Outfit of Lord Jagannatha

The Veshas of Lord Jagannath

The word 'vesha' means outfit or costume, in English. The deities on the ratnavedi are dressed in different outfits beginning with mangala arati, the first arati of the day, and ending with ratri pahuda. The dresses are made of cotton and silk, and are adorned with gold ornaments, precious stones, different kinds of flowers, peacock feathers, tulasi leaves and so on. Sandalwood paste, camphor and occasionally musk are used in the daily and periodic rituals. A few of the major veshas are listed below.

Abakasha Vesha or Tadapa Uttari Vesha This is done daily, after mangala arati, for the abakash rituals. Abakash is the tooth brushing and bathing ritual. The clothes that are worn by the deities are called 'Tadapa' and 'Uttariya.'

Badasrunghara Vesha This is a very beautiful vesha. It is done before the night time 'pahuda', when the deities are allowed to take rest. It is therefore the vesha the deities appear in the following morning, for mangala arati. This vesha is mostly made of different kinds of flowers. The Lords are decorated with flowered ornaments known locally in Puri as adhara, jhumpa, gava, chandrika, tilak, alaka, guna, hruda pallava, karapallava and tadaki among others. The Deities also wear many flower garlands, some with tulasi leaves, and silk clothes called khandua.

Chandana Vesha This vesha is done for 42 days, beginning on Akshaya Trutiya.

Ganapati Vesha or Hati Vesha On the full moon day of the month of Jyestha, after the bathing ceremony is over, the Deities are dressed in elephant costumes. Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra are made to look like Ganapati (Ganesh, the eldest son of Shiva and Parvati).

Suna Vesha or Bada Tadhau Vesha On the 11th day of the bright fortnight in the month of Ashada, when the Deities return from the Gundicha Mandir on their chariots, they appear in the Suna (Gold) Vesha. They are are decorated with golden ornaments and wear gold crowns. Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhada appear with hands and feet made of gold. Lord Jagannath holds a golden chakra in His right hand and a silver conch shell in His left. Lord Balabhadra holds a golden club in His right hand and a golden plough in His left.

Raja Vesha The same outfit as Suna Vesha, but it is performed on Dussera, Kartik Purnima and Pousa Purnim.

Banabhoji Vesha On the 10th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadra, the Deities are dressed for a picnic, like the cowherd boys.

Kaliyadalana Vesha On the 1th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadra, Lord Jagannath is dressed as Krishna in His pastime of killing the serpent Kaliya.

Pralambasura Badha Vesha On the following day, the 12th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadra, the Deities are dressed to commemorate Lord Balabhadra's pastime of killing the demon Prahlamba.

Krishna-Balarama Vesha On the 13th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadra, Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra are dressed very attractively as Lord Krishna and Lord Balarama.

Bali Vamana Vesha On the 12th day of the bright fortnight Bhadra, Lord Jagannath is dressed like the dwarf brahmin Vamana, who defeated the demon Bali. Vamanadeva was one of the das avatars, the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

Radha-Damodara Vesha For an entire lunar month, from the 11th day of the bright fortnight of Ashwina to the 10th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika, the Deities are dressed in this vesha. Damodara refers to the lord with a rope tied around His waist, which relates to Krishna's pastimes with Mother Yashoda.

Thiakia Vesha or Laxmi-Narayana Vesha This vesha is used on the 11th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika.

Bankachula Vesha Used on the 12th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika.

Adakia Vesha or Trivikrama Vesha Used on the 13th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika.

Dalikia Vesha or Laxmi Nrisimha Vesha Used on the 14th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika.

Nagarjuna Vesha This vesha honors Parasurama, the warrior incarnation. It is used only occasionally. It happens during the month of Kartika, when there are six days of Panchaka. This was done six times in the last 30 years on 11/3/95, 11/16/94, 11/26/93, 11/3/68, 11/16/67 and 11/26/66.

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.

Jamalagi Vesha From Basanta Panchami to Dola Purnima the Deities wear modified ghoda (winter clothes).

Padma Vesha It is done on Saturdays or Wednesdays between the new moon day of Magha and Basanta Panchami. 'Padma' means 'lotus,' and the Deities' dresses are made from lotus, sola lace and paper. These dresses are traditionally supplierd by the Badachhata Matha. Halva is offered to the Deities when They are in this vesha.

Gaja Uddharana Vesha This vesha is done on the full moon day of the month of Magha. It commemorates the story of Gajendra, the king of the elephants, and the alligator.

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