Do you know The idols of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra are changed after few years, but how is the time for changing them is decided? How are Neem trees are selected for making idols and what is done with these old idols?

some points regarding these idols...

⚜️Lord Jagannath and other idols are changed in the same year when the two months of Asadha come in the year. Sometimes this happens in 12 years, sometimes in 14 and sometimes in 18 years.

⚜️This occasion is called Nav-Kalevar.

⚜️These statues are made from special Neem trees brought from different parts of the country.

⚜️These Neem trees are called as special Daru.

⚜️Different groups of people set out in different directions to search for these trees.

⚜️When the searching for Daru is completed, the work of piercing Daru starts with the chanting of prescribed mantras.

Lord Jagannath's complexion is dark, hence the Neem tree should be of the same colour.

⚜️Lord Jagannath's brother and sister have fair complexion, hence light colored Neem tree is searched for their idols.

⚜️Some special things are also taken into consideration while choosing neem trees or Daru for the idol of Jagannath.

⚜️It should have four major branches.

⚜️Reservoir, cremation ground and ant colony near the tree are necessary.

⚜️There should also be a snake's hole in the root of the tree.

⚜️It may be near a crossroads or surrounded by three mountains.

⚜️There should be Varun, Sahada and Bel trees near the tree.

When all the above points are matched then only Lord Jagannath and other idols are changed.

Jai Jagannath Mahaprabhu 🙏🌺

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