Jagannath is venerated as Bhairava or Lord Shiva, the consort of Goddess Vimala, by Shaivites and Shakta sects. The priests of Jagannath Temple at Puri belong to the Shakta sect, although the Vaishnava sect’s influence predominates.
To perform Jagannath Puja at home you should start by decorating the idol with flowers after covering it with sandalwood paste.Then make offerings to the Lord including pushpanjali, a light incenses for fragrance, and finally lighting a diya.
Non-Hindus are not allowed into the temple, which had attracted controversy over its refusal to allow entry to Indira Gandhi at the height of her powers. Though Gandhi was a Hindu, the temple management did not allow her entry as she was married to a non-Hindu. Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs are, however, allowed.
Firoz Shah TujhlaqFiroz Shah Tujhlaq had become orthodox and bigoted towards the later part of his reign. He destroyed the Puri Jagannath temple while on an expedition to Jajnagar in 1360. Jwalamukhi temple of Kangra was destroyed during the expedition to Nagarkot.
Did you know that the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are replaced with new ones every few years? The ongoing Jagannath Rath Yatra is preceded by Nabakalebara, a ritual that holds a significant place in the existence of Jagannath Temple in Odisha.
Unlike the figures and images of Lord Vishnu or Krishna, the Jagannath Puri idol has big eyes and a square-shaped head with an extended body without neck, ears, and limbs. Track Spiritual monthly Calendar for all Festivals, Vrats and Muhurat on Times Now
Nabakalebar is about the transformation of the Puri temple and Odisha lords into a new body. The new wooden idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshan are welcomed to the temple in celebration. The old idols are ritually buried in Koili Baikuntha in accordance with century-old Odia scriptures.
Ananta Varman Chodaganga DevaShree Jagannath Puri Temple is one of the most impressing monuments of the Indian State Odisha, was constructed by a famous king of Ganga Dynasty Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva dating back to 12th century at the seashore Puri.
Goddess Mausima who is also known as Ardhasini is Lord Jaganath’s aunt, mother’s sister. It is believed that this Goddess saved Puri when the floods hit the city by drinking half the sea water. She, along with Kapalamochana Shiva, is believed to watch over Puri day and night.
A legend links the temple to Gundicha, the queen of Indradyumna (the legendary builder of the main temple) – after whom the Gundicha Temple is named. Gundicha had a peep at the divine image of Jagannath being created by the celestial architect Vishwakarma.
