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One day after Snana Purnima, the Darus are taken to Nirmana Mandapa. It is here, the new Deities are carved out of the wood by the skilled carpenters called Biswakarma in secrecy, under the strict supervision and guidance of Daitapatis. The three oldest Biswakarmas will be the main sculptors for the deity of Lord Jagannath . The images of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra & Lord Sudarshana are simultaneously carved by other two teams consisting of three carpenters each. More than 50 carpenters work as assistant to the main carvers. The carvings are completed in approximately 15 days and during these 15 days the carpenters are not allowed to leave the temple premises. They would sleep in the temple premises in the night and eat Mahaprasad. Devotional songs & shlokas from the Vedas chanted continuously outside the Koili Baikuntha day and night during these 15 days.
What is Nyasa Daru?
According to the scriptural procedure, the consecration of the Deities and its ancillaries are taken up in the Pratistha Mandapa, at the same time the making of the new idols are also taken up in the Nirmana Mandapa. The Pratistha of the Deities directly is not practicable, so the Nyasa Daru is the prime factor for consecration. 'Nyasa Daru' is a different piece of Daru (sacred wood) collected for divine Deities, it is a part of one tree out of the four, the specification of which cannot be disclosed, it is transported to Koili Baikuntha in one of the Daru Sagadis. Nyasa Daru is a symbolic representation of the new idols, it is only worshipped in all ancillary functions of consecration rituals, it remains in use till the new idols are brought to forefront. The Nyasa Daru is brought to Pratistha Mandapa on the 6th day of the dark fortnight of Odia Asadha month. By the 14th lunar day, the consecration rituals of the Nyasa Daru is finally over. The making of the wooden structures of the new Deities is also completed by this time. After Pratistha, the Nyasa Daru is cut into four pieces as per the prescribed size, to be suitably used as lids, to cover the cavities in the belly portions of the new wooden Deities containing the 'Brahmapadartha'. These lids are called 'Brahmakapatas'.
Before Asadha Chaturthy night the new Deities are made completely and are carried inside the inner sanctum to the Anasara Pindi only by descendants of the Daitapati family of the Jagannath Temple and placed in front of the old Deities facing them. This ritual is also done with supreme privacy and nobody is allowed to go inside. On this specific night at midnight hours the 'Ghata Paribartan' ritual is held and 'Brahma Padarthas' are transferred from old Deities to new ones.
What is Brahmapadartha?
'Brahmapadartha' is the Supreme Substance mysteriously hidden inside the body of the Deities. There is a curiosity among all to know what this Brahmapadartha is and how does it look like. There are different religious stories on this. The Buddhists say the Brahma Padartha inside the body of Lord Jagannath is told to be the tooth of Lord Buddha. The Vaishnavas say it to be the Live Salagrama (a pebble with divine symbols) which fell from heaven into the Gomati River of Nepal. Sabara's have an interesting story to tell. As destined, Jara Sabara pierced an arrow into the feet causing death of Lord Krishna at Mahendragiri. Arjuna instructed the crying Jara to cremate. But Jara could not burn Lord Krishna's body completely and the heart portion remained unburnt and the same was kept inside the initial Deity worshipped by the Sabaras as Nilamadhaba. The mystery pertaining to this subject is still unravelled. Everything relating to Brahmapadarthas is deemed sacred and secret. Any kind of discussion on the subject is considered religiously prohibitive. It is good enough to know in this connection that the Brahmapadarthas are the most invaluable rarities in the divine sense of the term. Their implication is said to be not within the comprehension of human beings in general.
What is Ghata Paribartan ritual?
The secret ritual to transfer the Brahmapadarthas from the old deities to new ones is known as 'Ghata Paribartan'. As per tradition, the rights of the Ghata Paribartan are permitted only to the Daitapati servitors as they are considered to be the descendants of the Sabaras, who were the first worshipper of the Lord Jagannath. The transfer of Brahmapadartha of Lord Jagannath is done by Patimahapatra. The transfer of Brahmapadarthas in respect of the other deities is done by the Daitapatis. As per the procedure followed in this regard, the servitors conducting this ritual are old and experienced persons. The servitors are completely blindfolded, their hands (up to elbows) are wrapped with thick layers of cloth-bands so that the transferees can neither see nor feel anything about the Brahmapadarthas. The secret ritual is performed on Amavasaya (dark moon) in the total darkness of midnight in the temple. All doors of the temple are locked and the electricity is disconnected. Even the street ligts outside the temple walls will be switched off. The only light used is 'Dihudi' (oil lamp on bamboo stick). Before transfer of the Brahmapadarthas, a special Bhoga (offering) is offered to the old deities known as 'Sarbanga Panti Bhoga'. This is the last Bhoga of the old Deities.
What is Patali ritual?
The process of burial of old Deities in Koili Baikuntha is known as 'Patali'. As soon as the Brahma Padartha is taken out of a Deity, the corresponding deity is considered to be dead. The deity is then loaded in the same cart in which the corresponding new deity transported and immediately carried to Koili Baikuntha which is considered as the burial ground of the old deities. 'Koili' means 'Burial Ground' and 'Baikuntha' means 'Heaven'. At Koili Baikuntha a deep pit is kept ready to bury the old Deities. After burial, the Deities join the dust and become part of it. It was never discovered any remaining of the previous burial. During this time not only the old Deities of the temple are buried, but also all the subsidiary Deities (Parswa Devatas) of the three chariots are also buried. New subsidiary deities are made for next Car Festival.
Following the Patali ritual, the Daitapatis remain in a state of impurity for a period of 10 days. They leave their hair unsaved. They also observe all sorts of Hindu mortuary practices. On the 10th day, they come to the temple and apply oil to their bodies near Mukti Mandapa and next proceed to the Markendaya Tank where they cut their hair and nail and observe purifying baths. They also whitewash their houses as per the usual practice of the mortuary rites. The Daitapatis observe all these rituals because the Lord is considered their supreme family member. On the 12th day, the Daitas gave a mortuary feast to all the servitors of the Jagannath Temple.
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