Bamana Besha: Lord Jagannath Dressed As Dwarf Brahmin

Puri: Lord Jagannath was bedecked today as dwarf brahmin to mark the Bamana Dwadasi, the birth anniversary of Bamana, the fifth incarnation of Lord Bishnu.

During this besha, Lord Jagannath holds umbrella in his left hand and a pot with kusha batu in the right hand. He is attired as a staunch Bramhin. This attire has also got place in a very popular hymn – ‘Rathe Tu Bamanam Drustwa Punarjanmam Na Vidyate’.

As per Odishan culture the New Year begins in the name of the Gajapati. The new ‘anka’ of Gajapati begins from this day which is also the day for the Sunia parva.

According to the epics, the dwarf Baman was born on the twelfth day of the bright fortnight in the lunar month of Bhadrab.

According to a senior servitor, on this day Lord Vishnu (Jagannath is one of his incarnations) pressed down demon king Bali to Patal (beneath the earth).

Sunia Parva is observed on the 12^th day in the Sukla Pakshya in the month of Bhadrava. Hence, Sunia is regarded as the new year of Utkal region. In horoscopes made in Odisha the year, month, date, tithi and Nakshyatra are mentioned. From Sunia day the counting of Gadiasana of Gajapati counted.

On this day during the Sunia Parva, bramhins from Sola sasana (16 sasanas) visit Sri Na-a-ra in Puri, the palace of Gajapati Maharaj and each of them present coconut to the king and bless him.

On this day all these bramhins along with others are given Mahaprasad at the Sri-na-ara. On Sunia day, Gajapati Maharaj pays obeisance to Lord Jagannath at Srimandira and offers the Kanaka bheti.  After having a glimpse of Lord Jagannath, the Gajapati king visits the old Na-a-ra place and pays obeisance to Goddess Shyamakali and Lord Astasambhu before returning to his palace, the Sri Na-a-ra.