Metamorphosis of the Lord
SARAT CHANDRA
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In a unique tradition, Lord Jagannath adorns `Ganesh Vesha'.
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Lord Jagannath in his Ganesh avatar
On June 11 last, Lord Jagannath of Puri had a metamorphosed into Ganesha, in a ritual known as Besha, which can be translated as `adornment'. The God has adornments on several occasions on specific days as per the Jagannath temple tradition.
On the day the summer ends (Jyestha Purnima), the Puri Triad has an unusual ritual and an adornment known as the Ganesha Besha (also as Hati Besha). Lord Jagannath's idol for the Ganesh Besha is metamorphosed by fixing an elephant trunk and elephant's ears on the head. But this is not done on the pedestal but on a platform, which is about 200 feet away from the temple sanctum. The idols of the Triad are brought to this stone platform, and more than a 100 pots of water are poured over their heads. Then the ritualistic Ganesha Besha takes place. Lord Jagannath looks like a black elephant in the Besha while Lord Balabhadra appears like a white elephant. On each idol an elephant trunk, a pair of tusks and ears made of solapith are set. Several appliqué items also beautify the platform. The adornments on the bathing platform remain for a few hours, and may be witnessed even from outside the temple complex.
There is a story behind Lord Jagannath's Ganesh Besha. According to that legend, a Ganesh devotee from western India, who visited the temple, wanted to see the god as Ganesha. First his wish was not complied with, but later the principal seveyat of the temple dreamt that the Lord expressed the desire to be so decorated. The Ganesha Besha is said to have been taking place since then, and the devotees of Ganesha have become Lord Jagannath's ardent followers.
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