History, Importance, Interesting & Unknown Facts and Travel Guide of Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha
Sri Jagannath Temple is one of the most revered Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath, incarnation of Supreme Lord Vishnu, located in Puri in the state of Odisha, Inida. This temple is securing place for the pilgrims during their Char Dham Yatra as Puri is one of the Char Dham place Yatra of Sanatan Dharma. The Temple was built by Ganga Dynasty king Anantavaram Chodaganga in the 12th Century and it was further developed by Suryvamshi Dynasty. But it is believed that temple and deity is much older than and associated with the one of the greatest king Indrayumna, son of great Bharat who had first built this majestic temple. In the temple, Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra the trios are worshipped. The deities are adorned with different clothes and jewels everyday according to the season. The images are made up of wood and is replaced every fifteen to twenty years to maintain the fascinating image of deities.
The temple is famous for its Rath Yatra – chariot festival or car festival which is witnessed by millions of devotee across the world as the deities are carried in three chariots for Nagar Darshan. The main temple is constructed in such a way that no shadows falls on the ground during the whole day. The two main walls of the Temple Meghanada Pacheri and Kurma Bheda covers the whole temple. There is also a Nila Chakra which is actually a discus mounted on the top shikhar of the Jagannath Temple. As per the old rituals the flag is changed every day as it is equivalent to the deity placed in the temple.
It is said that heart of Lord Krishna was not burnt at Triveni Sangam of Somnath during funeral and it travelled to Puri from Somnath, east sea to west sea coast which was tied with log. Lord appear in dream of King of Puri and told that large log of wood with markings that include a conch, a chakra, a mace and a lotus - shankha-chakra-gada-padma can be found in sea and installed these in temple. Best sculptors tries to convert large log into four idol but no one get succeed in. After this, one old man said he will carve idols from log but condition is – no one had to disturbed him for 21 days. King had waited for 15 days but he became impatient and opened the door. At a same time old man disappeared and King saw half-finished idols. From that day to till date half carved idols are placed in Jagannath Temple.
The Prasad is given to the every visitors who visit the temple and it’s like a must for each devotee. Every day from thousands to Lakhs of people come for worshipping and they are provided a Prasad. No one ever leaves the temple without the Prasad. The Prasad is cooked in a very traditional way in the seven pots mounted over one another and cooked by using charcoal and wood. The main festival of the temple is Rath Yatra but the other festivals like Snnana Yatra, Chandan Yatra and Anasara are very well celebrated.
Various Mysteries of Jagannath Temple, Puri which challenge Science
Along with the historical and spiritual importance, Jagannath Puri Temple is also very famous for its various mysteries as per below.
Nothing fly over the Jagannath Temple of Puri.
It is the great mystery that not a single bird fly over the temple and even planes are not allow to fly by rule. Which force restrict birds to fly above the temple is the divine of Lord only otherwise no place in the world where birds can be restricted to fly naturally.
The Temple Flag flow direction
The flag atop the temple always flows in the opposite direction of wind. And even in the current era of science and technology, no one can find the reason behind this, which showcase the divine power of Lord which is more powerful than science.
The Heart of Lord Krishna – Brahma Padarth placed in Idols
It is also said that at every 12 years, the idols made of wood are replaced with new ones, as they get damaged by the intense power of light radiation from Krishna’s heart. No one knows what happens to the old idols. No one has physically seen Krishna’s heart from many years. All priests on duty in the shrine are blind-folded and wear gloves when they handle the Brahma Padartha.
Temple without shadow throughout the day
The design and engineering of the temple is such a way that it does not cast any shadow at any given time of the day around the year.
Mystery of Simhadwaram Dwar – Main Entry Gate of Lord Jagannath Temple
Out of four entrance of Jagannath Temple, Singhadwaram Dwar is the main door of entrance to the temple. You can clearly hear the sound of sea waves while entering through Sindhadwaram. After that you will no longer hear the sound of waves in any place. As per the belief it is the divine power of Subhadra Devi.
The Sudarshan Chakra place of Top of Temple
Sudarshan Chakra or Neel Chakra having 20 feet high and around 1000 kg. of weight placed on the temple top is another mystery. How such heavy chakra placed on top around 1000 years ago without advance mechanism. The placement of Sudarshan Chakra in such a way that anyone can see this chakra from any corner of the Puri city and from any position and direction you will feel that chakra is in front of you.
The mystery of Sea at Puri
In any part of the globe, you can observe the wind from sea comes to the land during daytime and wind from the land blows toward sea at evening. But, here in Puri, even wind of sea has decided to act oppositely and challenge the science and showcase the power of supreme lord.
Changing of Temple Flag Every day
Every day a priests scrambles the wall of temple around 45 storey building high to reach temple and change the flag. This ritual has been performed since 1800 years and it is said if this ritual is ever missed for a single day then the temple will remain close for the next 18 years.
The mystery of Prasad prepared in temple campus
Prasad to offer the Lord and then served in devotee is prepared in special way where 7 bit pots are used. Pots are placed on each other and firewood is used for cooking. Miracle here is food on top pot gets cooked first and followed by bottom one. Another mystery is everyday thousands of devotee reach here and take Prasad and number can varied based on day, weekend or festival but quantity of Prasad which cooked remains same throughout the year. Miraculously every day, it is never wasted nor insufficient.
Key Festival celebrated at Jagannath Temple, Puri
World famous Ratha Yatra – Chariot festival isorganized here in Puri on second day sacred month Ashadh in which millions of devotee and tourist across the world reach here to witness the grand celebration. Idols of Lord Jagannath, Baldevji and Subhadra ji are placed in three different chariot and pulled by devotee towards the Gundicha Temple around 3 km far via city road. Chandan Yatra, Snaan Yatra and Anasara are associated festival with Rath yatra. Apart from these, Janmashtami, Diwali etc are celebrated here with great zeal.
How to reach Jagannath Temple, Puri
It is very well connected with the roads. Buses are considered to be the main option to reach here. The availability of the buses from the main cities of Odisha are available. The nearest bus stand to the temple is Puri Bus Stand. You can hire even private taxis or cab to reach here from Bhubaneshwar or any other nearby cities. The nearest Railway Station is Puri Railway Station at a distance of just 3kms. The availability of the flight is in Bhubaneshwar called Biju Patnaik International Airport at a distance of 49kms.
