CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY

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: Prasada Pot/ Abhada Handi. Abhada is sacred food cooked for Lord Jagannatha at Shri Jagannatha Temple, Puri. The food is served in such earthen pots that are used only once. Pots that are subjected to a longer heat period during making have a black tinge. The size of the pot varies according to its capacity to feed a specific number of average devotees on the basis of average consumption.

Subject: Jagannatha. Betel nut is the dry areca nut palm known as gua in Odia. The seed is carved and whittled by wood carvers of Odisha to make miniatures of deities of Jagannatha temple, Hindu gods and other religious motifs. This is an image of Lord Jagannatha whittled out of a betel nut. This object has been procured from State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Sana Matha. Abhada is sacred food cooked for Lord Jagannatha at Shri Jagannatha Temple, Puri. The food is served in such earthen pots that are used only once. Pots that are subjected to a longer heat period during making have a black tinge. The size of the pot varies according to its capacity to feed a specific number of average devotees on the basis of average consumption. This object was procured from Sri Jagannath Temple Administrator.

Subject: Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra. Odisha is known for its lineage of skilled artisans of terracotta pottery. Terracotta crafts being water and weather proof are popular as indoor objects as well as outdoor decoration. Products range from those belonging to ritualistic ceremonies to artifacts of utilitarian and artistic significance. This is the Jagannatha triad in terracotta.

Subject: Duck. A decorative item of a duck painted over a shell. Seashell craft has been a prominent art form in Puri and Konark since seashells are easily available next to the coast line. There are many varieties of shells with a range of patterns, textures and shapes. The shells are used for making decorative and utilitarian items. The pieces also illustrate various themes from the life of Lord Jagannatha. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Tree. Betel nut is the dry areca nut palm known as gua in Odia. The seed is carved and whittled by wood carvers of Odisha to make miniatures of deities of Jagannatha temple, Hindu gods and other religious motifs. This is an image of a tree symbolizing growth. This object has been procured from State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Chariot of Subhadra (Darpadalana). The three chariots of Balabhadra, Subhadra and Jagannatha are newly constructed every year for the ratha yatra. These chariots are like miniature shrines in wood. The chariot of Subhadra is known as Darpadalana translating to trampler of pride and is decked with a covering of red and black cloth. The chariot has four red horses. Detail of the wood carving on the chariot. This object has been procured by Utkalika, Odisha State Co-operative Handicraft Corporation Ltd.

Subject: Chariot of Subhadra (Darpadalana). The three chariots of Balabhadra, Subhadra and Jagannatha are newly constructed every year for the ratha yatra. These chariots are like miniature shrines in wood. The chariot of Subhadra is known as Darpadalana translating to trampler of pride and is decked with a covering of red and black cloth. The chariot has four red horses. Side view of the chariot. This object has been procured from Utkalika, Odisha State Co-operative Handicraft Corporation Ltd.

Subject: Pakhal Oli. Abhada is sacred food cooked for Lord Jagannatha at Shri Jagannatha Temple, Puri. The food is served in such earthen pots that are used only once. Pots that are subjected to a longer heat period during making have a black tinge. The size of the pot varies according to its capacity to feed a specific number of average devotees on the basis of average consumption. This object was procured from Sri Jagannath Temple Administrator.

Subject: Prasada Pot/ Abhada Handi. Abhada is sacred food cooked for Lord Jagannatha at Shri Jagannatha Temple, Puri. The food is served in such earthen pots that are used only once. Pots that are subjected to a longer heat period during making have a black tinge. The size of the pot varies according to its capacity to feed a specific number of average devotees on the basis of average consumption.

Subject: Painted Pot. This is a papier-mâché pot on which the dashavatara, or the ten primary incarnations (avatars) of Vishnu have been painted - Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Balarama, Jagannatha and Kalki. Papier-mâché is a French word for chewed paper. This craft was probably introduced during the Mughal reign. The surface of papier-mâché produces an ideal ground for painting, which is probably the reason the craft became popular in Odisha with its traditional pattachitra painters. This art in Odisha uses a fusion of paper, cloth rags and straw. It is pulped by hand after softening with water. Additives like multani mitti are added to the pulp as an adhesive and for providing a textured finish.

Subject: Prasada Pot/ Abhada Handi. Abhada is sacred food cooked for Lord Jagannatha at Shri Jagannatha Temple, Puri. The food is served in such earthen pots that are used only once. Pots that are subjected to a longer heat period during making have a black tinge. The size of the pot varies according to its capacity to feed a specific number of average devotees on the basis of average consumption.

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: Jagannatha. Jagannatha is considered a form of Vishnu. He is a part of a triad along with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. The icons are carved and decorated wooden stump with large round eyes and a symmetric face and have a conspicuous absence of hands or legs.

Subject: Ratha Kapada. The Jagannatha chariots are decked with a covering of red and yellow cloth for Jagannath's chariot (Nandighosa), red and blue cloth for Lord Balabhadra's chariot (Taladhwaja) and red and black cloth – black being traditionally associated with Mother Goddess for Goddess Subhadra's chariot (Darpadalana). This object was procured from Sri Jagannath Temple Administrator.

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: Fabric for Lord Jagannatha. Cotton fabrics are used by the Jagannatha triad for daily rituals, festivals and special occasions.

Subject: Adjacent Jagannatha sabha, antarala, torana

Subject: Prasada Pot/ Abhada Handi. Abhada is sacred food cooked for Lord Jagannatha at Shri Jagannatha Temple, Puri. The food is served in such earthen pots that are used only once. Pots that are subjected to a longer heat period during making have a black tinge. The size of the pot varies according to its capacity to feed a specific number of average devotees on the basis of average consumption.

Subject: Adhar Handi. Abhada is sacred food cooked for Lord Jagannatha at Shri Jagannatha Temple, Puri. The food is served in such earthen pots that are used only once. Pots that are subjected to a longer heat period during making have a black tinge. The size of the pot varies according to its capacity to feed a specific number of average devotees on the basis of average consumption. This object was procured from Sri Jagannath Temple Administrator.

Subject: Jagannatha, Balabhadra Subhadra. Betel nut is the dry areca nut palm known as gua in Odia. The seed is carved and whittled by wood carvers of Odisha to make miniatures of deities of Jagannatha temple, Hindu gods and other religious motifs. This is an image of the Jagannatha triad comprising of Lord Jagannatha with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. Back view of the object. This object has been procured from State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Subhadra. Subhadra is Jagannatha's sister. Jagannatha is considered a form of Vishnu. The icons are carved and decorated wooden stump with large round eyes and a symmetric face and have a conspicuous absence of hands or legs. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Balarama. Balarama is a god and the elder brother of Krishna. He is particularly significant in the Jagannatha tradition, as one of the triad deities. Balarama is depicted as light skinned, in contrast to his brother, Krishna, who is dark skinned. His weapons are the plough and the mace. Sometimes Balarama is considered one of the ten incarnations of the Lord Vishnu. Other legends identify him as the human incarnation of the serpent Shesha. He is the patron deity of farmers. This object has been procured from State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House Museum, Handicrafts Complex.