Nava Kalevara or Body Changing Ceremony of Puri
“Navakalevara” is the body changing ceremony of the deities and is done in the year when there occurs a double Asadha month. Generally this occurs once in every 12 years but not strickly so. It may occur also in 16 years or 19 years depending on the auspicious day or tithi.
In the beginning of the Navakalevara, the priests of the Puri Temple go the Mangala Temple of Kakatpur to invoke her guidance in finding the sacred Mango tree which must satisfy the specifications prescribed in respect to its environment, location, height and age and also should have the marks of the Conch, the Mace, the Disc and the Lotus (Marks of Lord Vishnu) on it.
Such trees are cut after performing specific rites and are brought to the Koili-Baikuntha of Puri Temple. Where Carpenters carve out the images of theDivinities. After construction of the images, the Brahma, in the navel zone of the old images are sent by a blind-folded priest with bandagod palms. This is done in utmost secrecy and the new images are installed with due rituals and worship. The old images are buried in the Koili-Baikuntha. The Daitas (Priests of tribal origin) who are regarded as the kith and kin of Sri Jagannath, observe mourning for 13 days according to Hindu rites.
After installation, the deities are to be prepared for the Car Festival.
