21 October 2022
Shree Jagannath Temple is one of the most important pilgrimages located in Puri City, Odisha (India). This is also one of the four Dhams of India. This temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath (the Lord of the Universe), who is a form of Lord Vishnu.
The main temple was built in the 10th century by King Indradyumna of Avanti, but later it was reconstructed in the 12th century by King Anantavarman Chodaganga of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
HISTORY
According to the legend, King Indradyumna was informed that Lord Vishnu, in the form of Nila Madhava, was being secretly worshiped by a chief tribal named Vishvavasu, so the king sent a priest named Vidyapati to locate the deity. Vidyapatitried hard but failed to locate a place. Lately, he married Vishvavasu's daughter and requested totake that place. Vishvavasu took his son-in-law blindfolded to a cave where the deity was worshipped. While traveling, Vidyapati dropped mustard seeds in the pathway, which germinated after a few days and enabled him to find the path to the cave.He informed the king, but when he arrived at cave, the deity had disappeared. The King was disappointed and observed fast on Neelachala to see the deity. once he heard a celestial voice saying that you will see deity. Afterwards, the king performed a horse sacrifice and built a temple where he installed Narsimha Murti, brought by Narada.
One day he got a vision of Lord Jagannath and also heard a voice ordering him to receive fragrant wood and make deities out of it. So, he made Lord Jagannath, Balbhadra, and Subhadra; he also made Sudarshana Chakra.
MYSTERY
1. Direction of flag:
The flag, which is at the top of the temple, flutters in the opposite direction of the wind.
2. No shadow:
At any time of day, the temple doesn't have a shadow.
3. No fly zone:
No bird or any flying object can fly above the temple.
4. Direction of Chakra:
There is a chakra made of eight elements (Astha dhatu). If you see this chakra from any direction, it will always face you.
5. Earthen Pot:
Mahaprasad is prepared in seven earthen pots that are placed above each other, and the food is cooked over firewood. The best food gets cooked first.
6. Prasadam:
Every year, many devotees come to visit the temple. Every day, the same amount of food is cooked, but none of the day’s food gets wasted, and none of the devotees remain unfed.
MAJOR FESTIVALS
There are 12 major festivals celebrated in Jagannath Temple.
1. SNANA YATRA
This festival is celebrated every year in the month of Jyeshta (starting in June) on Purnima. In this celebration, deities are taken for baths in 108 pots of water mixed with sandalwood.
2. RATHA YATRA
This is one of the most important festivals celebrated in the month of Asadha (June–July). In this, three huge chariots are constructed. The deities of Shree Jagannath, Shree Bal Bhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Shree Sudarshana are seated in this chariot and moved to a temple known as ‘Gundicha Ghar', which is at a distance of 3 km. At Gundicha Temple, deities stayed for 7 days.
3. SAYANA YATRA
This festival is celebrated on the 11th day of Asadha, in which three images of the Sayana, which are Basudeva, Bhubneswari, and Narayana deities, are taken to chariots. After the performance of some rituals, these images are taken to the “Sayana Ghhar” (bed room), where Lord Vishnu sleeps for four months.
4. DAKSINAYANA
This festival is celebrated on “karka Sankranti," and special rituals are performed as the sun moves in the autumnal equinox.
5. PARSHWA PARIVARTANA
This festival is celebrated in the month of Bhadra (August), in which the faces of sleeping deities change from south to north.
6. DEVA UTTHAPANA
This festival is celebrated in the month of Kartika (October– November). On this day, the deities awaken from their four-month slumber.
7. PRAVARNA SASTHI
This festival is celebrated in the month of Marghsira (November–December), during which deities are covered with woollen garments.
8. PUSHYAVISHEKHA
This festival is celebrated in the month of Pousha, in which Lord Jagannath is performed as Lord Rama, also known as Ramabhisheka (the coronation ceremony of Rama).
9. MAKARS SANKRANTI
This festival is celebrated in the month of Pousha (December), in which Lord Jagannath is offered a special kind of bhog known as “Makar Chaula Bhog.”.
10. DOLA YATRA
This festival is celebrated in the month of Phalguna, where Lord Dolagobinda, representing Lord Jagannath Mahaprabhu, along with Devi Laxmi and Devi Saraswati, are taken in Dola Vedi, located outside of the main temple, and special rituals are performed.
11. DAMANAKA CHATURDASHI
This festival is celebrated in the month of Chaitra (April), in which Lord Rama and Krishna are taken to Jagannath Vallabha Math, from where leaves of Dayana are taken. The next day the same leaves are offered to deities.
12. AKSHAYA TRUTIYA & CHANDANA YATRA
This festival is celebrated in the month of Baisakha. From this day on, construction of chariots for the Rath Yatra started. This festival is celebrated in two periods of 21 days each. The first period is celebrated outside the temple, which is known as Bahara Chandana, and the second period is celebrated inside the temple, which is known as Bhitara Chandana.
ENTRY TIMING
The temple is open. Since 5 a.m., darshan starts from 05:30 a.m. after Mangal Arti till 8 a.m., and after that, darshan of Jagannath Prabhu is not allowed till 09:15 a.m. In this 01:15 a.m., Gopal ballav puja is performed. Further, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., temples remain closed due to the belief that it is time for the rest of the deities. From 4 PM to 10 PM, it opened.
Things to Know Before Entry
1. Non-Hindus are not allowed.
2. Shoes, leather things, mobile phones, and cameras are not allowed. There is a facility to keep these things without any cost.
3. Ambulances with experienced doctors are available inside the temple.
4. For senior citizens and physically handicapped people at the main gate.
5. Entries are only allowed from Lion's Gate (Singhdwar).
HOW TO REACH
The nearest railway station is Puri Railway Station, at a distance of 2.8 km, and the bus stand is 1.9 km from the temple. from where anyone can reach the temple by walking, or autos are also available.
The nearest airport is Biju Patnaik International Airport.
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