The word famous Nabakalebar denotes the new body in Odia language and the
deities of the grand temple Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and
Sudarshan undergo exactly the same on the great occasion at Puri, India.
The new wooden idols are carved and old ones are cremated by following the prescribed rites as mentioned in the centuries old scriptures.
This change-over of bodies takes place once every 8 to 18 years depending on the almanac positions as per the Hindu calendar. It is usually held in a year when the month of Asadha is followed by another Asadha. Accordingly the previous 'Nabakalebars' took place in the years 1969, 1978, and 1996; and the forthcoming one will be held in the year 2015.
The new wooden idols are carved and old ones are cremated by following the prescribed rites as mentioned in the centuries old scriptures.
This change-over of bodies takes place once every 8 to 18 years depending on the almanac positions as per the Hindu calendar. It is usually held in a year when the month of Asadha is followed by another Asadha. Accordingly the previous 'Nabakalebars' took place in the years 1969, 1978, and 1996; and the forthcoming one will be held in the year 2015.
