Sri Jagannath - The Lord of the Universe - Speck View
 |
| Jagannath Temple Puri | Lord of the Universe | Speckview.com | |
Puri in Odisha is an important place of Hindu civilization in the Indian Peninsula since ages. It is the home and abode of Lord Jagannath. The place has its own appeal with the bracing climate, the blue sea and the most admirable natural beach of the World. In ancient scriptures, Puri and Jagannath have been identified as one and Puri has been conceived as the body of the Lord. It is a holy place of pilgrimage and described in the Puranas as the “Paradise on Earth”. Above all, it is one among the four Dhams of India.
The Origin of Lord Jagannath is full of mystery. Puranic sources reveal that originally Jagannath was worshipped by native sabers as Nila Madhab. In due course of history, Jagannath got himself identified with the historic destiny of the land and people of Odisha known as the Land of Lord Jagannath. Originally, only one sacred log was worshipped as the supreme deity. Later four deities appeared. They are Balabhadra, Subhadra, Jagannath and Sudarsan. These four deities are four-fold figures called Chatrudha Murti.
The rulers of Odisha very often had dedicated their sovereignty to the Lord and assumed the role of a sevak. In due course of history, time without number, attempt were made by foreign aggressors to dislodge Lord Jagannath and plunder the valuables. But each time, the Lord has been successfully protected by the Ruling Kings and his devotees and such attempts were foiled.
Temple of Lord Jagannath
The construction of the present temple of Lord Jagannath is credited to the king Chodganga Dev of Ganga dynasty. The temple is built in Pancha ratha style of Orissan temple architecture and stands on an elevated ground about twenty feet above the level of the surrounding area. The height of the main temple is 214.8 above the road level. The temple has four distinct parts, such as Viman or the great temple, Jagamohan or the hall of Audience, Nata-mandap or the dancing hall and Bhog Mandap or the refractory.
The image of Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and emblem of Sudarshan are installed in the inner sanctuary of the temple on a raised platform called “Ratna Vedi”. The temple has four gates in four directions and the front eastern gate is called Singha Dwara. That apart, there are different sixty small temples around the main temple with different Gods and Goddesses which includes Asta Sambhu and Asta Chandi. The Holy trinty is guarded by such eight Siva Shrines and eight mother Goddesses.
Festivals:-
Puri is called the city of festivity. Twenty four high festivals related mostly with the life of Ram and Krishna are observed round the year in the temple. Bathing festival and Car festival are two greatest festivals among them where the Daru Brahma is made to participate. Other festivals are presided by His protégé.
Vesha (The Ceremonial Costumes):-
It is said that there are 36 Veshas of the deities out of which 18 are of considerable importance which draw a vast multitude of visitors every year to the shrine of Lord Jagannath at Puri. Every day before retining to bed the deities are adorned with massive flowers in Badasinghar Vesha. Apart from that, the three deities are adorned with specific ceremonial costumes on various occasion.
Among such veshas are :
Suna Vesha – The 11th day of the bright fortnight of Asadha.
Banabhojee Vesha – The 10th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadraba.
Kaliya Dalana Vesha – The 11th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadraba.
Pralambasura Baddha Vesha – The 12th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadraba.
Krushna Balaram Vesha – The 13th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadraba.
Bali Varmana Vesha – The 12th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadraba.
Raja Vesha – The 10th day of the bright fortnight of Aswina, the full moon of Pausa and full moon of Phalguna.
Radha Damodar Vesha – The 10th day of the bright fortnight of Aswina, the full moon of Pausa and the full moon of Phalguna.
Thia khia Vesha – The 11th day of bright fortnight of Kartika.
Bankachuda Vesha – The 12th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika.
Nagarjuna Vesha – During Panchuka in the month of Kartika.
Adakia Vesha- The 13th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika.
Dalkia Vesha - The 14th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika.
Raja Rajeswari Vesha – The full moon of Kartika.
Padma Vesha- The 2nd day of the bright fortnight of Magha.
Sradha Vesha –From the 1st to 3rd day of the dark fortnight of Magha.
Gaja Uddharana Vesha – The full moon of Magha.
Chacheri Vesha –From the 9th day of the bright fortnight to the full moon of Phalguna.
Chandana Lagi Vesha – From the 19th day of dark fortnight to the full moon of Jyestha.
Gajanan Vesha – Devasnana Purnima.
 |
| Jagannath Temple Puri | Lord of the Universe | Speckview.com |
Moha Prasad (The Sacred Food):-
It is believed that the divine food for the lord is prepared under the direct supervision of Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth and grace. Once it is offered to the Lord, it is conceived as the Brahma itself. It admits no barrier of caste, creed or religion and overreaches all.
Eighty-five types of delicacies are daily offered to the Lord and are available for consumption of pilgrims. The Bhog is offered five times a day to the deities. Normally 72 quintals of rice is cooked every day. In addition to that varieties of cakes of wheat and cereals, dals and curries, sweet and milk products are prepared and offered to the Lords. Wonder among wonders, the MahaPrasad has satisfied the ancient and modern taste alike.
Navakalevara :-
The four deities, Balabhadra, Subhadra, Jagannath and Sudarshan change their body when there is double ASADHA in one year which normally occurs within the interval of 8, 11 or 19 years. During Navakalevara ceremony Daru or the trees are searched by the Lord’s attendants with the blessing of goddess Mangala at Kakatpur. According to sastras the margosa trees must have four branches undamaged by insect and birds. At the foot of the tree serpent would be seen guarding the trees. There must be a cremation ground and a river in the vicinity.
When all such conditions are strictly fulfilled the holy fire is raised and offering are made through Vana Yagna ceremony. The sacred trees are reduced to log form and carried to the temple by wooden carts specially made for the purpose by the own kith and kin of the Lord called Daitas.
In the depth of a dark midnight, the most important rite of Brahma transfer takes place with utmost secrecy from the naval zone of the old images to the new images. When the Brahma transfer is over, the old images get a burial. Now the new images of the resplendent deities appear again on the eve of the car festival.
The Blue mountain, the great temple on it, and the Patitapaban flag at the top flapping majestically with the rhythm of the breaking waves of the blue sea nearby is the symbol of Divine Grace – spreading mercy of Lord Jagannath to one and all. It generates bliss in mind and body. It sings the eternal song of solace removing the pain and pugs of sin, agony, and suffering.
Lord of the Universe, Jagannath is very dearly ours, of our hearts and consciousness. He is the liberator and deliverer of our lives. We all are dedicated at his lotus feet. Jay Jagannath.
No comments: