Nabakalebara Explained: When the Deities Receive New Bodies
Nabakalebara ("new body") is the ceremony in which the wooden deities of the Jagannath Temple are replaced with new ones. According to the temple administration, it takes place in a year when a leap month falls in Ashadha, at intervals of 8, 11, 12 or 19 years.
When it happens
The temple administration explains that Nabakalebara takes place when a leap month (called Purushottama Masa or Adhimasa) falls in Ashadha, and that this gives three fortnights for making the new images, consecrating them and covering them in cloth. It occurs "once at intervals of 8, 11, 12 and 19 years".
Source: SJTA: Nabakalebara. Checked 2 October 2026.
The most recent Nabakalebaras were held in 1969, 1977, 1996 and 2015. The date of the next one depends on the calendar and will be announced by the temple administration.
Reference: Wikipedia: Nabakalebara. Checked 2 October 2026.
The main stages
- Chaitra Shukla Dashami
Banajaga Yatra
The search for the sacred wood begins, led by servitor groups including the Daitas, Pati Mohapatra and the Biswakarma craftsmen.
- Following weeks
Identifying the daru
Four holy neem trees are identified, one for each deity and Sudarshana, on the basis of traditional specifications (the characteristics of the daru).
- Before Ashadha
Making the new images
The new images are carved, consecrated and covered with cloth during the extra time the leap month provides.
- Ashadha Krishna Chaturdashi
Brahma Paribartana
On the 14th day of the dark fortnight of Ashadha, late at night, the life substance (Brahma Padartha) is transferred from the old images to the new ones.
- Afterwards
Patali
The old images are buried at a particular place in the Koili Baikuntha garden within the temple complex.
Source: SJTA: Nabakalebara. Checked 2 October 2026.
Tradition and meaning Temple tradition
Published accounts describe many further details: a visit to the Mangala temple at Kakatpur before the search for the trees, detailed signs the trees must show, and the secrecy of the transfer, which only a few senior Daitapati servitors witness. These details are part of living temple tradition and are reported with some variation.
Devotional belief For devotees, Nabakalebara is the Lord taking a new body, as a soul does, and an expression of Jagannath as a living presence. The special role of the Daitapatis, held in tradition to descend from the Sabara chief Viswavasu, links the ceremony to the legend told on the history page.
A note on secrecy. Key parts of Nabakalebara are deliberately hidden, and the nature of the Brahma has never been made public. This article does not speculate about it.
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Common questions
When was the last Nabakalebara?
In 2015. Earlier ones in living memory were held in 1969, 1977 and 1996.
What happens to the old images?
According to the temple administration, they are buried at a particular place in the Koili Baikuntha garden. This is known as Patali.