Continued ......
Jagannath Puri
Invasions and Desecrations of the Temple
The temple annals, the Madala Panjirecords that the Jagannath temple at Puri has been invaded and plundered eighteen times.[16] The invasion by Raktabahu has been considered the first invasion on the temple by the Madalapanji
Ranjit Singh's will
Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh, had donated massive amounts of gold to theJagannath temple. In his last will, he also ordered that Koh-i-noor, the most precious and greatest diamond in the world, to be donated to this temple, but the diamond could never actually make its way to the temple because the British, by that time, had annexed the Punjab and all its royal possessions. Thus, claiming that the Koh-i-noor was theirs. It is currently a part of British crown jewels and is located in the Tower of London.
Entry and Darshan
Temple has 4 entrances in all directions.Temple security is selective regarding who is allowed entry. Practicing Hindus of non-Indian descent are excluded from premises,[17] as are Hindus of non-Indian origin. Visitors not allowed entry may view the precincts from the roof of the nearby Raghunandan Library and pay their respects to the image of God Jagannath known as Patitapavana at the main entrance to the temple.[18] There is some evidence that this came into force following a series of invasions by foreigners into the temple and surrounding area. Buddhist, and Jaingroups are allowed into the temple compound if they are able to prove their Indian ancestry.[19] The temple has slowly started allowing Hindus of non-Indian origin into the area, after an incident in which 3 Balinese Hindus were denied entry, even though Bali is 90% Hindu.[20]
The temple remains open from 5 am to 12 midnight. Unlike many other temples devotees can go behind the idols(go round the idols).All devotees are allowed to go right up to the deities during theSahana Mela without paying any fees . The Sahana mela or the public darshan is usually following the abakasha puja between around 7 to 8 am in the morning.[21] Special darshan orParimanik darshan is when devotees on paying 50 Rupees are allowed right up to the deities. Parimanik darshan happens after the dhupa pujas at around 10 am, 1 pm and 8 pm . At all other times devotees can view the deities from some distance for free. The rathyatra occurs every year some time in the month of July. 2 or 6 weeks before Rathyatra (depending upon the year) there is a ritual of Lord undergoing "Bhukaar" (sick) hence the idols are not on "Darshan". Devotees to make a note of this before they plan to visit the lord.
Cultural Integrity
The Jagannath temple at night
Shrikshetra of Puri Jagannath, as is commonly known, can verily be said to be a truthful replica of Indian culture. To understand this culture, one has to have some idea of the history of this land, which again is different from that of other countries of the world.
Starting from Lord Jagannath himself, history has it that he was a tribal deity, adorned by the Sabar people, as a symbol of Narayan. Another legend claims him to be Nilamadhava, an image of Narayana made of blue stone and worshipped by the aboriginals. He was brought to Nilagiri (blue mountain) or Nilachala and installed there as ShriJagannath in company with Balabhadraand Subhadra. The images made of wood are also claimed to have their distant linkage with the aboriginal system of worshipping wooden poles. To cap it all the Daitapatis, who have a fair share of responsibilities to perform rituals of the Temple, are claimed to be descendants of the aboriginals or hill tribes of Orissa. So we may safely claim that the beginning of the cultural history of Shrikshetra is found in the fusion of Hindu and Tribal Cultures. This has been accepted as a facet of our proud heritage. The three deities came to be claimed as the symbols of Samyak Darshan, Samyak Jnana and Samyak Charita usually regarded as Triratha (of the Jain cult), an assimilation of which leads to Moksha (salvation) or the ultimate bliss...
Jagannath is worshipped as Vishnu orNarayana or Krishna and LordBalabhadra as Shesha. Simultaneously, the deities are regarded as the bhairavawith Vimala (the devi or the consort of Shiva) installed in the campus of the temple. So ultimately we find a fusion ofSaivism, Shaktism and Vaishnavism of the Hindu religion with Jainism and up to an extent Buddhism in the culture of Jagannath and the cultural tradition so reverently held together in Shrikshetra.
Acharyas and Jagannatha Puri
The Singhadwara, the main entrance to the temple
All of the renowned acharyas includingMadhvacharya have been known to visit this kshetra. Adi Shankara established his Govardhana matha here. There is also evidence that Guru Nanak, Kabir,Tulsidas, Ramanujacharya, andNimbarkacharya had visited this place. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu of Gaudiya Vaishnavism stayed here for 24 years, establishing that the love of god can be spread by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra. Srimad Vallabhacharya visited Jagannath Puri and performed a 7-day recitation of Srimad Bhagvat. His sitting place is still famous as "baithakji." It confirms his visit to Puri.[22] A famous incident took place when Vallabhachrya visited. There was a discourse being held between the Brahmins and 4 questions were asked. Who is the highest of Gods, What is the highest of mantras, What is the highest scripture and What is the highest service. The discourse went on for many days with many schools of thought. Finally Shri Vallabh said to ask Lord Jagannath to confirm Shri Vallabh's answers. A pen and paper were left in the inner sanctum. After some time, the doors were opened and 4 answers were written. 1) The Son of Devaki (Krishna) is the God of Gods 2) His name is the highest of mantras 3) His song is the highest scripture (Bhagavat Geeta) 4) Service to Him is the Highest service. The king was shocked and declared Shri Vallabh the winner of the discourse. Some of the pandits who participated became jealous of Shri Vallabh and wanted to test Him. The next day was Ekadashi, a fasting day where one must fast from grains. The pandits gave Shri Vallabh rice Prasad of Shri Jagannathji (The temple is famous for this). If Shri Vallabh ate it, He would break His vow of fasting but if He did not take it, He would disrespect Lord Jagannath. Shri Vallabh accepted the prasad in his hand and spent the rest of the day and night explaining slokas of the greatness of Prasad and ate the rice the next morning.
Char Dham
The temple is one of the holiest HinduChar Dham (four divine sites) sites comprising Rameswaram, Badrinath,Puri and Dwarka.[23] Though the origins are not clearly known, the Advaitaschool of Hinduism propagated bySankaracharya, who created Hindu monastic institutions across India, attributes the origin of Char Dham to the seer.[24] The four monasteries lie across the four corners of India and their attendant temples are Badrinath Templeat Badrinath in the North, Jagannath Temple at Puri in the East,Dwarakadheesh Temple at Dwarka in the West and Ramanathaswamy Templeat Rameswaram in the South. Though ideologically the temples are divided between the sects of Hinduism, namelySaivism and Vaishnavism, the Char Dham pilgrimage is an all Hindu affair.[25] There are four abodes in Himalayas called Chota Char Dham (Chota meaning small): Badrinath,Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri - all of these lie at the foot hills of Himalayas[26] The name Chota was added during the mid of 20th century to differentiate the original Char Dhams.[citation needed]The journey across the four cardinal points in India is considered sacred by Hindus who aspire to visit these temples once in their lifetime.[27] Traditionally the trip starts at the eastern end from Puri, proceeding in clockwise direction in a manner typically followed for circumambulation in Hindu temples.[27]
Structure
Ratha Yatra Festival in Puri. Painting by James Fergusson
The huge temple complex covers an area of over 400,000 square feet (37,000 m2), and is surrounded by a high fortified wall. This 20 feet (6.1 m) high wall is known as Meghanada Pacheri.[28]Another wall known as kurma bedha surrounds the main temple.[29] It contains at least 120 temples andshrines. With its sculptural richness and fluidity of the Oriya style of temple architecture, it is one of the most magnificent monuments of India.[30] The temple has four distinct sectional structures, namely -
- Deula, Vimana or Garba griha(Sanctum sanctorum) where the triad deities are lodged on the ratnavedi (Throne of Pearls). In Rekha Deula style;
- Mukhashala (Frontal porch);
- Nata mandir/Natamandapa, which is also known as the Jagamohan (Audience Hall/Dancing Hall), and
- Bhoga Mandapa (Offerings Hall).[31]
The main temple is a curvilinear temple and crowning the top is the 'srichakra' (a eight spoked wheel) of Vishnu. Also known as the "Nilachakra", it is made out of Ashtadhatu and is considered sacrosanct.[32] Among the existing temples in Orissa, the temple of Shri Jagannath is the highest. The temple tower was built on a raised platform of stone and, rising to 214 feet (65 m) above the inner sanctum where the deities reside, dominates the surrounding landscape. The pyramidalroofs of the surrounding temples and adjoining halls, or mandapas, rise in steps toward the tower like a ridge of mountain peaks.[33]
Nila Chakra
The Nila Chakra atop Jagannath Temple
The Nila Chakra (Blue Discus) is the discus mounted on the top shikhar of the Jagannath Temple. As per custom, everyday a different flag is waved on the Nila Chakra. The flag hoisted on the Nila Cakra is called the Patita Pavana(Purifier of the Fallen) and is equivalent to the image of the deities placed in the sanctum sanctorum [2].
The Nila Chakra is a disc with eightNavagunjaras carved on the outer circumference, with all facing towards the flagpost above. It is made of alloy of eight metals (Asta-dhatu) and is 3.5 Metres (11 feet and 8 inches) high with a circumference of about 11 metres (36 feet). [3]. During the year 2010, the Nila Chakra was repaired and restored by the Archaeological Survey of India.
The Nila Chakra is distinct from theSudarshana chakra which has been placed with the deities in the inner sanctorum.
Nila Chakra is the most revered iconic symbol in the Jagannath cult. The Nila Chakra is the only physical object whose markings are used as sacrament and considered sacred in Jagannath worship. It symbolizes protection by Shri Jagannath.
The Singhadwara E
The Bada Danda or the Grand Avenue
The Singhadwara in 1870 showing the Lion sculptures with the Aruna Stambha Pillar in the foreground
The Singahdwara, which in Sanskritmeans The Lion Gate, is one of the four gates to the temple and forms the Main entrance. The Singhadwara is so named because two huge statues of crouching lions exist on either side of the entrance. The gate faces east opening on to theBada Danda or the Grand Road.[34] TheBaisi Pahacha or the flight of twenty two steps leads into the temple complex. An idol of Jagannath known asPatitapavana, which in Sanskrit, means the "Saviour of the downtrodden and the fallen" is painted on the right side of the entrance. In ancient times when untouchables were not allowed inside the temple, they could pray to Patita Pavana. The statues of the two guards to the temple Jaya and Vijaya stand on either side of the doorway.[35] Just before the commencement of the Rath Yatra the idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken out of the temple through this gate. On their return from the Gundicha Temple they have to ceremonially placate GoddessMahalakshmi, whose statue is carved atop the door, for neglecting to take her with them on the Yatra. Only then the Goddess allows them permission to enter the temple. A magnificent sixteen-sided monolithic pillar known as theArun stambha stands in front of the main gate. This pillar has an idol of Arun, the charioteer of the Sun God Surya, on its top. One significant thing about Arun stambha is that prior it was located in the Konark Sun temple,[36][37] later, the Maratha guru Brahmachari Gosain brought this pillar from Konark.[38] The Puri Jagannath Temple was also saved by Maratha emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj from being plundered at his times from the Mughals.
The Bada Danda or the Grand Avenue
The Singhadwara in 1870 showing the Lion sculptures with the Aruna Stambha Pillar in the foreground
Other Entrances
The Ashwadwara Gate
Apart from the Singhadwara, which is the main entrance to the temple, there are three other entrances facing north, south and west. They are named after the sculptures of animals guarding them. The other entrances are theHathidwara or the Elephant Gate, theVyaghradwara or the Tiger Gate and theAshwadwara or the Horse Gate.[39]
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The Ashwadwara Gate
Minor Temples
Cluster of minor temples in the southern part of Jagannath temple complex, including theVimala Temple (extreme right). c. 1890.
There are numerous smaller temples and shrines within the Temple complex where active worship is regularly conducted. The Vimala Temple (Bimala Temple) is considered one of the most important of the Shaktipeeths marks the spot where the goddess Sati's feet fell. It is located near Rohini Kund in the temple complex. Until food offered to Jagannath is offered to Goddess Vimala it is not considered Mahaprasad.
The temple of Mahalakshmi has an important role in rituals of the main temple. It is said that preparation ofnaivedya as offering for Jagannath is supervised by Mahalakshmi. The Kanchi Ganesh Temple is dedicated to Uchhista Ganapati. Tradition says the King ofKanchipuram (Kanchi) in ancient times gifted the idol, when Gajapati Purushottama Deva married Padmavati, the kanchi princess. There are other shrines namely Muktimandap, Surya,Saraswati, Bhuvaneshwari, Narasimha,Rama, Hanuman and Eshaneshwara.
Cluster of minor temples in the southern part of Jagannath temple complex, including theVimala Temple (extreme right). c. 1890.
The Mandapas
The Dola Mandapa in 1890 where the annual Dol Yatra is held
There are many Mandapas or Pillared halls on raised platforms within the temple complex meant for religious congregations. The most prominent is the Mukti Mandapa the congregation hall of the holy seat of selected learned brahmins.[40] Here important decisions regarding conduct of daily worship and festivals are taken. The Dola Mandapa is noteworthy for a beautifully carved stone Torana or arch which is used for constructing a swing for the annual Dol Yatra festival. During the festival the idol of Dologobinda is placed on the swing. The Snana Bedi is a rectangular stone platform where idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are placed for ceremonial bathing during the annualSnana Yatra
it
The Dola Mandapa in 1890 where the annual Dol Yatra is held
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