The Divine Re - Birth

Be at Pun for NabakaIebar—a distinctive festival of Lord Shree Jagannath, which sees millions of devotees come together to mark the occasion.

Majority of the ten million plus domestic tourists and close to hundred thousand foreigners visit Odisha every year to enjoy its amazing tourism destinations. The state offers temples and monuments, art and architecture, music and dance, handloom and handicrafts fairs and festivals and a host of other tourism products. However, the holy town of Puri on the coast of Bay of Bengal attracts maximum number of tourists. ShreeKhetra—as the town is religiously cited—is one of the four cardinal centres (Chaar Dhaams) for devout Hindus. It is believed that a Hindu must visit this sacred place at least once in his/her lifetime to attain moksha.

It is in Puri that you find the magnificent 12th century shrine of Shree Jagannath Temple, where the idols of deities, namely, Shree Jagannatha, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Sudarsana are dragged on huge chariots by millions of devotees during the Ratha Yatra (Car Festival). In fact, amongst all the fairs and festivals associated with the Lord, devotees and visitors wait for this ten days long celebration to have a glimpse of the Lord of the Universe in the Bada-danda (Grand road) outside the shrine.

This year’s Ratha Yatra in July is going to be a spectacular event, because the Chaturdha Murti (four idols) in the Jagannath Temple at Puri will take on new bodies in a very unique ritual called Nabakalebara. The term Nabakalebara is derived from the Sanskrit words, naba meaning new and kalebara meaning body. Unlike many other Hindu shrines, the idols in Puri temple are made of the holy neem (Azadirachta indica) wood. The deities are also known as ‘DaruBrahma’, meaning Brahma (Divine life force) contained in Daru (holy tree/wood).

As per an elaborate religious practice, they are changed at periodic intervals (usually once in 12-19 years). Nabakalebara in 2015 will be the first in the 21st century, while it has been celebrated in 1912,1931, 1950, 1969, 1977 & 1996 in the last century. Nabakalebara takes place when two lunar months of Asadha (with an adhikamasa or intercalary month of Asadha) fall in a year of the Hindu almanac. In an age with hyped media and over-circulating digital content, this year’s ceremony has generated lot of interest amongst the devotees and enthusiasts alike.

The state government is expecting a footfall of 5 million during this Nabakalebara festival and leaving no stone unturned to make it the grandest of all to draw attention of the whole world.

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Lava - West Bengal

Sitting at the entrance to the Neora Valley National Park, Lava is a tiny hamlet located to the east of Kalimpong in Darjeeling district. But what makes Lava unusual is the fact that it is not only unspoilt but is among the very few places that receive snowfall in West Bengal.

Located at an altitude of 7,016 ft, predictably, the route to Lava is scenic with a gradual change in vegetation. As the plains give way to the hills, the vegetation changes from tropical deciduous to alpine trees such as pine, fir and birch. The change is quite dramatic and the beautiful forested areas are ideal for picnics or long, leisurely walks. For more strenuous adventure, try trekking as well. The thick forests are also home to an incredible number of winged creatures, so be sure to pack your binoculars and go birdwatching at dawn to see such birds as the common hill partridge, tragopan and peacock-pheasants. For the most fantastic views of the peaks, walk along a pretty pathway to Rishyap, about four km away, from where the mighty Himalaya are visible in all their glory or head to Changey to gaze at a scenic waterfall.

For nature and wildlife enthusiasts, there are plenty of animals in the forests, including endemic species such as the Himalayan black bear and barking deer.

In town, don’t miss the quaint watch tower. For a change of scene, head to the beautiful and serene Jamgyond Kongtul Buddhist monastery which is set against breathtaking scenery and induces a sense of peace and calm. 

Lava is not all that popular but there are many small guesthouses and lodges where guests can experience local hospitality and food.  These include rustic log houses and small huts built in the midst of the forest which can be rented. Some of these are located at strategic points and offer spectacular views of sunrise.

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