoga, has taken steps for smooth performance of this ceremony and has solicited cooperation from different mutts, devotees and institutions.

“Late in the night on coming 15th, brahma parivartan of the Lords will be done. On June 27, the Trayodasaha Mahotsab will be held. Daitapati Nijog will offer Mahaprasad to the devotees in the evening that day,” said Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, chief administrator of SJTA  to reporters here today.

Meanwhile, the temple administration has appealed to interested persons and institutions to deposit their generous dona­tions in favour of Administrator, Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri either in the account No- 491711730 of lndian Bank (IFSC Code- IDIB000P057) or donate the money at Shree Jagannath Temple Office, Puri, Information Centres of Shree Jagannath Temple at Singhadwar and Bhubaneswar (Near Jaydev Bhawan).