Nava Jaubana - the Renewal of Youth

Dr. Subas Pani

The day immediately preceding the ceremonial stepping out of the temple precincts by the deities marks the formal ending of the period of sickness. The deities are given a fresh coat of paint and finally, as per the traditions for preparing of divine icons, the eyes are painted in a ritual called netrostava. The deities are now fully recovered, and their reappearance for public viewing is known as the Nava Jaubana Darshana, a celebration of the renewal of youth. Hundreds of thousands of devotees deprived of the sight of their dearest dark darling throng the temple to participate in this festival, which typically begins in the afternoon and lasts late into the night.