History of Puri Jagannath Temple
Jagannath Temple in Puri is one of India’s most revered Vaishnava worship sites. Its main shrine was construct by Anantavarman, a Chodaganga dynasty ruler, in the tenth century. However, the shrine’s deities are older and associated with King Indrayumna (the nephew of Lord Ram), the great mythical ruler in the Satyayuga.
King Anang Bhim Deo, an 1174 AD monarch, ascended to the Orissa throne. The young king was struck by a religious crisis when he killed a Brahmin.
According to tradition, he was a massive investor in public projects to help him repent of his sins. He also built the Jagannath temple walls and ancillary shrines.
He spent a total of a million and a quarter measures of gold on the construction, which was half a million sterling in 1886. It took 14 years to be completed (in 1198 AD).
Chattisanijoga organized the order of temple servants (Chattisanijoga) to manage the Temple that his father had built. Lord Jagannath’s siblings and their relatives’ murtis were worship without interruption until 1568.
After defeating Mukunda Devi, the Gajapati ruler, General Kalapahad led the victorious army under Sultan Suleiman Karani to the Temple complex in 1568 to loot it.
However, the deities were smuggle from Garbha Griha, hidden near Chilika lake. Kalapahad quickly found them and set them on fire. One devotee had followed the army down to the lake and, after they left, managed to recover the Bramha (soul) of the deities in some Ash. (hidden in a mridanga), he brought to Kujang.
The Srimandir was sadden by the departure of Lord Jagannath and 56 other deities from their home. Ramachandra Deva, I ruled the Hindu kingdom of Khurda at this time. Ramachandra Deva, I brought the Bramha into his kingdom.
I organized a Nobokoliboro (the Ritual of the New Body) to return the deities to their temporal abode. After almost a decade, the Lord of all the Universe returned to Puri in 1575.
The devotees gave Ramachandra Devi I the name “Abhinav Indrayumna” (Indrayumna Indrayani) as a token of gratitude. The Mughal Empire recognized Ramachandra Deva 1’s authority over Puri within two decades.
Raja Mansingh conferred ‘Gajapati Ruler in Khurda’ and ‘Superintendent of the Jagannath Temple.’
In 1751, the British and Mahratta took control of the Temple complex. However, local authorities would allow the Rajas to Khurda to manage the Temple and its rituals.
The British East India Company officially handed the Temple’s management over to the Rajas in 1809. They would continue to control the Temple until the British took complete control of the Indian subcontinent.
The Archeological Survey of India began a project in 1975 to remove layers of lime plaster and reveal the original designs. This conservation project lasted two decades.
The Temple, once known by European sailors in the 19th century as the “White Pagoda,” is now proudly display in its natural colours.
Puri Jagannath Temple pooja Rituals
Puri Jagannath Temple Rituals have largely remained unchanged since its construction. It is a unique place where the Lord of all things is worship.
Morning Rituals
Lord and his siblings are treat as family members and loved. They are woke each morning by music and an arati. They are ask to take off their nightclothes, and then their teeth are brush.
After a shower, they are dress for the morning darshan. They will be ask to change the Gopal Ballabh light breakfast, which consists of curd, green coconut, and fruits. At 10 am, a second breakfast (Raj Bhoga) is serve. Digestion, a Betel nut is add.
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Jagannath temple Afternoon Rituals
At 1 pm, the deities enjoy a lavish lunch (Madhyana Dhupa). This mid-day meal featured 435 dishes in 1910. This feast is fit for divinity!
A brief siesta should follow a heavy meal. The deities are no exception. The gods and sanctum Sanctorum are allow to receive cots.
Jagannath temple Evening Rituals
The Creators awaken at 6 in the evening for an evening snack (Sandhya Dhupa) and darshan. They are soon ready to go for Chandanalagi and cooling sandalwood paste.
Jagannath temple Night Rituals
At 10:30, the deities have a late meal (Badasinghar Bhoga). Their cots will be exchange for more comfortable couches in time for bed.
The Sevak, the temple servant, lulls them into sleep by reading the Gita Govinda (12th-century poem by Jayadeva), accompanied by the veena (a guitar phone).
The Lord of the Universe, his siblings, and their companions are allow to sleep in bliss until the morning.
Jagannath temple was built by ???
Legend has it that King Indradyumna was the one who ordered the construction of the Jagannath temple’s first shrine. He is a son of Bharata, Sunanda and a Malava king.
This legend is mention in the Mahabharata as well as the Puranas.
Puri Jagannath temple Legends About the Idols
Legendary accounts found in Skanda-Purana and Brahma Purana and later Odia works state that Lord Jagannath was originally worship as Lord Neela Madhava by a Savar chief (tribal chief).
King Indradyumna heard of the Deity and sent Vidyapati, a Brahmin priest, to find the Deity. He was hidden in a forest by Viswavasu.
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Vidyapati tried his hardest but couldn’t find the spot. He finally married Viswavasu’s daughter Lalita. Vidyarthi repeatedly requested that Viswavasu take his son-in-law blindfolded to a cave, where Lord Neela Madhava was worshipped.
Vidyapati was extremely intelligent. On his way, he dropped mustard seeds onto the ground. After a few days, the seeds germinated, which allowed him to locate the cave later.
King Indradyumna heard from him and immediately went to Odra Desha, Odisha, to pilgrimage to worship and see the Deity. The Deity was gone. The king was disappoint.
The Deity was hidden under the sand. The king refused to leave without having a darshan from the Deity. He stayed on Mount Neela until the end.
Then, an angelic voice called Thou shalt See him. The king then performed a horse sacrifice and built a beautiful temple for Vishnu.
Narada built the Temple with Narasimha Murti. The king saw the vision of Lord Jagannath while he was asleep. A voice from the heavenly realm directed him to take the fragrant tree at the seashore and make idols of it.
The king quickly ran to the spot where Vishnu had mentioned the log in his dream. He wondered who would make idols from it.
Indradyumna hired several sculptors, but none were able to cut the wood. As the king was worries that he would not build the Temple, Lord Vishwakarma, an architect of Gods, appeared before him disguise as Ananta Maharana.
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He was willing to create the sculptures, but he had one condition. He stated that no one should ever see him or enter the workshop without his permission.
It was a long process that took many months and years. The king was curious and eager to see the changes. The king finally opened the doors to find only the three incomplete idols of Jagannath Balbhadra, Subhadra, and Jagannath.
He was puzzle as to why the limbs were not complete. Surprisingly, the craftsman was also gone.
Jagannath temple-rath yatra or chariot festival
One of India’s most revered Vaishnava shrines is the Jagannath Temple in Puri. The sacred site has a long history of cultural and religious antiquity. However, the current Temple was constructed by Anantavarman of Chodaganga’s Chodaganga Dynasty in the 12th century.
The sanctum is associate with King Indrayumna, a member of the Iksvaku Dynasty. He was the nephew and cousin of Lord Ram.
Annually, the Jagannath Temple celebrates 148 festivals, including 12 yatras (28 Upayatras) and 108 ritualistic festivities. The most popular of these is the Ratha Yatra festival, which Jagannath deva celebrates in Asadha (June to July).
It attracts countless devotees from all over the globe every year. The annual Ratha Yatra gives the public an opportunity to darshan their venerated deities.
According to local scriptures, these open religious celebrations are also believe to allay fears about calamities or death.
Jagannath temple puri rath yatra
The three Rathas are currently designe as Rekha-Deul type temples. They are distinguish by their size and colour and the number of wheels.
Jagannatha’s Nandighosa ratha has 16 wheels covered in red and yellow clothes. Daruka is the charioteer for this ratha, while Sankhachuda acts as the ratha rope.
The four white horses that belong on this Ratha are Sankha Balahaka Sweta, Sweta, and Haridaswa. Balabhadra’s Ratha (also known as Taladhvaja) is covers in red and green cloth and has 14 wheels.
Vasuli is Balabhadra’s ratha rope, Matali is his charioteer, and the four black wooden horses attached to this Ratha are called Tibra, Ghora, and Dirghasrama.
Subhadra’s Ratha (also known as Darpadalana, Deviratha) is covered in red and black clothing has 12 wheels, while Arjun is Ratha’s Charioteer. Her Ratha’s four wooden horses are red and named Rochika Mochika Mochika Jita and Aparajita.
Swarnachuda forms her ratha rope. The preparations for the Ratha Yatra begin early. Each year new chariots are made. Construction of these chariots begins on the auspicious day known as Akshay Tritiya.
However, the Navakalebara (new ritual for the making of deities) is the only time that the charioteers and horses and the temple kinases and Parshadevas are made.
On Sri Gundicha Day, the Deul Purohit performs the Ratha Pratistha Puja. A procession begins from the Jagannath Temple sanctum and goes to the rates. This ritual is known as Panhandle.
In a parade, Sudarsana and Balabhadra are take to Subhadra’s ratha. Subhadra is next brought to her ratha. Finally, Jagannath is accept by the Daitapatis along with other Sivakasi to his ratha.
Next, Madanmohan, a Mahajan Sevaka, is take to the rates. Then Gajapati Maharaja, king of Puri performs the Chhera Phamra.
The ritual involves the king being dress as a sweeper. He cleans (Chiara) and sweeps (pharma) around the Rathas. He uses a gold-handled broom and sprinkles sandalwood powder and water.
After King Anangabhima III declared Sri Jagannatha the state deity in Odisha, 1230 CE, the Odishan Kings became representatives of the Deity (Mudarasta).
The most essential “royal duty,” the grand Chhera Pahamra ceremony, is the Gajapati Maharaja Seva. This makes the “Maharaja” of Puri an integral part of the festival, even though monarchy has long since been obsolete.
Chiara Pahamra occurs twice: once at the beginning of the Ratha Yatra and again on the last day. This is when the deities are return to the Jagannath Mandir.
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The rates begin their journey after Chhera Pharma. Many devotees pull them to Gundicha Temple, which is approximately 3 km away. The deities remain in this Temple for nine consecutive days.
On the last day, the Gods are return in their respective rates to Jagannath Mandir during Bahuda Jatra (Ulta-ratha yatra). The three chariots return to the Mausi Maa Temple, given Poda Pitha and bhog.
Jagannath Temple mysteries or Jagannath Puri temple unknown facts
- The cooking technique for prasadam
This particular dish can be cook in pots using firewood. This recipe calls for seven banks, which are place on top of each other. It is interesting to notice that the contents of each pot are cook in order. - The sea mystery
You have probably seen it happen in any part of the globe. During the day, the wind blows towards the sea, while the wind blows towards the ocean at night. But in Puri, these geographical laws are reverse, and it is the exact opposite. - An 1800-year-old flag-ritual
To change the flag, a priest climbs every day to the top of the Temple. It is a 45-story tall building. This ritual has been practise for over 1800 years. The Temple will be close for 18 years if the way is not performe. - The Jagannath temple structure
The Temple’s structure is so light that it doesn’t cast shadows at all times of the day. It is still unclear if it is an engineering feat or a miracle that can only be attribute to divine power. - Mystery of Simhadwaram
There are four main doors to the Jagannath Temple, and Singhadwaram is one of them. You can hear the sound waves as you enter Sindhadwaram. But once you have passed the Singhadwaram, you will be able to turn around and walk back in the same direction. You won’t hear waves as long you stay inside the Temple. - No planes or birds can fly over the Jagannath Temple
It will surprise you to learn that no planes or birds are flying above the Temple. This is unlike any other temple in India. This site is a no-fly zone. It has not been declared officially by any state power but by some divine power. The explanation for this phenomenon is also unknown, and it remains a mystery. - The Sudarshan Chakra
It is 20 feet high and weighs one tonne. It is attach to the Temple’s top. This chakra can be see from almost any part of Puri. It is not clear how engineering works behind chakra placement and positioning. However, regardless of your location, the chakra will always face you. - The Jagannath temple flag that defies logic
Strangely, the flag on top of the Temple always floats in opposite directions to the wind. Your scientific reasoning will come to a halt when the flag is flowing in the opposite direction. You just believe there is something more powerful than science. - Food is never waste
Here, not a single bite of food is waste. According to records, the Temple visited by 2000-20,000 people depending on the day. The daily amount of prasadam that is cook remains constant, and it is never waste and never becomes insufficient for devotees. - The disintegration and death of deities
The dirties are replace with new ones every 14-18 years. These deities, made of neem wood, are believe to dissolve independently. - Reverse the gear of the breeze
It is well-known that the breeze from the sea blows towards the ocean during the day, and vice versa in the evening. It is true for any part of the globe. Puri, however, is the exact opposite!