The%20Jagannath%20Temple%20of%20Puri%20%28Odia%3A%20%u0B1C%u0B17%u0B28%u0B4D%u0B28%u0B3E%u0B25%20%u0B2E%u0B28%u0B4D%u0B26%u0B3F%u0B30%29%20is%20a%20famous%2C%20sacred%20Hindu%20temple%20dedicated%20to%20Jagannath%20and%20located%20on%20the%20eastern%20coast%20of%20India%2C%20at%20Puri%20in%20the%20state%20of%20Odisha.%0A%0AThe%20temple%20is%20an%20important%20pilgrimage%20destination%20for%20many%20Hindu%20traditions%2C%20particularly%20worshippers%20of%20god%20Krishna%20and%20god%20Vishnu%2C%20and%20part%20of%20the%20Char%20Dham%20pilgrimages%20that%20a%20Hindu%20is%20expected%20to%20make%20in%20one%27s%20lifetime.%0A%0AEven%20though%20most%20Hindu%20deities%20that%20are%20worshiped%20are%20made%20out%20of%20stone%20or%20metal%2C%20the%20image%20of%20Jagannath%20is%20wooden.%20Every%20twelve%20or%20nineteen%20years%20these%20wooden%20figures%20are%20ceremoniously%20replaced%20by%20using%20sacred%20trees%2C%20that%20have%20to%20be%20carved%20as%20an%20exact%20replica.%20The%20reason%20behind%20this%20ceremonial%20tradition%20is%20the%20highly%20secret%20Navakalevara%20%28%27New%20Body%27%20or%20%27New%20Embodiment%27%29%20ceremony%2C%20an%20intricate%20set%20of%20rituals%20that%20accompany%20the%20renewal%20of%20the%20wooden%20statues.%0A%0AThe%20temple%20was%20built%20in%20the%2012th%20century%20atop%20its%20ruins%20by%20the%20progenitor%20of%20the%20Eastern%20Ganga%20dynasty%2C%20King%20Anantavarman%20Chodaganga%20Deva.%20The%20temple%20is%20famous%20for%20its%20annual%20Rath%20Yatra%2C%20or%20chariot%20festival%2C%20in%20which%20the%20three%20main%20temple%20deities%20are%20hauled%20on%20huge%20and%20elaborately%20decorated%20temple%20cars.%20Since%20medieval%20times%2C%20it%20is%20also%20associated%20with%20intense%20religious%20fervour.%0A%0AThe%20temple%20is%20sacred%20to%20the%20Vaishnava%20traditions%20and%20saint%20Ramananda%20who%20was%20closely%20associated%20with%20the%20temple.%20It%20is%20also%20of%20particular%20significance%20to%20the%20followers%20of%20the%20Gaudiya%20Vaishnavism%20whose%20founder%2C%20Chaitanya%20Mahaprabhu%2C%20was%20attracted%20to%20the%20deity%2C%20Jagannath%2C%20and%20lived%20in%20Puri%20for%20many%20years.%0A%0ADEITIES%0AThe%20central%20forms%20of%20Jagannath%2C%20Balabhadra%20and%20the%20goddess%20Subhadra%20constitute%20the%20trinity%20of%20deities%20sitting%20on%20the%20bejewelled%20platform%20or%20the%20Ratnabedi%20in%20the%20inner%20sanctum.%20The%20Sudarshan%20Chakra%2C%20deities%20of%20Madanmohan%2C%20Sridevi%20and%20Vishwadhatri%20are%20also%20placed%20on%20the%20Ratnavedi.%20The%20deities%20of%20Jagannath%2C%20Balabhadra%2C%20Subhadra%20and%20Sudarshan%20Chakra%20are%20made%20from%20sacred%20Neem%20logs%20known%20as%20Daru%20Brahma.%20Depending%20on%20the%20season%20the%20deities%20are%20adorned%20in%20different%20garbs%20and%20jewels.%20Worship%20of%20the%20deities%20pre-date%20the%20temple%20structure%20and%20may%20have%20originated%20in%20an%20ancient%20tribal%20shrine.%0A%0AORIGINS%20OF%20THE%20TEMPLE%0AAccording%20to%20the%20recently%20discovered%20copper%20plates%20from%20the%20Ganga%20dynasty%2C%20the%20construction%20of%20the%20current%20Jagannath%20temple%20was%20initiated%20by%20the%20ruler%20of%20Kalinga%2C%20Anantavarman%20Chodaganga%20Dev.%20The%20Jaga%20mohan%20and%20the%20Vimana%20portions%20of%20the%20temple%20were%20built%20during%20his%20reign%20%281078%20-%201148%20CE%29.%20However%2C%20it%20was%20only%20in%20the%20year%201174%20CE%20that%20the%20Oriya%20ruler%20Ananga%20Bhima%20Deva%20rebuilt%20the%20temple%20to%20give%20a%20shape%20in%20which%20it%20stands%20today.%0A%0AJagannath%20worship%20in%20the%20temple%20continued%20until%201558%2C%20when%20Odisha%20was%20attacked%20by%20the%20Afghan%20general%20Kalapahad.%20Subsequently%2C%20when%20Ramachandra%20Deb%20established%20an%20independent%20kingdom%20at%20Khurda%20in%20Orissa%2C%20the%20temple%20was%20consecrated%20and%20the%20deities%20reinstalled.%0A%0ALEGENDS%0ALegendary%20account%20as%20found%20in%20the%20Skanda-Purana%2C%20Brahma%20Purana%20and%20other%20Puranas%20and%20later%20Oriya%20works%20state%20that%20Lord%20Jagannath%20was%20originally%20worshipped%20as%20Lord%20Neela%20Madhaba%20by%20a%20Savar%20king%20%28tribal%20chief%29%20named%20Viswavasu.%20Having%20heard%20about%20the%20deity%2C%20King%20Indradyumna%20sent%20a%20Brahmin%20priest%2C%20Vidyapati%20to%20locate%20the%20deity%2C%20who%20was%20worshipped%20secretly%20in%20a%20dense%20forest%20by%20Viswavasu.%20Vidyapati%20tried%20his%20best%20but%20could%20not%20locate%20the%20place.%20But%20at%20last%20he%20managed%20to%20marry%20Viswavasu%27s%20daughter%20Lalita.%20At%20repeated%20request%20of%20Vidyapti%2C%20Viswavasu%20took%20his%20son-in-law%20blind%20folded%20to%20a%20cave%20where%20Lord%20Neela%20Madhaba%20was%20worshipped.%0A%0AVidyapati%20was%20very%20intelligent.%20He%20dropped%20mustard%20seeds%20on%20the%20ground%20on%20the%20way.%20The%20seeds%20germinated%20after%20a%20few%20days%2C%20which%20enabled%20him%20to%20find%20out%20the%20cave%20later%20on.%20On%20hearing%20from%20him%2C%20King%20Indradyumna%20proceeded%20immediately%20to%20Odra%20desha%20Orissa%20on%20a%20pilgrimage%20to%20see%20and%20worship%20the%20Deity.%20But%20the%20deity%20had%20disappeared.%20The%20king%20was%20disappointed.%20The%20Deity%20was%20hidden%20in%20sand.%20The%20king%20was%20determined%20not%20to%20return%20without%20having%20a%20darshan%20of%20the%20deity%20and%20observed%20fast%20unto%20death%20at%20Mount%20Neela%2C%20Then%20a%20celestial%20voice%20cried%20%27thou%20shalt%20see%20him.%27%20Afterwards%20the%20king%20performed%20a%20horse%20sacrifice%20and%20built%20a%20magnificent%20temple%20for%20Vishnu.%20Sri%20Narasimha%20Murti%20brought%20by%20Narada%20was%20installed%20in%20the%20temple.%20During%20sleep%2C%20the%20king%20had%20a%20vision%20of%20Lord%20Jagannath.%20Also%20an%20astral%20voice%20directed%20him%20to%20receive%20the%20fragrant%20tree%20on%20the%20seashore%20and%20make%20idols%20out%20of%20it.%20Accordingly%2C%20the%20king%20got%20the%20image%20of%20Lord%20Jagannath%2C%20Balabhadra%2C%20Subhadra%20and%20Chakra%20Sudarshan%20made%20out%20of%20the%20wood%20of%20the%20divine%20tree%20and%20installed%20them%20in%20the%20temple.%0A%0AINDRADYUMNA%B4S%20PRAYER%20TO%20LORD%20BRAHMA%0AKing%20Indradyumna%20put%20up%20for%20Jagannath%20the%20tallest%20monument%20of%20the%20world.%20It%20was%201%2C000%20cubits%20high.%20He%20invited%20Lord%20Brahma%2C%20the%20cosmic%20creator%2C%20consecrate%20the%20temple%20and%20the%20images.%20Brahma%20came%20all%20the%20way%20from%20Heaven%20for%20this%20purpose.%20Seeing%20the%20temple%20he%20was%20immensely%20pleased%20with%20him.%20Brahma%20asked%20Indradyumna%20as%20to%20in%20what%20way%20can%20he%20%28Brahma%29%20fulfill%20the%20king%27s%20desire%2C%20since%20was%20very%20much%20pleased%20with%20him%20for%20his%20having%20put%20the%20most%20beautiful%20Temple%20for%20Lord%20Vishnu.%20With%20folded%20hands%2C%20Indradyumna%20said%2C%20%26quot%3BMy%20Lord%20if%20you%20are%20really%20pleased%20with%20me%2C%20kindly%20bless%20me%20with%20one%20thing%2C%20and%20it%20is%20that%20I%20should%20be%20issueless%20and%20that%20I%20should%20be%20the%20last%20member%20of%20my%20family.%26quot%3B%20In%20case%20anybody%20left%20alive%20after%20him%2C%20he%20would%20only%20take%20pride%20as%20the%20owner%20of%20the%20temple%20and%20would%20not%20work%20for%20the%20society.%0A%0ATHE%20EPISODE%20OF%20THE%20LORD%B4S%20GRACE%20DURING%20A%20WAR%20WITH%20KANCHI%0AAt%20one%20time%2C%20a%20king%20of%20Kanchi%20in%20the%20down%20south%20remarked%20that%20the%20king%20of%20Orissa%20was%20a%20chandala%20%28a%20man%20of%20very%20low%20caste%20or%20status%29%20because%2C%20he%20performs%20the%20duties%20of%20a%20sweeper%20during%20the%20Car%20Festival.%20When%20this%20news%20reached%20the%20ears%20of%20the%20king%20of%20Orissa%2C%20he%20led%20an%20expedition%20to%20Kanchi.%20Before%20that%2C%20he%20implored%20the%20mercy%20of%20Lord%20Jagannath.%20The%20soldiers%20of%20Orissa%20marched%20towards%20Kanchi%20from%20Cuttack%20%28earlier%20capital%20city%20of%20Orissa%2C%20located%20on%20the%20banks%20of%20Mahanadi%2C%20at%20a%20distance%20of%2030%20km%20from%20Bhubaneswar.%20It%20so%20happened%20that%20when%20the%20soldiers%2C%20headed%20by%20the%20king%20Purusottam%20Dev%2C%20reached%20a%20place%20near%20the%20Chilika%20lake%2C%20a%20lady%2C%20who%20was%20selling%20curd%20%28yogurt%29%20met%20him%20%28the%20king%29%20and%20presented%20a%20golden%20ring%20studded%20with%20precious%20gems%20and%20submitted.%20%26quot%3BMy%20Lord%2C%20kindly%20listen%20to%20me.%20A%20little%20earlier%2C%20two%20soldiers%20riding%20over%20two%20horses%20%28white%20and%20black%20in%20colour%29%2C%20approached%20me%20and%20said%20we%20are%20thirsty%20give%20us%20curds%20to%20drink.%27%20I%20gave%20them%20curds.%20Instead%20of%20giving%20me%20money%2C%20they%20gave%20me%20this%20ring%20and%20said%2C%27the%20king%20of%20Orissa%20will%20come%20here%2C%20after%20some%20time%2C%20on%20his%20way%20to%20Kanchi.%20You%20present%20it%20to%20him%20and%20he%20will%20pay%20you%20the%20money.%27%20So%20my%20Lord%2C%20you%20take%20it%20and%20give%20me%20my%20dues.%0A%0AIt%20took%20no%20time%20for%20the%20king%20to%20know%20that%20the%20ring%20belongs%20to%20Lord%20Jagannath.%20He%20was%20convinced%20that%20Jagannath%20and%20Balabhadra%20were%20proceeding%20to%20the%20battle%20field%20ahead%20of%20him%20to%20help%20him%20there.%20To%20perpetuate%20the%20memory%20of%20this%20great%20incident%2C%20the%20king%20founded%20a%20village%20in%20the%20Chilika%20lake%20area.%20As%20the%20name%20of%20the%20lady%20was%20Manika%2C%20the%20name%20given%20to%20the%20village%20was%20Manika%20Patana.%20Even%20to%20this%20day%2C%20the%20curds%20of%20this%20village%20are%20famous.%0A%0ALEGEND%20SURROUNDING%20THE%20TEMPLE%20ORIGIN%0AThe%20traditional%20story%20concerning%20the%20origins%20of%20the%20Lord%20Jagannath%20temple%20is%20that%20here%20the%20original%20image%20of%20Jagannath%20%28a%20deity%20form%20of%20Vishnu%29%20at%20the%20end%20of%20Treta%20yuga%20manifested%20near%20a%20banyan%20tree%2C%20near%20seashore%20in%20the%20form%20of%20an%20Indranila%20nilamani%20or%20the%20Blue%20Jewel.%20It%20was%20so%20dazzling%20that%20it%20could%20grant%20instant%20moksha%2C%20so%20the%20god%20Dharma%20or%20Yama%20wanted%20to%20hide%20it%20in%20the%20earth%2C%20and%20was%20successful.%20In%20Dvapara%20Yuga%20King%20Indradyumna%20of%20Malwa%20wanted%20to%20find%20that%20mysterious%20image%20and%20to%20do%20so%20he%20performed%20harsh%20penances%20to%20obtain%20his%20goal.%20Vishnu%20then%20instructed%20him%20to%20go%20to%20the%20Puri%20seashore%20and%20find%20a%20floating%20log%20to%20make%20an%20image%20from%20its%20trunk.%0A%0AThe%20King%20found%20the%20log%20of%20wood.%20He%20did%20a%20yajna%20from%20which%20god%20Yajna%20Nrisimha%20appeared%20and%20instructed%20that%20Narayana%20should%20be%20made%20as%20fourfold%20expansion%2C%20i.e.%20Paramatma%20as%20Vasudeva%2C%20his%20Vyuha%20as%20Samkarshana%2C%20Yogamaya%20as%20Subhadra%2C%20and%20his%20Vibhava%20asSudarsana.%20Vishwakarma%20appeared%20in%20the%20form%20of%20artist%20and%20prepared%20images%20of%20Jagannath%2C%20Balabhadra%20and%20Subhadra%20from%20the%20tree.%20When%20this%20log%2C%20radiant%20with%20light%20was%20seen%20floating%20in%20the%20sea%2C%20Narada%20told%20the%20king%20to%20make%20three%20idols%20out%20of%20it%20and%20place%20them%20in%20a%20pavilion.%20Indradyumna%20got%20Visvakarma%2C%20the%20architect%20of%20Gods%2C%20to%20build%20a%20magnificent%20temple%20to%20house%20the%20idols%20and%20Vishnu%20himself%20appeared%20in%20the%20guise%20of%20a%20carpenter%20to%20make%20the%20idols%20on%20condition%20that%20he%20was%20to%20be%20left%20undisturbed%20until%20he%20finished%20the%20work.%0A%0ABut%20just%20after%20two%20weeks%2C%20the%20Queen%20became%20very%20anxious.%20She%20took%20the%20carpenter%20to%20be%20dead%20as%20no%20sound%20came%20from%20the%20temple.%20Therefore%2C%20she%20requested%20the%20king%20to%20open%20the%20door.%20Thus%2C%20they%20went%20to%20see%20Vishnu%20at%20work%20at%20which%20the%20latter%20abandoned%20his%20work%20leaving%20the%20idols%20unfinished.%20The%20idol%20was%20devoid%20of%20any%20hands.%20But%20a%20divine%20voice%20told%20Indradyumana%20to%20install%20them%20in%20the%20temple.%20It%20has%20also%20been%20widely%20believed%20that%20in%20spite%20of%20the%20idol%20being%20without%20hands%2C%20it%20can%20watch%20over%20the%20world%20and%20be%20its%20lord.%20Thus%20the%20idiom.%0A%0AINVASIONS%20AND%20DESECRATIONS%20OF%20THE%20TEMPLE%0AThe%20temple%20annals%2C%20the%20Madala%20Panji%20records%20that%20the%20Jagannath%20temple%20at%20Puri%20has%20been%20invaded%20and%20plundered%20eighteen%20times.%20The%20invasion%20by%20Raktabahu%20has%20been%20considered%20the%20first%20invasion%20on%20the%20temple%20by%20the%20Madalapanji.%0A%0ARANJIT%20SINGH%B4S%20WILL%0ASikh%20ruler%20Maharaja%20Ranjit%20Singh%2C%20had%20donated%20massive%20amounts%20of%20gold%20to%20the%20Jagannath%20temple.%20In%20his%20last%20will%2C%20he%20also%20ordered%20that%20Koh-i-noor%2C%20the%20most%20precious%20and%20greatest%20diamond%20in%20the%20world%2C%20to%20be%20donated%20to%20this%20temple%2C%20but%20the%20diamond%20could%20never%20actually%20make%20its%20way%20to%20the%20temple%20because%20the%20British%2C%20by%20that%20time%2C%20had%20annexed%20the%20Punjab%20and%20all%20its%20royal%20possessions.%20Thus%2C%20claiming%20that%20the%20Koh-i-noor%20was%20theirs.%20It%20is%20currently%20a%20part%20of%20British%20crown%20jewels%20and%20is%20located%20in%20the%20Tower%20of%20London.%0A%0AENTRY%20AND%20DARSHAN%0ATemple%20has%204%20entrances%20in%20all%20directions.Temple%20security%20is%20selective%20regarding%20who%20is%20allowed%20entry.%20Practicing%20Hindus%20of%20non-Indian%20descent%20are%20excluded%20from%20premises%2C%20as%20are%20Hindus%20of%20non-Indian%20origin.%20Visitors%20not%20allowed%20entry%20may%20view%20the%20precincts%20from%20the%20roof%20of%20the%20nearby%20Raghunandan%20Library%20and%20pay%20their%20respects%20to%20the%20image%20of%20God%20Jagannath%20known%20as%20Patitapavana%20at%20the%20main%20entrance%20to%20the%20temple.%20There%20is%20some%20evidence%20that%20this%20came%20into%20force%20following%20a%20series%20of%20invasions%20by%20foreigners%20into%20the%20temple%20and%20surrounding%20area.%20Buddhist%2C%20and%20Jain%20groups%20are%20allowed%20into%20the%20temple%20compound%20if%20they%20are%20able%20to%20prove%20their%20Indian%20ancestry.%20The%20temple%20has%20slowly%20started%20allowing%20Hindus%20of%20non-Indian%20origin%20into%20the%20area%2C%20after%20an%20incident%20in%20which%203%20Balinese%20Hindus%20were%20denied%20entry%2C%20even%20though%20Bali%20is%2090%25%20Hindu.%0A%0AThe%20temple%20remains%20open%20from%205%20am%20to%2012%20midnight.%20Unlike%20many%20other%20temples%20devotees%20can%20go%20behind%20the%20idols%28go%20round%20the%20idols%29.All%20devotees%20are%20allowed%20to%20go%20right%20up%20to%20the%20deities%20during%20the%20Sahana%20Mela%20without%20paying%20any%20fees%20.%20The%20Sahana%20mela%20or%20the%20public%20darshan%20is%20usually%20following%20the%20abakasha%20puja%20between%20around%207%20to%208%20am%20in%20the%20morning.%20Special%20darshan%20or%20Parimanik%20darshan%20is%20when%20devotees%20on%20paying%2050%20Rupees%20are%20allowed%20right%20up%20to%20the%20deities.%20Parimanik%20darshan%20happens%20after%20the%20dhupa%20pujas%20at%20around%2010%20am%2C%201%20pm%20and%208%20pm%20.%20At%20all%20other%20times%20devotees%20can%20view%20the%20deities%20from%20some%20distance%20for%20free.%20The%20rathyatra%20occurs%20every%20year%20some%20time%20in%20the%20month%20of%20July.%202%20or%206%20weeks%20before%20Rathyatra%20%28depending%20upon%20the%20year%29%20there%20is%20a%20ritual%20of%20Lord%20undergoing%20%26quot%3BBhukaar%26quot%3B%20%28sick%29%20hence%20the%20idols%20are%20not%20on%20%26quot%3BDarshan%26quot%3B.%20Devotees%20to%20make%20a%20note%20of%20this%20before%20they%20plan%20to%20visit%20the%20lord.%0A%0ACULTURAL%20INTEGRITY%0AShrikshetra%20of%20Puri%20Jagannath%2C%20as%20is%20commonly%20known%2C%20can%20verily%20be%20said%20to%20be%20a%20truthful%20replica%20of%20Indian%20culture.%20To%20understand%20this%20culture%2C%20one%20has%20to%20have%20some%20idea%20of%20the%20history%20of%20this%20land%2C%20which%20again%20is%20different%20from%20that%20of%20other%20countries%20of%20the%20world.%0A%0AStarting%20from%20Lord%20Jagannath%20himself%2C%20history%20has%20it%20that%20he%20was%20a%20tribal%20deity%2C%20adorned%20by%20the%20Sabar%20people%2C%20as%20a%20symbol%20of%20Narayan.%20Another%20legend%20claims%20him%20to%20be%20Nilamadhava%2C%20an%20image%20of%20Narayana%20made%20of%20blue%20stone%20and%20worshipped%20by%20the%20aboriginals.%20He%20was%20brought%20to%20Nilagiri%20%28blue%20mountain%29%20or%20Nilachala%20and%20installed%20there%20as%20Shri%20Jagannath%20in%20company%20with%20Balabhadra%20and%20Subhadra.%20The%20images%20made%20of%20wood%20are%20also%20claimed%20to%20have%20their%20distant%20linkage%20with%20the%20aboriginal%20system%20of%20worshipping%20wooden%20poles.%20To%20cap%20it%20all%20the%20Daitapatis%2C%20who%20have%20a%20fair%20share%20of%20responsibilities%20to%20perform%20rituals%20of%20the%20Temple%2C%20are%20claimed%20to%20be%20descendants%20of%20the%20aboriginals%20or%20hill%20tribes%20of%20Orissa.%20So%20we%20may%20safely%20claim%20that%20the%20beginning%20of%20the%20cultural%20history%20of%20Shrikshetra%20is%20found%20in%20the%20fusion%20of%20Hindu%20and%20Tribal%20Cultures.%20This%20has%20been%20accepted%20as%20a%20facet%20of%20our%20proud%20heritage.%20The%20three%20deities%20came%20to%20be%20claimed%20as%20the%20symbols%20of%20Samyak%20Darshan%2C%20Samyak%20Jnana%20and%20Samyak%20Charita%20usually%20regarded%20as%20Triratha%20%28of%20the%20Jain%20cult%29%2C%20an%20assimilation%20of%20which%20leads%20to%20Moksha%20%28salvation%29%20or%20the%20ultimate%20bliss...%0A%0AJagannath%20is%20worshipped%20as%20Vishnu%20or%20Narayana%20or%20Krishna%20and%20Lord%20Balabhadra%20as%20Shesha.%20Simultaneously%2C%20the%20deities%20are%20regarded%20as%20the%20bhairava%20with%20Vimala%20%28the%20devi%20or%20the%20consort%20of%20Shiva%29%20installed%20in%20the%20campus%20of%20the%20temple.%20So%20ultimately%20we%20find%20a%20fusion%20of%20Saivism%2C%20Shaktism%20and%20Vaishnavism%20of%20the%20Hindu%20religion%20with%20Jainism%20and%20up%20to%20an%20extent%20Buddhism%20in%20the%20culture%20of%20Jagannath%20and%20the%20cultural%20tradition%20so%20reverently%20held%20together%20in%20Shrikshetra.%0A%0AACHARYAS%20AND%20JAGANNATHA%20PURI%0AAll%20of%20the%20renowned%20acharyas%20including%20Madhvacharya%20have%20been%20known%20to%20visit%20this%20kshetra.%20Adi%20Shankara%20established%20his%20Govardhana%20matha%20here.%20There%20is%20also%20evidence%20that%20Guru%20Nanak%2C%20Kabir%2C%20Tulsidas%2C%20Ramanujacharya%2C%20and%20Nimbarkacharya%20had%20visited%20this%20place.%20Sri%20Chaitanya%20Mahaprabhu%20of%20Gaudiya%20Vaishnavism%20stayed%20here%20for%2024%20years%2C%20establishing%20that%20the%20love%20of%20god%20can%20be%20spread%20by%20chanting%20the%20Hare%20Krishna%20mantra.%20Srimad%20Vallabhacharya%20visited%20Jagannath%20Puri%20and%20performed%20a%207-day%20recitation%20of%20Srimad%20Bhagvat.%20His%20sitting%20place%20is%20still%20famous%20as%20%26quot%3Bbaithakji.%26quot%3B%20It%20confirms%20his%20visit%20to%20Puri.%20A%20famous%20incident%20took%20place%20when%20Vallabhachrya%20visited.%20There%20was%20a%20discourse%20being%20held%20between%20the%20Brahmins%20and%204%20questions%20were%20asked.%20Who%20is%20the%20highest%20of%20Gods%2C%20What%20is%20the%20highest%20of%20mantras%2C%20What%20is%20the%20highest%20scripture%20and%20What%20is%20the%20highest%20service.%20The%20discourse%20went%20on%20for%20many%20days%20with%20many%20schools%20of%20thought.%20Finally%20Shri%20Vallabh%20said%20to%20ask%20Lord%20Jagannath%20to%20confirm%20Shri%20Vallabh%27s%20answers.%20A%20pen%20and%20paper%20were%20left%20in%20the%20inner%20sanctum.%20After%20some%20time%2C%20the%20doors%20were%20opened%20and%204%20answers%20were%20written.%201%29%20The%20Son%20of%20Devaki%20%28Krishna%29%20is%20the%20God%20of%20Gods%202%29%20His%20name%20is%20the%20highest%20of%20mantras%203%29%20His%20song%20is%20the%20highest%20scripture%20%28Bhagavat%20Geeta%29%204%29%20Service%20to%20Him%20is%20the%20Highest%20service.%20The%20king%20was%20shocked%20and%20declared%20Shri%20Vallabh%20the%20winner%20of%20the%20discourse.%20Some%20of%20the%20pandits%20who%20participated%20became%20jealous%20of%20Shri%20Vallabh%20and%20wanted%20to%20test%20Him.%20The%20next%20day%20was%20Ekadashi%2C%20a%20fasting%20day%20where%20one%20must%20fast%20from%20grains.%20The%20pandits%20gave%20Shri%20Vallabh%20rice%20Prasad%20of%20Shri%20Jagannathji%20%28The%20temple%20is%20famous%20for%20this%29.%20If%20Shri%20Vallabh%20ate%20it%2C%20He%20would%20break%20His%20vow%20of%20fasting%20but%20if%20He%20did%20not%20take%20it%2C%20He%20would%20disrespect%20Lord%20Jagannath.%20Shri%20Vallabh%20accepted%20the%20prasad%20in%20his%20hand%20and%20spent%20the%20rest%20of%20the%20day%20and%20night%20explaining%20slokas%20of%20the%20greatness%20of%20Prasad%20and%20ate%20the%20rice%20the%20next%20morning.%0A%0ACHAR%20DHAM%0AThe%20temple%20is%20one%20of%20the%20holiest%20Hindu%20Char%20Dham%20%28four%20divine%20sites%29%20sites%20comprising%20Rameswaram%2C%20Badrinath%2C%20Puri%20and%20Dwarka.%20Though%20the%20origins%20are%20not%20clearly%20known%2C%20the%20Advaita%20school%20of%20Hinduism%20propagated%20by%20Sankaracharya%2C%20who%20created%20Hindu%20monastic%20institutions%20across%20India%2C%20attributes%20the%20origin%20of%20Char%20Dham%20to%20the%20seer.%20The%20four%20monasteries%20lie%20across%20the%20four%20corners%20of%20India%20and%20their%20attendant%20temples%20are%20Badrinath%20Temple%20at%20Badrinath%20in%20the%20North%2C%20Jagannath%20Temple%20at%20Puri%20in%20the%20East%2C%20Dwarakadheesh%20Temple%20at%20Dwarka%20in%20the%20West%20and%20Ramanathaswamy%20Temple%20at%20Rameswaram%20in%20the%20South.%20Though%20ideologically%20the%20temples%20are%20divided%20between%20the%20sects%20of%20Hinduism%2C%20namely%20Saivism%20and%20Vaishnavism%2C%20the%20Char%20Dham%20pilgrimage%20is%20an%20all%20Hindu%20affair.%20There%20are%20four%20abodes%20in%20Himalayas%20called%20Chota%20Char%20Dham%20%28Chota%20meaning%20small%29%3A%20Badrinath%2C%20Kedarnath%2C%20Gangotri%20and%20Yamunotri%20-%20all%20of%20these%20lie%20at%20the%20foot%20hills%20of%20Himalayas%20The%20name%20Chota%20was%20added%20during%20the%20mid%20of%2020th%20century%20to%20differentiate%20the%20original%20Char%20Dhams.%20The%20journey%20across%20the%20four%20cardinal%20points%20in%20India%20is%20considered%20sacred%20by%20Hindus%20who%20aspire%20to%20visit%20these%20temples%20once%20in%20their%20lifetime.%20Traditionally%20the%20trip%20starts%20at%20the%20eastern%20end%20from%20Puri%2C%20proceeding%20in%20clockwise%20direction%20in%20a%20manner%20typically%20followed%20for%20circumambulation%20in%20Hindu%20temples.%0A%0ASTRUCTURE%0AThe%20huge%20temple%20complex%20covers%20an%20area%20of%20over%2037%2C000%20m2%2C%20and%20is%20surrounded%20by%20a%20high%20fortified%20wall.%20This%206.1%20m%20high%20wall%20is%20known%20as%20Meghanada%20Pacheri.%20Another%20wall%20known%20as%20kurma%20bedha%20surrounds%20the%20main%20temple.%20It%20contains%20at%20least%20120%20temples%20and%20shrines.%20With%20its%20sculptural%20richness%20and%20fluidity%20of%20the%20Oriya%20style%20of%20temple%20architecture%2C%20it%20is%20one%20of%20the%20most%20magnificent%20monuments%20of%20India.%20The%20temple%20has%20four%20distinct%20sectional%20structures%2C%20namely%20-%0A%0A-%20Deula%2C%20Vimana%20or%20Garba%20griha%20%28Sanctum%20sanctorum%29%20where%20the%20triad%20deities%20are%20lodged%20on%20the%20ratnavedi%20%28Throne%20of%20Pearls%29.%20In%20Rekha%20Deula%20style%3B%0A-%20Mukhashala%20%28Frontal%20porch%29%3B%0A-%20Nata%20mandir/Natamandapa%2C%20which%20is%20also%20known%20as%20the%20Jagamohan%20%28Audience%20Hall/Dancing%20Hall%29%2C%20and%0A-%20Bhoga%20Mandapa%20%28Offerings%20Hall%29.%0A%0AThe%20main%20temple%20is%20a%20curvilinear%20temple%20and%20crowning%20the%20top%20is%20the%20%27srichakra%27%20%28an%20eight%20spoked%20wheel%29%20of%20Vishnu.%20Also%20known%20as%20the%20%26quot%3BNilachakra%26quot%3B%2C%20it%20is%20made%20out%20of%20Ashtadhatu%20and%20is%20considered%20sacrosanct.%20Among%20the%20existing%20temples%20in%20Orissa%2C%20the%20temple%20of%20Shri%20Jagannath%20is%20the%20highest.%20The%20temple%20tower%20was%20built%20on%20a%20raised%20platform%20of%20stone%20and%2C%20rising%20to%2065%20m%20above%20the%20inner%20sanctum%20where%20the%20deities%20reside%2C%20dominates%20the%20surrounding%20landscape.%20The%20pyramidal%20roofs%20of%20the%20surrounding%20temples%20and%20adjoining%20halls%2C%20or%20mandapas%2C%20rise%20in%20steps%20toward%20the%20tower%20like%20a%20ridge%20of%20mountain%20peaks.%0A%0ANILA%20CHAKRA%0AThe%20Nila%20Chakra%20%28Blue%20Discus%29%20is%20the%20discus%20mounted%20on%20the%20top%20shikhar%20of%20the%20Jagannath%20Temple.%20As%20per%20custom%2C%20everyday%20a%20different%20flag%20is%20waved%20on%20the%20Nila%20Chakra.%20The%20flag%20hoisted%20on%20the%20Nila%20Cakra%20is%20called%20the%20Patita%20Pavana%20%28Purifier%20of%20the%20Fallen%29%20and%20is%20equivalent%20to%20the%20image%20of%20the%20deities%20placed%20in%20the%20sanctum%20sanctorum%20.%0A%0AThe%20Nila%20Chakra%20is%20a%20disc%20with%20eight%20Navagunjaras%20carved%20on%20the%20outer%20circumference%2C%20with%20all%20facing%20towards%20the%20flagpost%20above.%20It%20is%20made%20of%20alloy%20of%20eight%20metals%20%28Asta-dhatu%29%20and%20is%203.5%20Metres%20high%20with%20a%20circumference%20of%20about%2011%20metres.%20During%20the%20year%202010%2C%20the%20Nila%20Chakra%20was%20repaired%20and%20restored%20by%20the%20Archaeological%20Survey%20of%20India.%0A%0AThe%20Nila%20Chakra%20is%20distinct%20from%20the%20Sudarshana%20chakra%20which%20has%20been%20placed%20with%20the%20deities%20in%20the%20inner%20sanctorum.%0A%0ANila%20Chakra%20is%20the%20most%20revered%20iconic%20symbol%20in%20the%20Jagannath%20cult.%20The%20Nila%20Chakra%20is%20the%20only%20physical%20object%20whose%20markings%20are%20used%20as%20sacrament%20and%20considered%20sacred%20in%20Jagannath%20worship.%20It%20symbolizes%20protection%20by%20Shri%20Jagannath.%0A%0ATHE%20SINGHADWARA%0AThe%20Singahdwara%2C%20which%20in%20Sanskrit%20means%20The%20Lion%20Gate%2C%20is%20one%20of%20the%20four%20gates%20to%20the%20temple%20and%20forms%20the%20Main%20entrance.%20The%20Singhadwara%20is%20so%20named%20because%20two%20huge%20statues%20of%20crouching%20lions%20exist%20on%20either%20side%20of%20the%20entrance.%20The%20gate%20faces%20east%20opening%20on%20to%20the%20Bada%20Danda%20or%20the%20Grand%20Road.%20The%20Baisi%20Pahacha%20or%20the%20flight%20of%20twenty%20two%20steps%20leads%20into%20the%20temple%20complex.%20An%20idol%20of%20Jagannath%20known%20as%20Patitapavana%2C%20which%20in%20Sanskrit%2C%20means%20the%20%26quot%3BSaviour%20of%20the%20downtrodden%20and%20the%20fallen%26quot%3B%20is%20painted%20on%20the%20right%20side%20of%20the%20entrance.%20In%20ancient%20times%20when%20untouchables%20were%20not%20allowed%20inside%20the%20temple%2C%20they%20could%20pray%20to%20Patita%20Pavana.%20The%20statues%20of%20the%20two%20guards%20to%20the%20temple%20Jaya%20and%20Vijaya%20stand%20on%20either%20side%20of%20the%20doorway.%20Just%20before%20the%20commencement%20of%20the%20Rath%20Yatra%20the%20idols%20of%20Jagannath%2C%20Balabhadra%20and%20Subhadra%20are%20taken%20out%20of%20the%20temple%20through%20this%20gate.%20On%20their%20return%20from%20the%20Gundicha%20Temple%20they%20have%20to%20ceremonially%20placate%20Goddess%20Mahalakshmi%2C%20whose%20statue%20is%20carved%20atop%20the%20door%2C%20for%20neglecting%20to%20take%20her%20with%20them%20on%20the%20Yatra.%20Only%20then%20the%20Goddess%20allows%20them%20permission%20to%20enter%20the%20temple.%20A%20magnificent%20sixteen-sided%20monolithic%20pillar%20known%20as%20the%20Arun%20stambha%20stands%20in%20front%20of%20the%20main%20gate.%20This%20pillar%20has%20an%20idol%20of%20Arun%2C%20the%20charioteer%20of%20the%20Sun%20God%20Surya%2C%20on%20its%20top.%20One%20significant%20thing%20about%20Arun%20stambha%20is%20that%20prior%20it%20was%20located%20in%20the%20Konark%20Sun%20temple%2C%20later%2C%20the%20Maratha%20guru%20Brahmachari%20Gosain%20brought%20this%20pillar%20from%20Konark.%20The%20Puri%20Jagannath%20Temple%20was%20also%20saved%20by%20Maratha%20emperor%20Shivaji%20from%20being%20plundered%20at%20his%20times%20from%20the%20Mughals.%0A%0AOTHER%20ENTRANCES%0AApart%20from%20the%20Singhadwara%2C%20which%20is%20the%20main%20entrance%20to%20the%20temple%2C%20there%20are%20three%20other%20entrances%20facing%20north%2C%20south%20and%20west.%20They%20are%20named%20after%20the%20sculptures%20of%20animals%20guarding%20them.%20The%20other%20entrances%20are%20the%20Hathidwara%20or%20the%20Elephant%20Gate%2C%20the%20Vyaghradwara%20or%20the%20Tiger%20Gate%20and%20the%20Ashwadwara%20or%20the%20Horse%20Gate.%0A%0AMINOR%20TEMPLES%0AThere%20are%20numerous%20smaller%20temples%20and%20shrines%20within%20the%20Temple%20complex%20where%20active%20worship%20is%20regularly%20conducted.%20The%20Vimala%20Temple%20%28Bimala%20Temple%29%20is%20considered%20one%20of%20the%20most%20important%20of%20the%20Shaktipeeths%20marks%20the%20spot%20where%20the%20goddess%20Sati%27s%20feet%20fell.%20It%20is%20located%20near%20Rohini%20Kund%20in%20the%20temple%20complex.%20Until%20food%20offered%20to%20Jagannath%20is%20offered%20to%20Goddess%20Vimala%20it%20is%20not%20considered%20Mahaprasad.%0A%0AThe%20temple%20of%20Mahalakshmi%20has%20an%20important%20role%20in%20rituals%20of%20the%20main%20temple.%20It%20is%20said%20that%20preparation%20of%20naivedya%20as%20offering%20for%20Jagannath%20is%20supervised%20by%20Mahalakshmi.%20The%20Kanchi%20Ganesh%20Temple%20is%20dedicated%20to%20Uchchhishta%20Ganapati.%20Tradition%20says%20the%20King%20of%20Kanchipuram%20%28Kanchi%29%20in%20ancient%20times%20gifted%20the%20idol%2C%20when%20Gajapati%20Purushottama%20Deva%20married%20Padmavati%2C%20the%20kanchi%20princess.%20There%20are%20other%20shrines%20namely%20Muktimandap%2C%20Surya%2C%20Saraswati%2C%20Bhuvaneshwari%2C%20Narasimha%2C%20Rama%2C%20Hanuman%20and%20Eshaneshwara.%0A%0ATHE%20MANDAPAS%0AThere%20are%20many%20Mandapas%20or%20Pillared%20halls%20on%20raised%20platforms%20within%20the%20temple%20complex%20meant%20for%20religious%20congregations.%20The%20most%20prominent%20is%20the%20Mukti%20Mandapa%20the%20congregation%20hall%20of%20the%20holy%20seat%20of%20selected%20learned%20brahmins.%20Here%20important%20decisions%20regarding%20conduct%20of%20daily%20worship%20and%20festivals%20are%20taken.%20The%20Dola%20Mandapa%20is%20noteworthy%20for%20a%20beautifully%20carved%20stone%20Torana%20or%20arch%20which%20is%20used%20for%20constructing%20a%20swing%20for%20the%20annual%20Dol%20Yatra%20festival.%20During%20the%20festival%20the%20idol%20of%20Dologobinda%20is%20placed%20on%20the%20swing.%20The%20Snana%20Bedi%20is%20a%20rectangular%20stone%20platform%20where%20idols%20of%20Jagannath%2C%20Balabhadra%20and%20Subhadra%20are%20placed%20for%20ceremonial%20bathing%20during%20the%20annual%20Snana%20Yatra%0A%0ADAILY%20FOOD%20OFFERINGS%0ADaily%20offerings%20are%20made%20to%20the%20Lord%20six%20times%20a%20day.%20These%20include%3A%0A%0A-%20The%20offering%20to%20the%20Lord%20in%20the%20morning%20that%20forms%20his%20breakfast%20and%20is%20called%20Gopala%20Vallabha%20Bhoga.%20Breakfast%20consists%20of%20seven%20items%20i.e.%20Khua%2C%20Lahuni%2C%20Sweetened%20coconut%20grating%2C%20Coconut%20water%2C%20and%20popcorn%20sweetened%20with%20sugar%20known%20as%20Khai%2C%20Curd%20and%20Ripe%20bananas.%0A-%20The%20Sakala%20Dhupa%20forms%20his%20next%20offering%20at%20about%2010%20AM.%20This%20generally%20consists%20of%2013%20items%20including%20the%20Enduri%20cake%20%26amp%3B%20Mantha%20puli.%0A-%20Bada%20Sankhudi%20Bhoga%20forms%20the%20next%20repast%20%26amp%3B%20the%20offering%20consists%20of%20Pakhala%20with%20curd%20and%20Kanji%20payas.%20The%20offerings%20are%20made%20in%20the%20Bhog%20Mandapa%2C%20about%20200%20feet%20from%20the%20Ratnabedi.%20This%20is%20called%20Chatra%20Bhog%20and%20was%20introduced%20by%20Adi%20Shankaracharya%20in%20the%208th%20century%20to%20help%20pilgrims%20share%20the%20temple%20food.%0A-%20The%20Madhyanha%20dhupa%20forms%20the%20next%20offering%20at%20the%20noon.%0A-%20The%20next%20offering%20to%20the%20Lord%20is%20made%20in%20the%20evening%20at%20around%208%20PM%20it%20is%20Sandhya%20Dhupa.%0A-%20The%20last%20offering%20to%20the%20Lord%20is%20called%20the%20Bada%20Simhara%20Bhoga.%0A%0AThe%20Mahaprasad%20of%20Lord%20Jagannath%20are%20distributed%20amongst%20the%20devotees%20near%20the%20Ratnavedi%20inside%20the%20frame%20of%20Phokaria%2C%20which%20is%20being%20drawn%20by%20the%20Puja%20pandas%20using%20Muruj%2C%20except%20for%20the%20Gopal%20Ballav%20Bhog%20and%20Bhog%20Mandap%20Bhoga%20which%20are%20distributed%20in%20the%20Anabsar%20Pindi%20%26amp%3B%20Bhoga%20Mandap%20respectively.%0A%0AROSAGHARA%0AThe%20temple%27s%20kitchen%20is%20considered%20as%20the%20largest%20kitchen%20in%20the%20world.%20Tradition%20maintains%20that%20all%20food%20cooked%20in%20the%20temple%20kitchens%20are%20supervised%20by%20the%20Goddess%20Mahalakshmi%2C%20the%20empress%20of%20Srimandir%20herself.%20It%20is%20said%20that%20if%20the%20food%20prepared%20has%20any%20fault%20in%20it%2C%20a%20shadow%20dog%20appears%20near%20the%20temple%20kitchen.%20The%20temple%20cooks%2C%20or%20Mahasuaras%2C%20take%20this%20as%20a%20sign%20of%20displeasure%20of%20Mahalakshmi%20with%20the%20food%2C%20which%20is%2C%20then%2C%20promptly%20buried%20and%20a%20new%20batch%20cooked.%20All%20food%20is%20cooked%20following%20rules%20as%20prescribed%20by%20Hindu%20religious%20texts%2C%20the%20food%20cooked%20is%20pure%20vegetarian%20without%20using%20onions%20and%20garlic.%20Cooking%20is%20done%20only%20in%20earthen%20pots%20with%20water%20drawn%20from%20two%20special%20wells%20near%20the%20kitchen%20called%20Ganga%20and%20Yamuna.%20There%20are%20a%20total%20of%2056%20varieties%20of%20naivedhyas%20offered%20to%20the%20deities%2C%20near%20Ratnabedi%20as%20well%20as%20in%20Bhoga%20Mandap%20on%20five%20particular%20Muhurta.%20The%20most%20awaited%20Prasad%20is%20Kotho%20Bhoga%20or%20Abadha%2C%20offered%20at%20mid-day%20at%20around%201%20pm%2C%20depending%20upon%20temple%20rituals.%20The%20food%20after%20being%20offered%20to%20Jagannath%20is%20distributed%20in%20reasonable%20portions%20as%20Mahaprasad%2C%20which%20is%20considered%20to%20be%20divine%20by%20the%20devotees%20in%20the%20Ananda%20Bazar%20%28an%20open%20market%2C%20located%20to%20the%20North-east%20of%20the%20Singhadwara%20inside%20the%20Temple%20complex%29.%0A%0AFESTIVALS%0AThere%20are%20elaborate%20daily%20worship%20services.%20There%20are%20many%20festivals%20each%20year%20attended%20by%20millions%20of%20people.%20The%20most%20important%20festival%20is%20the%20Rath%20Yatra%20or%20the%20Chariot%20festival%20in%20June.%20This%20spectacular%20festival%20includes%20a%20procession%20of%20three%20huge%20chariots%20bearing%20the%20idols%20of%20Jagannath%2C%20Balabhadra%20and%20Subhadra%20through%20the%20Bada%20Danda%20meaning%20the%20Grand%20Avenue%20of%20Puri%20till%20their%20final%20destination%20the%20Gundicha%20Temple.%20Early%20European%20observers%20told%20tales%20of%20devotees%20being%20crushed%20under%20the%20wheels%20of%20these%20chariots%2C%20whether%20by%20accident%20or%20even%20as%20a%20form%20of%20meritorious%20suicide%20akin%20to%20suttee.%20These%20reports%20gave%20rise%20to%20the%20loan%20word%20juggernaut%20suggesting%20an%20immense%2C%20unstoppable%2C%20threatening%20entity%20or%20process%20operated%20by%20fanatics.%20Many%20festivals%20like%20Dol%20Yatra%20in%20spring%20and%20Jhulan%20Yatra%20in%20monsoon%20are%20celebrated%20by%20temple%20every%20year.Pavitrotsava%20and%20Damanaka%20utsava%20are%20celebrated%20as%20per%20panchanga%20or%20panjika.There%20are%20special%20ceremonies%20in%20the%20month%20of%20Kartika%20and%20Pausha.%0A%0AThe%20annual%20shodasha%20dinatmaka%20or%2016%20day%20puja%20beginning%208%20days%20prior%20to%20Mahalaya%20of%20Ashwin%20month%20for%20goddess%20Vimala%20and%20ending%20on%20Vijayadashami%2C%20is%20of%20great%20importance%2C%20in%20which%20both%20the%20utsava%20murty%20of%20lord%20Madanmohan%20and%20Vimala%20take%20part.%0A%0A-%20Pana%20Sankranti%3A%20Also%20known%20or%20Vishuva%20Sankranti%20and%20Mesha%20Sankranti%3A%20Special%20rituals%20are%20performed%20at%20the%20temple.%0A%0ARATH%20YATRA%20AT%20PURI%0AThe%20Jagannath%20triad%20are%20usually%20worshiped%20in%20the%20sanctum%20of%20the%20temple%20at%20Puri%2C%20but%20once%20during%20the%20month%20of%20Asadha%20%28Rainy%20Season%20of%20Orissa%2C%20usually%20falling%20in%20month%20of%20June%20or%20July%29%2C%20they%20are%20brought%20out%20onto%20the%20Bada%20Danda%20%28main%20street%20of%20Puri%29%20and%20travel%20%283%20km%29%20to%20the%20Shri%20Gundicha%20Temple%2C%20in%20huge%20chariots%20%28ratha%29%2C%20allowing%20the%20public%20to%20have%20dar%u015Bana%20%28Holy%20view%29.%20This%20festival%20is%20known%20as%20Rath%20Yatra%2C%20meaning%20the%20journey%20%28yatra%29%20of%20the%20chariots%20%28ratha%29.%20The%20Rathas%20are%20huge%20wheeled%20wooden%20structures%2C%20which%20are%20built%20anew%20every%20year%20and%20are%20pulled%20by%20the%20devotees.%20The%20chariot%20for%20Jagannath%20is%20approximately%2045%20feet%20high%20and%2035%20feet%20square%20and%20takes%20about%202%20months%20to%20construct.%20The%20artists%20and%20painters%20of%20Puri%20decorate%20the%20cars%20and%20paint%20flower%20petals%20and%20other%20designs%20on%20the%20wheels%2C%20the%20wood-carved%20charioteer%20and%20horses%2C%20and%20the%20inverted%20lotuses%20on%20the%20wall%20behind%20the%20throne.%20The%20huge%20chariots%20of%20Jagannath%20pulled%20during%20Rath%20Yatra%20is%20the%20etymological%20origin%20of%20the%20English%20word%20Juggernaut.%20The%20Ratha-Yatra%20is%20also%20termed%20as%20the%20Shri%20Gundicha%20yatra.%0A%0AThe%20most%20significant%20ritual%20associated%20with%20the%20Ratha-Yatra%20is%20the%20chhera%20pahara.%26quot%3B%20During%20the%20festival%2C%20the%20Gajapati%20King%20wears%20the%20outfit%20of%20a%20sweeper%20and%20sweeps%20all%20around%20the%20deities%20and%20chariots%20in%20the%20Chera%20Pahara%20%28sweeping%20with%20water%29%20ritual.%20The%20Gajapati%20King%20cleanses%20the%20road%20before%20the%20chariots%20with%20a%20gold-handled%20broom%20and%20sprinkles%20sandalwood%20water%20and%20powder%20with%20utmost%20devotion.%20As%20per%20the%20custom%2C%20although%20the%20Gajapati%20King%20has%20been%20considered%20the%20most%20exalted%20person%20in%20the%20Kalingan%20kingdom%2C%20he%20still%20renders%20the%20menial%20service%20to%20Jagannath.%20This%20ritual%20signified%20that%20under%20the%20lordship%20of%20Jagannath%2C%20there%20is%20no%20distinction%20between%20the%20powerful%20sovereign%20Gajapati%20King%20and%20the%20most%20humble%20devotee.%0A%0AChera%20pahara%20is%20held%20on%20two%20days%2C%20on%20the%20first%20day%20of%20the%20Ratha%20Yatra%2C%20when%20the%20deities%20are%20taken%20to%20garden%20house%20at%20Mausi%20Maa%20Temple%20and%20again%20on%20the%20last%20day%20of%20the%20festival%2C%20when%20the%20deities%20are%20ceremoniously%20brought%20back%20to%20the%20Shri%20Mandir.%0A%0AAs%20per%20another%20ritual%2C%20when%20the%20deities%20are%20taken%20out%20from%20the%20Shri%20Mandir%20to%20the%20Chariots%20in%20Pahandi%20vijay.%0A%0AIn%20the%20Ratha%20Yatra%2C%20the%20three%20deities%20are%20taken%20from%20the%20Jagannath%20Temple%20in%20the%20chariots%20to%20the%20Gundicha%20Temple%2C%20where%20they%20stay%20for%20nine%20days.%20Thereafter%2C%20the%20deities%20again%20ride%20the%20chariots%20back%20to%20Shri%20Mandir%20in%20bahuda%20yatra.%20On%20the%20way%20back%2C%20the%20three%20chariots%20halt%20at%20the%20Mausi%20Maa%20Temple%20and%20the%20deities%20are%20offered%20Poda%20Pitha%2C%20a%20kind%20of%20baked%20cake%20which%20are%20generally%20consumed%20by%20the%20Odisha%20people%20only.%0A%0AThe%20observance%20of%20the%20Rath%20Yatra%20of%20Jagannath%20dates%20back%20to%20the%20period%20of%20the%20Puranas.%20Vivid%20descriptions%20of%20this%20festival%20are%20found%20in%20Brahma%20Purana%2C%20Padma%20Purana%2C%20and%20Skanda%20Purana.%20Kapila%20Samhita%20also%20refers%20to%20Rath%20Yatra.%20In%20Moghul%20period%20also%2C%20King%20Ramsingh%20of%20Jaipur%2C%20Rajasthan%20has%20been%20described%20as%20organizing%20the%20Rath%20Yatra%20in%20the%2018th%20Century.%20In%20Orissa%2C%20Kings%20of%20Mayurbhanj%20and%20Parlakhemundi%20were%20organizing%20the%20Rath%20Yatra%2C%20though%20the%20most%20grand%20festival%20in%20terms%20of%20scale%20and%20popularity%20takes%20place%20at%20Puri.%0A%0AMoreover%2C%20Starza%20notes%20that%20the%20ruling%20Ganga%20dynasty%20instituted%20the%20Rath%20Yatra%20at%20the%20completion%20of%20the%20great%20temple%20around%201150%20AD.%20This%20festival%20was%20one%20of%20those%20Hindu%20festivals%20that%20was%20reported%20to%20the%20Western%20world%20very%20early.%20Friar%20Odoric%20of%20Pordenone%20visited%20India%20in%201316-1318%2C%20some%2020%20years%20after%20Marco%20Polo%20had%20dictated%20the%20account%20of%20his%20travels%20while%20in%20a%20Genoese%20prison.%20In%20his%20own%20account%20of%201321%2C%20Odoric%20reported%20how%20the%20people%20put%20the%20%26quot%3Bidols%26quot%3B%20on%20chariots%2C%20and%20the%20King%20and%20Queen%20and%20all%20the%20people%20drew%20them%20from%20the%20%26quot%3Bchurch%26quot%3B%20with%20song%20and%20music.%0A%0ACHANDAN%20YATRA%0AIn%20Akshaya%20Tritiya%20every%20year%20the%20Chandan%20Yatra%20festival%20marks%20the%20commencement%20of%20the%20construction%20of%20the%20Chariots%20of%20the%20Rath%20Yatra.%0A%0ASNANA%20PURNIMA%0AOn%20the%20Purnima%20of%20the%20month%20of%20Jyestha%20the%20Gods%20are%20ceremonially%20bathed%20and%20decorated%20every%20year%20on%20the%20occasion%20of%20Snana%20Yatra.%0A%0AANAVASARA%20OR%20ANASARA%0ALiterally%20means%20vacation.%20Every%20year%2C%20the%20main%20idols%20of%20Jagannath%2C%20Balabhadra%2C%20Subhadra%20%26amp%3B%20Sudarshan%20after%20the%20holy%20Snana%20Yatra%20on%20the%20jyestha%20purnima%2C%20go%20to%20a%20secret%20altar%20named%20Anavasara%20Ghar%20where%20they%20remain%20for%20the%20next%20dark%20fortnight%20%28Krishna%20paksha%29.%20Hence%20devotees%20are%20not%20allowed%20to%20view%20them.%20Instead%20of%20this%20devotees%20go%20to%20nearby%20place%20Brahmagiri%20to%20see%20their%20beloved%20lord%20in%20the%20form%20of%20four%20handed%20form%20Alarnath%20a%20form%20of%20Vishnu.%20Then%20people%20get%20the%20first%20glimpse%20of%20lord%20on%20the%20day%20before%20Rath%20Yatra%2C%20which%20is%20called%20%27Navayouvana.%20It%20is%20said%20that%20the%20gods%20fall%20in%20fever%20after%20taking%20a%20huge%20bath%20and%20they%20are%20treated%20by%20the%20special%20servants%20named%2C%20Daitapatis%20for%2015%20days.%20During%20this%20period%20cooked%20food%20is%20not%20offered%20to%20the%20deities.%0A%0ANAVA%20KALEBARA%0AOne%20of%20the%20most%20grandiloquent%20events%20associated%20with%20the%20Lord%20Jagannath%2C%20Naba%20Kalabera%20takes%20place%20when%20one%20lunar%20month%20of%20Ashadha%20is%20followed%20by%20another%20lunar%20month%20of%20Aashadha.%20This%20can%20take%20place%20in%208%2C%2012%20or%20even%2018%20years.%20Literally%20meaning%20the%20%u201CNew%20Body%u201D%20%28Nava%20%3D%20New%2C%20Kalevar%20%3D%20Body%29%2C%20the%20festival%20is%20witnessed%20by%20as%20millions%20of%20people%20and%20the%20budget%20for%20this%20event%20exceeds%20%24500%2C000.%20The%20event%20involves%20installation%20of%20new%20images%20in%20the%20temple%20and%20burial%20of%20the%20old%20ones%20in%20the%20temple%20premises%20at%20Koili%20Vaikuntha.%20The%20idols%20that%20are%20currently%20being%20worshipped%20in%20the%20temple%20premises%20were%20installed%20in%20the%20year%201996.%20Next%20ceremony%20will%20be%20held%20on%202015.%20More%20than%203%20million%20devotees%20are%20expected%20to%20visit%20the%20temple%20during%20the%20Nabakalevara%20of%202015%20making%20it%20one%20of%20the%20most%20visited%20festivals%20in%20the%20world.%0A%0ANILADRI%20BIJE%0ACelebrated%20on%20Asadha%20Trayodashi.%20Niladri%20Bije%20is%20the%20concluding%20day%20of%20Ratha%20yatra.%20On%20this%20day%20deities%20return%20to%20the%20ratna%20bedi.%20Lord%20Jagannath%20offers%20Rasgulla%20to%20goddess%20Laxmi%20to%20enter%20in%20to%20the%20temple.%0A%0AGUPTA%20GUNDICHA%0ACelebrated%20for%2016%20days%20from%20Ashwina%20Krushna%20dwitiya%20to%20Vijayadashami.%20As%20per%20tradition%2C%20the%20idol%20of%20Madhaba%2C%20along%20with%20the%20idol%20of%20Goddess%20Durga%20%28known%20as%20Durgamadhaba%29%2C%20is%20taken%20on%20a%20tour%20of%20the%20temple%20premises.%20The%20tour%20within%20the%20temple%20is%20observed%20for%20the%20first%20eight%20days.%20For%20the%20next%20eight%20days%2C%20the%20idols%20are%20taken%20outside%20the%20temple%20on%20a%20palanquin%20to%20the%20nearby%20Narayani%20temple%20situated%20in%20the%20Dolamandapa%20lane.%20After%20their%20worship%2C%20they%20are%20brought%20back%20to%20the%20temple.%0A%0ATHE%20NAME%20PURUSHOTTAMA%20KSHETRA%20AND%20ITS%20SIGNIFICANCE%0ALord%20Jagannath%20is%20the%20Purushottama%20as%20per%20the%20scripture%2C%20Skanda%20Purana.%20In%20order%20to%20teach%20human%20beings%20how%20to%20lead%20a%20life%20full%20of%20virtue%2C%20he%20has%20taken%20the%20form%20of%20Saguna%20Brahman%20or%20Darubrahman.%20He%20is%20the%20best%20brother%20to%20his%20siblings%2C%20Lord%20Balabhadra%20and%20Devi%20Subhadra.%20He%20is%20the%20best%20husband%20to%20goddess%20Shri.%20The%20most%20noteworthy%20aspect%20is%20still%20in%20the%20month%20of%20Margashirsha%2C%20on%20three%20consecutive%20days%20during%20amavasya%20he%20does%20Shraddha%20to%20his%20parents%20%28Kashyapa-Aditi%2C%20Dasharatha-Kaushalya%2C%20Vasudeva-Devaki%2C%20Nanda-Yashoda%29%2C%20along%20with%20the%20king%20Indradyumna%20and%20queen%20Gundicha.%20As%20a%20master%20he%20enjoys%20every%20comfort%20daily%20and%20in%20various%20festivals.%20He%20grants%20all%20wishes%20to%20his%20subjects%2C%20and%20those%20who%20surrender%20before%20him%20he%20takes%20the%20utmost%20care%20of.%0A%0ACULTURE%20AND%20TRADITION%20OF%20PURI%0APuri%20is%20one%20of%20the%20fascinating%20littoral%20districts%20of%20Orissa.%20The%20Cultural%20heritage%20of%20Puri%20with%20its%20long%20recorded%20history%20has%20its%20beginnings%20in%20the%20third%20century%20B.C.%20The%20monuments%2C%20religious%20sanctity%2C%20and%20way%20of%20life%20of%20the%20people%20with%20their%20rich%20tradition%20is%20the%20cultural%20heart%20of%20Orissa.%20Indeed%2C%20Puri%20is%20considered%20the%20cultural%20capital%20of%20Orissa.%20The%20culture%20here%20flourished%20with%20its%20manifold%20activities.%0A%0AThe%20District%20has%20the%20happy%20conglomerate%20of%20different%20religions%2C%20sects%20and%20faith.%20In%20the%20course%20of%20history%2C%20Hindu%2C%20Buddhist%2C%20Jaina%2C%20Muslim%2C%20Christian%2C%20and%20Sikh%20are%20found%20here%20in%20the%20District.%0A%0AChaitanya%20Mahaprabhu%2C%20an%20incarnation%20of%20Lord%20Krishna%2C%20appeared%20500%20years%20ago%2C%20in%20the%20mood%20of%20a%20devotee%20to%20taste%20the%20sublime%20emotions%20of%20ecstasy%20by%20chanting%20the%20holy%20name%20of%20Krishna.%20Stalwart%20scholars%20of%20Puri%20like%20Sarvabhauma%20Bhattacharya%20%28a%20priest%20%26amp%3B%20great%20Sanskrit%20pandit%29%20and%20others%20followed%20His%20teachings.%20Even%20kings%20and%20ministers%20of%20His%20period%20became%20His%20disciples.%20Especially%20King%20Prataparudra%20became%20His%20great%20admirer%20and%20ardent%20follower.%20Thus%20all%20cultures%20and%20religion%20became%20one%20in%20Puri%20after%20his%20teachings%20were%20given%20to%20all%20with%20no%20consideration%20of%20caste%20and%20creed.%0A%0AMANAGEMENT%0AAfter%20independence%2C%20the%20State%20Government%2C%20with%20a%20view%20to%20getting%20better%20administrative%20system%2C%20passed%20%26quot%3B%20The%20Puri%20Shri%20Jagannath%20Temple%20%28Administration%29%20Act%2C%201952.%20It%20contained%20provisions%20to%20prepare%20the%20Record%20of%20Rights%20and%20duties%20of%20Sevayats%20and%20such%20other%20persons%20connected%20with%20the%20system%20of%20worship%20and%20management%20of%20the%20temple.%20Subsequently%20Shri%20Jagannath%20Temple%20Act%2C%201955%20%26quot%3B%20was%20enacted%20to%20reorganize%20the%20management%20system%20of%20the%20affair%20of%20the%20temple%20and%20its%20properties.%0A%0ASECURITY%0AThe%20security%20at%20the%2012th%20century%20Jagannath%20Temple%20is%20increased%20ahead%20of%20Ratha%20Yatra%2C%20the%20homecoming%20festival%20of%20the%20deities%20of%20Jagannath%20temple.%20In%20the%20wake%20of%20terror%20alert%20on%2027%20June%202012%2C%20the%20security%20forces%20were%20increased%20to%20ensure%20smooth%20functioning%20of%20the%20crowded%20Ratha%20Yatra%20and%20Suna%20Besha.%0A%0AWIKIPEDIA
source https://www.flickr.com/photo.gne?id=51088545191
0 nhận xét:
Đăng nhận xét