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55th Kolkata Rath Yatra 2026 – Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HG Vallabh Chaitanya Prabhu (21st July 2026)

Purushottam Nitai Das July 22, 2026

Nabakalebara, the sacred ceremony in which Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladeva and Subhadra Devi accept a new bodies was discussed by HG Vallabh Chaitanya Prabhu in his Srimad Bhagavatam Class today. Prabhuji also explained how Daru Brahma is searched and how the Brahma Padartha is transferred. All this was explained using a PowerPoint presentation.

Below article is based on the class which he gave on 21^st July 2026 at the 55^th Kolkata Rath Yatra Pandal.

In Kolkata, we are now sitting in Gundicha Temple, this is Vrindavan only. In Jagannath Puri there is Gupta Vrindavan and that is Tota Gopinath temple.

There are many types of worship of Lord Jagannath, and such worship is Nabakalebara.

Nabakalebara means “accepting a new body”. Naba means “new” and kalebara means “body”.

Nabakalebara is generally performed after 12 years or 19 years. It is generally performed when there are two Āṣāḍha months (Adhika Āṣāḍha) in the lunar calendar. It was performed in 2015 and next will be in 2034 after 19 years.

The deities are made of neem wood. In Puri, sandalwood paste is applied to the Lord six times daily. The Lord’s body becomes so soft that one’s hand can go inside it; therefore, during Nabakalebara, the Lord accepts a new body.

The Nabakalebara festival begins about three weeks before Snana Yatra.

Anavasara period, the Lord does not give public darshan, as He is said to be resting after Snana Yatra.

Srila Prabhupada explains, “The word anavasara is used when Śrī Jagannāthajī cannot be seen in the temple. After the bathing ceremony (snāna-yātrā), Lord Jagannātha apparently becomes sick. He is therefore removed to His private apartment, where no one can see Him. Actually, during this period renovations are made on the body of the Jagannātha Deity. This is called nava-yauvana. During the Ratha-yātrā ceremony, Lord Jagannātha once again comes before the public. Thus for fifteen days after the bathing ceremony, Lord Jagannātha is not visible to any visitors.” Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya 1.122

During anavasara, Lord Chaitanya would feel so much separation from Lord Jagannath that He would leave Puri and go to Ālālanātha.

Vidyapati had two wives—one a brāhmaṇa lady and the other from the Śabara community.

Nabakalebara is performed by the Daitapatis i.e descendants of Sabara.

Lord Jagannath is worshipped beyond the boundaries of any one sampradāya or sect.

Madala Panjika is the traditional chronicle of Lord Jagannath that describes Nabakalebara.

It contains the temple’s history, festivals, rituals, annual records, and detailed instructions for Nabakalebara. It is traditionally written on palm leaves and kept securely inside the temple.

Lord Jagannath has been worshipped as Vishnu, Shiva, Durga (by the Shaktas), and Buddha by some traditions.

Nabakalebara of Lord Jagannath:

Nabakalebara begins about three weeks before Snana Purnima.

Three Daitapatis stay in the temple of Goddess Bimala, enter deep meditation, fast, and pray for guidance to locate the sacred Daru Brahma. Goddess Bimala gives them direction.

Once they receive indications, they immediately begin searching. The sacred trees may be found anywhere and are not necessarily limited to Odisha.

One tree is for Lord Jagannath (along with Sudarshana Chakra), while the other two are for Lord Baladeva and Subhadra Devi.

Characteristics of Lord Baladeva’s tree:

Neem tree
No bird’s nest
No flowers
A cobra appears on the tree when the Daitapatis arrive

If the tree does not meet the required characteristics, the Daitapatis return to meditation.

Characteristics of Subhadra Devi’s tree:

Neem tree
Located in the middle of a river or surrounded by water

Characteristics of Lord Jagannath’s tree:

Neem tree
Large enough for carving the deity
Bears a sacred mark resembling the Sudarshana Chakra

If the appropriate trees are not found, the Daitapatis continue searching and again return to meditation for further guidance.

Before 1947, the Daitapatis reportedly searched for 18 days without finding Lord Jagannath’s tree. Eventually, they reached a Muslim family’s house in present-day Madhya Pradesh. The owner initially refused permission to cut the tree, and the search party waited outside for two days.

According to the narration, all six children in the family had the same miraculous dream. An elderly lady advised the owner to offer the tree for the Lord’s service. Although he initially suspected black magic, he eventually agreed. These sacred trees are generally very old.

The selected trees are worshipped, ceremonially cut, transported in a grand procession, and finally brought to the Jagannath Temple.

Carving the Deities and the Transfer of Brahma Padartha

The new deities are secretly carved by sacred craftsmen.

The deities are carved from a single piece of wood. The hands and legs are not carved separately and attached later.

After the new deities are completed, the old deities are brought before them.

Transfer of Brahma Padartha

According to some traditions, the Brahma Padartha is believed to be the Lord’s original sacred essence, sometimes described as a sacred substance or Shaligrama.

An elderly sacred priest is blindfolded while transferring the Brahma Padartha from the old deities to the new deities.

After completing the transfer, he asks only for prasadam. It is traditionally believed that he often leaves his body within a few days. Devotees do not lament, believing that he attains Vaikuntha.

After the transfer, public darshan of the new deities begins.

The old deities are buried in Koili Vaikuntha.

Some traditional Daitapati families observe a period of mourning, perform funeral rites, and later visit Kashi.

The Daitapatis say that the deities are like children. After eating, They regain Their health, and even the Lord’s clothes gradually become shorter.

Every year, new chariots are constructed from Akshaya Tritiya until Rath Yatra. No iron nails are used in their construction.

These were some of the important points from the Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HG Vallabh Chaitanya Prabhu on 21st July 2026 at Kolkata Rath Yatra Pandal.