CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY

Subject: Lacquered Coconut Shell. Coconut is a common fruit in Odisha, its endospermic shell is hard and durable. These are used in crafts by intricate whittling of the shell and then painting designs on them. Idols of the trinity of Jagannatha, Subhadra and Balabhadra and other Hindu icons, decorative artefacts and utility items are some items made from coconut shell in Odisha. This is a decorative coconut shell. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Padma Bhesa of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. The Padma Bhesa of Lord Jagannatha is the lotus attire of the triad.

Subject: Padma Bhesa of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. The Padma Bhesa of Lord Jagannatha is the lotus attire of the triad. Back view of the object.

Subject: Hati Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. Lord Jagannatha is adorned in the Hati Besha or elephant attire on the event of Snana Purnima during which he is dressed like Ganesha, who bears the head of an elephant. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Hati Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. Lord Jagannatha is adorned in the Hati Besha or elephant attire on the event of Snana Purnima during which he is dressed like Ganesha, who bears the head of an elephant. Back view of the object. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Radha Damodara Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. Radha is the female counterpart of Krishna. Damodara is one of the names of Krishna. This Bhesa, therefore, highlights the great religious integration that took place in the Jagannatha temple with regard to the episodes of Radha and Krishna. This Bhesa takes place in the months of Asvina and Kartika. This object has been procured by Utkalika, Odisha State Co-operative Handicraft Corporation Ltd.

Subject: Radha Damodara Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. Radha is the female counterpart of Krishna. Damodara is one of the names of Krishna. This Bhesa, therefore, highlights the great religious integration that took place in the Jagannatha temple with regard to the episodes of Radha and Krishna. This Bhesa takes place in the months of Asvina and Kartika. Back view of the object. This object has been procured by Utkalika, Odisha State Co-operative Handicraft Corporation Ltd.

Subject: Suna Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. In the month of Asadha, when the deities are brought back to the main gate of the temple and are still in their respective chariots, the Suna Bhesa (decoration with golden ornaments) takes place. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Girigobardhan Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. This besha signifies the act of Lord Krishna putting the mountain (Gobardhan) on his finger tip to save the people of his village Gopapur. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Girigobardhan Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. This besha signifies the act of Lord Krishna putting the mountain (Gobardhan) on his finger tip to save the people of his village Gopapur. Back view of the object. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Gaja udharana Besha of Lord Sri Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. The Gaja udharana besha depicts an epic story of Lord Vishnu saving a helpless elephant from the clutches of a crocodile. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Gaja udharana Besha of Lord Sri Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. The Gaja udharana besha depicts an epic story of Lord Vishnu saving a helpless elephant from the clutches of a crocodile. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Bankachuda Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. The Bankachuda besha is done on the eleventh day of bright fortnight of month Kartika, to commemorate Lord Krishna. Lord Jagannatha wears a golden headgear in this besha. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Vamana Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. In the month of Bhadra, Lord Jagannatha is dressed like Vamana incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Vamana Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. In the month of Bhadra, Lord Jagannatha is dressed like Vamana incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Back view of the object. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Lakshmi Narayana Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. Lakshmi Narayan Besha is also known as thiakia besha of Lord Jagannatha. It is done on eleventh day of the bright fortnight of Kartik. The worship of Lakshmi and Narayan has gained popularity in Jagannatha culture since the visit of saint Ramanuja. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Lakshmi Narayana Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. Lakshmi Narayan Besha is also known as thiakia besha of Lord Jagannatha. It is done on eleventh day of the bright fortnight of Kartik. The worship of Lakshmi and Narayan has gained popularity in Jagannatha culture since the visit of saint Ramanuja. Back view of the object. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Nagarjuna Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. For Nagarjuna besha, Lord Jagannatha and Balabhadra are dressed up like Nagarjuna (military general) on the extra day of ‘Panchuka’ (which has six days instead of five). This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Nagarjuna Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. Lord Jagannatha and Balabhadra are dressed up like Nagarjuna (military general) on the extra day of ‘Panchuka’ (which has six days instead of five). Back view of the object. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Banabhoji Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. This besha is done on the tenth day of dark fortnight of month Bhadrav, where the deities are ready to go on a picnic with cowherd friends. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Banabhoji Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. This besha is done on the tenth day of dark fortnight of month Bhadrav, where the deities are ready to go on a picnic with cowherd friends. Back view of the object. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Rajarajeswara Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. Lord Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra are dressed up in royal attire in the month of Kartik Purnima. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Rajarajeswara Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. Lord Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra are dressed up in royal attire in the month of Kartik Purnima. Back view of the object. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Krushna Balarama Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. In the Krishna Balarama besha, Lord Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra are dressed like Lord Krishna, Balarama and Yogmaya respectively on the thirteenth day of the fortnight of month Bhadrav. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).