The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c17.s1.295

v2.c17.s1.295

At Puri there was formerly a special place kept on the southeast of the Great Temple outside the sacred enclosure for this festival; and the images were taken there to enjoy their carnival. In the reign of Gauḍīya Govinda Deva (A. D. 1560) the swinging-frame broke down and one of the hands of Jagannātha was injured; the practice of bringing out the images was thereupon given up. In fact the images were found too big to be safely allowed the indulgence of the swing and their colour was sadly injured by being besmeared with the red powder. It was deemed expedient, therefore, that the **[131]** ceremony should be performed by proxy. The place of its çelebration was also changed; the place selected was the northeast corner of the outer enclosure of the temple and outside its area. There a large well-raised masonry platform was built and on the centre of it were erected two stone pillars with an arched cross-piece, and from this is suspended a chair hung by chains, and on the chair are seated the images of Madanamohana and Lakṣmī and swung from time to time amidst the rejoicings of the multitude. The red powder (*ābir*) is largely thrown on them and every one in the assembled crowd indulges in throwing the powder on his neighbours. The other rituals of the ceremony are observed before Jagannātha himself in the sanctuary. The ceremony here lasts for a single day. On the night preceding, in Bengal and in North-Western Provinces, the demon Holākā is burnt in effigy in a bonfire⁷⁰ but this is not observed at Puri.