Vesas At Lord Jagannath Temple - Puri

The three deities of the Jagannath Temple of Puri (Sri Mandir) are adorned with specific ceremonial costumes on various occasions. These are called as “Vesas” of the Lord. These Vesas are related to divine activities of Lord Krishna (as described in Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana), Lord Rama (as described in Ramayana) and also to the five cults of Hinduism (Shaiva, Shakta, Vaishnava, Saura and Ganapatya).

Here is a list of important vesas of the Lord observed in different times of the year.

Name of the Vesa	When celebrated	Description
Chandan Vesa	Vaishakha(April-May)	Scented sandalwood paste is smeared on the body of the Deities
Gajanan Vesa	Full moon day of Jyeshtha(May-June)	Deities are dressed like Elephant on the Snana Vedi(Bathing Platform)
Navajauvan Vesa	Ashaadha(June-July)	Deities are dressed to look like individuals at the commencement of their youth
Suna Vesa	i) 11th day of the bright fortnight of Ashaadha (June-July) on the Chariot ii) 10th day of the bright fortnight of Ashwina (September-October) iii) Full moon day of Kartika(October-November) iv) Full moon day of Phalguna(February-March)	The Deities are decorated with various types of gold ornaments like gold diadems, golden hands & feet
Chitalagi Vesa	15th day of the dark fortnight of Shravana (July-August)	The Deities wear Chita(ornaments of forehead) made of gold, diamond and precious stones
Vanabhoji Vesa	10th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadrapad (August-September)	Deities are dressed like cowherd boys, as if they are going to attend a picnic
Kaliya Dalan Vesa	11th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadrapad (August-September)	Lord jagannath is dressed like Krishna killing the Kaliya serpent
Pralambasura Badha Vesa	12th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadrapad (August-September)	Lord Balabhadra is dressed like Balaram killing the demon Pralamba
Krishna Balaram Vesa	13th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadrapad (August-September)	Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra are dressed likeKrishna and Balaram
Bali Vamana Vesa	12th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapad (August-September)	Lord Jagannath is dressed like Vamana, the 5thincarnation of Vishnu
Raja Vesa	i) 10th day of the bright fortnight of Ashwina (September-October) ii) Full moon day of Pausha(December-January)	Lord Jagannath was regarded as the King of Odisha since the rule of Ganga Dynasty. This Vesa of the Lord continues from those days.
Radha Damodar Vesa	from 10th bright day of Ashwina(September-October) to 10th bright day of Kartika (October-November)	This vesa highlights the Radha-Krishna episode and its religious integration with Sri Jagannath culture
Trivikrama Vesa	11th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika(October-November)	This vesa was started by five celebrated devotees known as Panchasakha. Lord Jagannath is dressed as Trivikrama, who is master of three spheres- heaven, hell and earth
Bankachuda Vesa	12th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika(October-November)	Lord Jagannath wears a special golden head gear
Nrusimha Vesa	13th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika(October-November)	Lord Jagannath is dressed like Nrusimha
Rajarajeswar Vesa	Full moon day of Kartika(October-November)	Lord Jagannath is dressed in gorgeous attire like a King of Kings
Nagarjuna Vesa	13th-14th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika(October-November)	Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra are dressed like Nagarjuna(a military general)
Ghodalagi Vesa	From 6th day of the bright fortnight of Margasira(November-December) to Vasant Panchami- 5th day of the bright fortnight of Magha(January-February)	Deities wear specially designed winter dresses
Jamalagi Vesa	From Vasant Panchami to full moon day of Chaitra(March-April)	Deities wear modified winter dress
Shradhha Vesa	i) 13th day of the dark fortnight of Margasira (November-December) ii) 14th day of the dark fortnight of Margasira (November-December) iii) 15th day of the dark fortnight of Margasira (November-December)	Deities wear white robes to offer Shradhha to their ancestors
Padma Vesa	Any Saturday or Wednesday between the new moon day of Magha(January-February) and Vasant Panchami	Big petals of lotusadorn the faces of the deities in the shape of a disc. Three triangular crowns made up of lace(crepe) and cloth are decorated with innumerable lotus flowers.
Gaja Uddharana Vesa	Full moon day of Magha	This vesa celebrates the saving of an Elephant who prayed to Lord Vishnu while being attacked by a Crocodile
Chacheri Vesa	From the 9th day of the bright fortnight of Phalguna(February-March) to full moon day of Phalguna	Lord Jagannath is dressed to share the experiences of playing with colour(Phagu/Abira-a rosy red powder)
Raghunath Vesa	9th day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra (March-April)	Lord Jagannth, Balabhadra and Subhadra are dressed like Rama, Lakshmana and Sita. This vesa is observed in remembrance of Sri Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu. This vesa has been discontinued and was last held in the year 1905.

Apart from the above vesas, the deities wear daily vesas as a part of the daily rituals. They are-

1.  Abakasa or Tadapa Uttari Vesa- This vesa is done every day immediately after Mangal Arati.

2.  Sadha Vesa- Every day the deities wear dresses of different colours.

3.  Bada Singhar Vesa- It is done every night before the last ritual of the day. It is usually made up of different types of floral ornaments and silken cloth set(Gita Govinda Khandua Pata).