Puri Jagannath Temple Origins & Secrets

Welcome to Chronicle Capsule, Did you know the divine mysteries and intriguing secrets of Lord Jagannath, Nestled in the heart of Puri, the Jagannath Temple is a realm of enigma and awe. Lord Jagannath, often seen as the embodiment of Param Bramha, is worshipped as the ultimate cosmic power. But why does He have such an unusual form?

1. Truncated idol: the reasons why?

According to an legend, Tulasidas, the revered poet, was once disheartened by Jagannath’s truncated idol. Seeking his beloved Raghunath, he stumbled upon a deeper revelation. A young boy reminded him of his own verse describing Raghunath’s transcendent nature: " moving without feet, seeing without eyes, hearing without ears. This realization turned Tulsidas’s disappointment into divine enlightenment. Jagannath’s form, without having hands, feet, and ears, symbolizes this profound transcendence.

2.Blue turns to black

So why does Lord Jagannath have such a distinctive appearance? The answer lies in the temple's history. Originally, a blue sapphire idol of Vishnu, Neela Madhab, was worshipped here. This temple was attacked many times during the Mughal rule, as also later on, by Kalapahar, the 16th century marauder and the idol was badly damaged many times. So, the king of Puri decided to create a new, easily replicable idol. The new statue is an example of tribal art possibly borrowed from nearby villages. This art form has a strong Buddhist influence, as the time of the king’s decision was possibly around the 16th century.

The temple was originally built in the 12th century, much after Ashoka’s Kalinga conquest. Jagannath, Balbhadra and Subhadra are daru idols, or, made from Neem wood. The possible reason why neem was used could be its resistance to all kinds of decay. The idols are religiously embalmed with sandal paste. The medicinal properties of sandal fortifies the idols against any fungal growth and also makes for a soothing aroma around the garbagriha.

3.The farmer and The king

Jagannath represents the common farmer, Balabhadra the royal king, and Subhadra the hardworking woman. Their forms and offerings reflect this harmony — from coarse brown rice for Jagannath to fine rice for Balabhadra, and spicy food for Subhadra.

4.Lord changes his Body

In the sacred city of Puri, a fascinating ritual takes place every 19 years known as Naba Kalebar. During Naba Kalebar, the divine essence, or ParaBramha, hidden inside the old idol, is transferred to a new wooden form. But here’s the twist—there’s a superstition that the person performing this sacred ritual will pass away within a year, merging with the Lord. What exactly is this "soul" transferred in darkness? Some say it’s the heart of krishna and also some say it is remains of Buddha, a belief held by some long-time locals of Puri. The old idols are then buried at a sacred spot called Koili Baikuntha. The mud from this burial site is considered divine and is believed to offer spiritual help to devotees in times of need.

5.The non-vegetarian link

But there’s more! In the southwest corner of the temple complex lies Ma Bimala’s shrine. This Shakta deity’s non-vegetarian offerings create a fascinating contrast with Jagannath’s strict vegetarianism. During Durga Puja, Ma Bimala receives non-veg offerings, embodying a dynamic force of nature. Jagannath’s prasad becomes mahaprasad only when offered to her, symbolizing the intricate dance between Vaishnavism and Shaktism.

6.Climb of faith

Witness the daily ritual of the Bana, changing the temple flag daily, irrespective of the weather conditions in Puri. This is done by a particular clan of people who are doing it for generations. The person climbs atop the temple without a harness or safety measures, this act of faith showcases a bond of trust between the deity and the devotee, highlighting the depth of devotion involved.

7.Ready to be touched

No tale of Jagannath is complete without Rathayatra! This grand festival transforms the streets of Puri into a vibrant celebration. Lord Jagannath, along with His siblings, rides majestic chariots to visit His “Mausima” at the Gundicha Temple. The journey, often marked by a refreshing drizzle, evokes the deity’s nostalgia for His childhood. The chariots are pulled by thousands of devotees, offering a rare chance to touch the divine during this period. After eight days at Gundicha, the Lord returns in what’s known as Bahuda Yatra, only to face His consort Lakshmi’s wrath for leaving her behind. But all is forgiven after a golden transformation, with the deities adorned in resplendent gold. Balabhadra is given a golden plough, Jagannath given hands and legs, Subhadra looks divine in her gold ornaments. The sight attracts millions of devotees. This opulent display reminds us of the divine grandeur hidden beneath their humble forms. The mystique of Lord Jagannath continues to captivate hearts and minds. From His enigmatic form to the vibrant Rathayatra, every aspect of His worship is a testament to the deep spiritual traditions of India.

may the divine light guide your path. Namaste!