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Puri: It is a fact that not all neem (Margo) trees are gifted with the grace of the Almighty to become fit for use in Nabakalebar of the Trinity and Lord Sudarshan. As per rituals, the Daita servitors of Puri Srimandir identify those neem trees during the Banajaga Yatra. The servitors examine the trees and the circumstances under which they have grown, said Srijagannath Sanskrit University research officer Dr Surendra Kumar Mishra.
According to Banajaga rituals, the servitors send a holy message to Goddess Mangala after they reach Sabarpalli. They prostrate before the Goddess to seek her divine direction to find the timbers for Nabakalebar. The servitors then fan out to different directions in search of four neem trees which have 10 distinguishing features.
Criteria for Lord Jagannath’s Daru (Margo tree)
- The Margo tree must have four main branches.
- The colour of the tree should be dark black or red.
- There should be a crematorium near the tree.
- The tree should be located near a river or pond or a junction of three pathways or surrounded by three mountains.
- There should be a Shiva temple in the neighbourhood.
- Birds should not have made nests on it
- There should be an anthill near the tree and a snake burrow at the base of the tree.
- The sign of ‘Sankha’ and ‘Chakra’ must be visible on the tree
- The height of the tree should be between 10.5 and 18 ft.
Features of Lord Balabhadra’s Daru
- The bark of the Margo tree should be white
- It should have seven branches
- It should have a sign of a plough and pestle
- It should look like a snake
- A ‘bel’ tree must be near it
Features of Goddess Subhadra’s Daru
The skin of the Margo tree must be light yellow
It should have five branches
It should have signs of lotus flower
Daru of Lord Sudarshan
The holy Margo tree must have three branches
The bark of the tree must be pink in colour
It should have a Chakra sign among the main features