24/02/2024
Gaja
Gaja Uddhar Besha (custom/ dress up )( Saving the Elephant 🐘 from crocodile 🐊 Attire ) :
on the occasion of Holy Magh Purnima tithi ,(fullmoon day) Mahaprabhu Jagannath will be adorned with Gaja Udhharana Besha.
after Madhyanna Dhupa (afternoon Bhog), Besha will be conducted . During that time Mahaprabhu will be adorned with Gaja Udhharana Besha.
In this attire both Jagannatha and Lord Balabhadra are four handed.Jagannatha sits on Garuda and holds Shankha Chakra Gada Padma, and Sridevi (Mahalakhmi) on his thigh.Balabhadra holds Shankha Chakra Hala and Mushala and sits as Basudev in Padmasana. Maa Subhadra has two hands and she holds a lotus in one hand and stands in a cross legged position. After Sandhya Dhupa evening Bhog )A elephant figure which is trying to escape a crocodile's hold is kept near Jagannath. Another elephant figure which holds a lotus in praying posture is kept near Lord Balabhadra.The able craftsmen take 15 days to prepare this attire.
Gaja Uddharana Besha
This Besha depicts an epic story as
to how Lord Bishnu saved a helpless elephant
from the clutches of a crocodile. In the time of
yore an elephant was attacked by a ferocious
crocodile. Finding no other way to save his life,
this animal implored the mercy of Bishnu. Its
sincere prayers immediately moved Bishnu to
compassion and He hurled His disc to cut the
attacking alligator into pieces.
Shree Jagannatha, who is identified with
Bishnu, wears this Besha to inspire a sense of
devotion to the grace of God.
🙏Jai Jagannath 🙏
parida
