LORD JAGANNATH

[ SHRI SHRI JAGANNATH LORD OF THE UNIVERSE ]

The cult of Jagannath is meant of universal brotherhood, love, tolerance, equality and fraternity. It is the lifeline of odishan culture. Shri Jagannath or the lord of the universe is the supreme solace and saviour of countless devotees around the world. Since time immemorial, his monumental and magnificent Shrine at shri purusottam Khetra (Puri) is amongst the four major Dhamas of india and has been regarded as a most sacred destination for pilgrimage symbolising and uploading one of the greatest spiritual and cultural heritage of the world.

Nilachal is the abode of lord Jagannath. Out of the four famous holy lands (Drama) of India, the other three are meant for particular sects. Badrika dhama in uttarakhand is famous for the worship of Bishnu. Dwarika Dhama in Gujarat in meant for the devotees of krishna, Rameswaram in tamilnadu is the holy place of Shiva worshipers. But Nilachala Dhama odisha is the communication point of all sects where Jagannath symbolises beauty of divinity and portrays a symbol of unity in diversity.

The Legend of Lord Jagannath

▶️ SANKHA KSHETRA

   

In Skanda Purana (Utkala kanda)  it is mentioned that this most beautiful Sri Khetra is spread over 10 yojanas ( 128 km or 80 miles) and sorrounded by sands. Within this area of 10 yojanas, Puri is known as sankha Khetra because it's shape resembles a conch shell. This Puri kshetra coveres an area of 5 kosa, 3 of which are immersed under the ocean, and on land is covered with golden sands and decorated with a blue mountain. The lord himself in his arca-vigraha from is residing here on the bank of the ocean atop the blue mountain. Sankha Khetra spread from east to west. 

Puri Dham is known by different names : purusottam Khetra, Sri Khetra, Nilachala Dhama, Jagannath Dhama, Yamanika tirtha, Martya vaikuntha, Nilagiri, Sankha Khetra, Dasa- avatars-khetra and Narasimha Khetra.

▶️ SHRI MANDIR( The temple of lord Jagannath)

The existent Shri Jagannath temple is the creation of 12th century A.D. It was built by the king Ananta Barman Chodaganga Dev and was finished by the grandson Ananga Bhima Dev. The exact geographical location of the holy Temple of Jagannath is latitudinal 19°482 173 N and longitudinal 85°492 63 E. The temple of lord Jagannath is the highest of all the existing temple of odisha. With a hight of  214 ft.8 inches high from the ground level and 181 feet from the inner base, the temple is situated on a perfect pancharatha plan.

There are four major temples in row, named 'viman' (The main temple where Lord Jagannath is worshipped with brother Balabhadra, sister Subhadra and Sudershan), Jagmohan (Audience hall), Nata mandap (offering hall). The height of Jagmohan is 120 feet and the base area of Nata mandap is 80 feet × 80 feet and the base area of Bhogo mandap is 58 feet × 56 feet.

▶️ BADA DANDA

 

Grand Avenue is a wide road linking the magnificent temple of Jagannath on the south of gundicha temple on the north, the later the birthplace of the lord. Bada Danda wears a festive look throughout the year and is typical ancient grand indian bazaar.

▶️ ARUNA STAMBHA

The Aruna stambha, a striking mountain of marked elegance, stands infront of the main gate (lion gate and Simha dwara) of shree Jagannath temple. So the pillar is named so after the name of Aruna, the charioteer of the sun god.

▶️ SINGHA DWARA

The Singha Dwara, which in sanskrit means the lion gate, is one of the four gates to the temple and formed the main entrance. The gate faces east, opening on to the Bada Danda or the grand road. From the holy singhadwar Baisi pahacha or the flight of  twenty two steps leads in to the temple complex. An idol of lord Jagannath known as patita pavana, which in sanskrit means the " Saviour of the downtrodden and the fallen" is painted on the right side of entrance.

▶️ BAISI PAHACHA

The Baisi pahacha or the flight of twenty two steps inside the complex of shree Jagannath  temple considered not only an important part of the temple but also played a significant role in the life of the devotees. From the Singha Dwara the Baisi pahacha leads in to the temple complex in an ascending order. After passing through the Singha Dwara one has to go up these steps in order to get in to the main temple.

▶️ NEELA CHAKRA

The metal wheel at the top of temple is known as Neela chakra. The wheel is made from an alloy of eight metals comprising of iron, copper, zinc, mercury, lead, brass, silver and gold. It's circumference is about 36 feet and it is so designed that there is a wheel within the wheel.

▶️ ANAND BAZAR

Anand Bazar is situated in the north eastern corner of the outer courtyard. Mahaprasad or avada offered to the lord in the temple are bought here. The sumptuous veracity and huge quantity of food offered are unique among any temple in the world. As saying goes, 56 types of food items are offered to the deities of the shree Mandir. road Jagannath  is also addressed as 56 bhogi.

▶️ MAHAPRASAD

Mahaprasad is treated as Anna Brahma. Throughout the year fifty six verities of dishes are prepared and offered to the deities of lord Jagannath temple on the daily basis. It includes delicacies of rice, dal and other selected vegetables. The food is cooked in accordance with prescribed procedure and is offered to first lord Jagannath and then maa Bimala after its become mahaprasad.