By Newsgram Staff Writer
Nabakalebara is among one of the most celebrated festivals of Odisha, celebrating the regeneration of Lord Jagannath, Bhalabhadara, Subhadra and Sudarshan by restoring their wooden idols. The carnival will be serving as a boost in Odisha's economy as the tourism sector will flourish during this pious term of devotion.
Celebrated after a gap of 20 years, the festival commences from 18th July at Puri and the Rath Yatra this time has been named as Nabakalebar Rath Yatra. According to the secret code of conduct followed in the customs, the provision is there for changing the deities. And with the help of secret rituals the supreme power is installed from old deities to the new one.
The intricate and sacred rituals for the preparation of wooden idols to the infrastructural change are being implied by the government to receive the massive turnout of the devotees. Law and order, health issues, crowd management, transport, parking and many more, the government of Odisha is working expeditiously to meet the deadline well in advance.
"Construction of roads and railways will enable the people to travel smoother and relentlessly especially during the festival," said Jitendra Jena, District transport officer of Dhenkanal. "People of Odisha celebrate Nabakalebara festival in grand manner so the improved mode of travelling are required so that few isolated villages can also be connected," he further added.
For the successful completion of Nabakalebara fest, centre has given Rs 50 crore to Odisha government and the preparation will be soon reviewed by Union ministers on March 20- 21. Tourism and Petroleum Ministry along with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism held a meeting discussing the measures for promotion and international branding of the Nabakalebar Rath Yatra.
The Petroleum Minister Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan with Tourism Minister Dr. Mahesh Sharma decided that the Ministry of Culture will bring out Coffee Table Book and also make documentary on the Yatra. Coins and stamps will also be given to venerate the Yatra.
Tourism Development Corporation of Odisha has also announced special tourism packages for pilgrims of Nabakalebara festival, announced by Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Panda. As nearly 25 lakhs of devotees are predicted to join and witness the grand occasion at Jagannath temple in Puri where the deities of the trinity will be changed.