The jagannath temple is a Hindu temple in the city of Puri in India. It is one of the most renowned and visited temples in the country. There are many facets of this building that can be appreciated and enjoyed, including its architecture, tradition, and symbolism.
Symbolism
The Jagannath temple in Puri, Orissa, India is a sacred site. This temple is built to honor Lord Jagannath, the eldest brother of Lord Krishna. It was constructed in the third century BC. As of today, it remains an active temple.
Puri is located on the eastern coast of Orissa. A number of kings have visited the city to worship the deities. They have adorned the gods with jewelry and other items.
The Jagannath Temple is a combination of Hindu and tribal culture. This temple is one of the most important in India. It is also one of the four most important holy places in the country.
The great temple of Lord Jagannath in Puri is still standing. It has attracted several kings and conquerors. Since then, the temple has become a place of worship for devotees from all over the world.
There are numerous legends and myths about the temple and the deities within it. However, the most prominent symbol of the temple is the Neela Chakra, or the Blue Wheel.
According to the Skanda Purana, the king obtained images of the gods from a tree. These are depicted in the form of lions. The lions represent MOKSHYA and Isanesvara.
Another iconic symbol of the Jagannath temple is the Nila Chakra, a blue discus mounted on the top shikhar of the temple. This is the equivalent of the image of the deities inside the sanctum sanctorum.
The Neela Chakra is composed of eight metals. Each color represents different races of humankind.
During Rath Yatra, the Puri king takes care of the chariots, as well as the personal effects of the gods. After the ceremony, they take a weeklong break at the Garden House.
Architecture
The Jagannath temple is one of the most important and sacred Hindu sites in India. It is one of the four holiest shrines of Hinduism. Lord Jagannath, the incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, is worshipped here. He is also worshiped as Krishna, Shiva, Balaram, Shesha and Vishnu.
The temple complex includes several square blocks and dozens of structures. The main temple structure is 214 feet tall. It was constructed in the Nagara Sthaptya architectural style.
There are four gateways in the temple precinct. Each gate is carved with a carved stone image. Simhadwar is the main entrance from the Bada Danda, and two stone lions guard the gate.
The entrance is surrounded by a high wall. An image of Patitapavana is painted on the right side of the entrance.
The temple precinct is surrounded by two walls. One is the outer wall and the other is the inner wall. Both the walls are made of granite.
Inside the temple, there are four gates, each with a carved stone image. There are life-size sculptures in the corner spaces between the khakaramundi shrines. These figures depict 24 different forms of Vishnu.
The temple precinct covers ten acres and is encircled by two walls. The inner wall is called Kurma Bheda. This wall is 126 metres long by 95 metres wide.
The temple complex also includes the Mahalaxmi Temple. This temple is considered to be the most sacred in the temple complex. A temple cook is employed here to prepare food for the deities.
Other structures include the temple kitchen, which is said to be the largest in the world. Also, there are thirty-six traditional communities which have their own hereditary service to the deities.
Sacred pillars
The Sacred Pillars of Jagannath Temple are located in the precincts of the temple. They stand on a platform that rises to a height of 65 meters. During the Rath Yatra, people are permitted to view the images of the deities. These images are made of sacred neem logs.
The pillars are part of the Aruna Stambha. This beautiful piece of art was brought to Puri from Konark Sun Temple. It is carved out of chlorite stone. It has an eleven-metre high image of the Sun God Surya.
Another sacred pillar at the Jagannath temple is the Ratnavedi. It is also referred to as the throne of jewels. Deities are placed on this soaring pedestal.
The main entrance to the temple is through the Simhadwar. Two stone lions guard the entrance. Inside the temple, there are two other gates. Each gate is decorated with carvings. One gate is for non-Hindus.
There are several smaller shrines around the precincts of the Jagannath temple. The roofs of the temple rise toward a tall tower that looks like a mountain ridge. The temple has an open market called Ananda Bajara where food is sold to devotees.
When the Aruna Stambha was built, it was placed before the inner sanctum. In the 18th century, the column was moved to the temple in Puri. It was shifted due to a secret Navakalevara ceremony.
Other important pillars of the temple include the Nila Chakra, the Garuda Stambha and the Patit Pavana. They were all repaired by the Archaeological Survey of India.
The Nila Chakra is a discus mounted on the top shikhar of the Jagannath temple. The discus is known as the blue discus.
Flag at the top of the main spire
In the Jagannath Temple of Puri, a huge flag flies at the top of the shikhara. It is the Patita Pavana Bana. This flag is only associated with Jagannath.
Located near the Sabarmati River, the Jagannath temple is considered one of the most sacred sites in India. Lord Jagannath is believed to be an incarnation of Vishnu. Unlike most Hindu temples, the construction of the Jagannath Temple is done in a unique way. Instead of building a traditional rectangular structure, the temple is shaped in a way that prevents wind currents from affecting the structure.
There are four main structures in the temple. They are: sanctum sanctorum (Vimana), Bhoga Mandapa, Nata Mandapa, and the Ratnavedi.
The sanctum sanctorum is the main area of the temple and is a place where the deities are worshipped. It is surrounded by a number of smaller shrines. These shrines are called devasthanas.
The Nila Chakra is the most famous iconic symbol of the temple. It is the tallest tower in the Puri Jagannath Temple Complex. Symbolically, the Nila Chakra is said to protect the main deities.
Devotees can also view bhog ceremonies from the Jagamohan hall. However, cameras are not allowed inside the temple.
The sanctum sanctorum has a ratha, which is a hollow structure that is approximately 45 feet in diameter. It is built out of eight different metals, and is considered as a representation of Lord Vishnu.
The ratha takes two months to build. After its completion, the idols are installed. At regular intervals, the idols are replaced with new ones. The temple was renovated in the 2000s.
The Bada Danda, a grand avenue, is the location of the temple. On this avenue, various festivals are held.
Traditions
The traditions of Jagannath temple are mysterious. It is known to be a fusion of tribal culture and Indic Brahmanical religions.
According to legend, Lord Jagannath was initially worshipped as a local deity. He was later identified with Vishnu. Anantavarman built a temple for the deity at Puri in the 12th century.
Ratha Yatra is the most significant festival of Lord Jagannath. It is celebrated in June or July every year. During this festival, three idols are pulled by devotees. This is done without considering the caste, gender or country.
Nabakalebara is a major festival of Lord Jagannath in Odisha. On this occasion, new idols are installed in the temple. Old idols are buried in a nearby place. This ritual is similar to post-death rituals in Hindus.
Several regional cultures have developed around religious traditions. For instance, the Sabar tribe considers Puri Jagannath to be the manifestation of Narayan. Similarly, the Jains believe that the deity is the form of Nath.
Historically, the Odias are a naturally filial people, and have worshipped all kinds of deities. Therefore, it is not surprising that Lord Jagannath’s temple in Puri has a complex history.
As the king of Orissa, Anang Bhim Deo constructed several ancillary shrines for the deity. In addition, he established an order of priests to oversee the temple and the public.
After Anang Bhim Deo’s death, his son Anangabhima III was declared a ‘deputy’ of the god. During his reign, he dedicated his entire kingdom to the god.
The ancient tradition of making wooden deities continues to this day in the local tribes. Archaeologists have found some ancient idols in the region. A curved tower called’sikhar’ is also found at Garbhagruha temple.
