+91 9566643171
Lord Jagannath, is also popularly known as Mahaprabhu. The word Jagannath is derived from confluence of two Sanskrit words, Jagat meaning “universe” and nātha meaning “Master” or “Lord”. Thus, Jagannath means “lord of the universe”. The trio of deities consisting of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are worshipped at the temple.
Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladev and Maa Subhadra are worshipped on the Ratnavedi along with Sudarshan chakra. The four deities are carved out of dark coloured Neem wood, which is considered auspicious for all castes. This also signifies that Jagannath is beyond space and time and , symbol of universal love and brotherhood. This depicts the uniqueness of Shri Jagannath deity unlike other deities in Hindu temples, which are carved out of stone and precious metals. The deities are adorned with different clothing and jewels according to the season.
The well-known descriptions , as found in the Skanda-Purana, Brahma Purana and other Puranas and later Odia Puranas state that Lord Jagannath was formerly worshipped as Shri Neela Madhaba by a Savar king , the tribal chief , named Viswavasu.
King Indradyumma was ruling over the Malava Country in Satya Yuga , the age of Truth. He was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. After knowing about the Lord, King Indradyumna directed a Brahmin priest, Vidyapati to discover the deity, who was worshipped secretly in a dense forest by Viswavasu. Vidyapati tried his paramount resources to locate the place, but he failed in the beginning . However, at the end, he managed to convince Viswavasu’s daughter Lalita to marry him. Following the marriage , due to repetitive requests of Vidyapti, Viswavasu took his son-in-law blind folded to a cave where Lord Neela Madhaba was worshipped. Vidyapati was intelligent , in order to identify the path, he dropped mustard seeds on the ground , while he was travelling along Vidyapti . The mustard seeds sprouted into plants in a few days, which identified the way to the cave later on. On hearing the good news from him, King Indradyumna proceeded instantly to Odra desha , now known as Odisha , on a pilgrimage to visit the Lord. But on arrival he found the deity was missing. The king felt dejected but was adamant not to return without having a darshan of the Lord . He decided to perform fast unto death at Mount Neela, then a celestial voice cried ‘Thou shalt see him.’
Subsequently, the king performed one thousand Ashwamedha Yajna (sacrifice) and built a magnificent temple for Vishnu. The first Murti of Lord Narasimha was brought by Narada which got installed in the temple. Subsequently, during sleep, the king got an image in his dream of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshan. A cosmological voice also directed him to bring the massive dark coloured, Divine Log of wood floating in the seashore and make idols out of it.
Sage Narada advised to bring the Divine Log of wood to a high altar, presently identified as the Mahavedi. Then Shri Visvakarma, the divine architect emerged in the guise of a wrinkly oldie carpenter and requested the king for giving him an opportunity to carve the wooden idols which were to become deities. The carpenter had made one condition with the king and queen, stating not to open the door of the till 21 days. However, just after two weeks, one fine day, the Queen became very anxious as she couldn’t hear any noise from inside. She assumed the carpenter to be dead and requested the king to open the door. On the 17th day , the king opened the door, but to their surprise , they found the three idols unfinished with incomplete hands , and carpenter being disappeared . But a divine voice told King Indradyumana to install these deities in the temple. The king Indradyumna then requested Shri Visvakarma to build a magnificent temple to house the deities, near the Kalpabata. Finally, the deities were installed in the temple by Brahma with divine rituals.
Lord Jagannath is known as “Darubrahma“. In the 28th Chapter of Skanda-Purana Purushottama-kshetra Mahatmya, Lord Brahma Himself reveals the true identity of Lord Shri Jagannath when He instructs King Indradyumna with these words: “Thinking it is a wooden image, O pre-eminent King, let there not be the idea in you that this is a mere image; this is verily the form of Supreme Brahman (Supreme Omnipresent God). As Param-Brahman takes away all sorrows and confers eternal bliss, He is known as Daru. According to the four Vedas therefore, the Lord is manifest in the form of Daru (sacred wood). He is the Creator of the entire Universe. He has also created Himself.” (Chapter 28, verses 39-41).
King Indradyumna then introduced the daily and special festive rituals of the Lord, as per scriptures, which continues till date. The temple of Lord Jaganath constructed by King Indradyumna is considered to be the tallest monument of the world with 1,000 cubits high and also the most beautiful Temple for Lord Vishnu.
Shree Jagannath, Shri Baladev and Mata Subhadra are worshipped on the Ratnavedi along with Sudarshan chakra. All these deities are carved out of dark coloured Neem wood, unlike deities in Hindu temples, which are carved out of stone and precious metals. Shri Jagannath is black in complexion, Shri Balabhadra is white , Mata Subhadra is turmeric yellow and The Sudarshan chakra is red in colour. These deities are unique and signifies that Shri Jagannath is beyond space and time and symbol of universal love and brotherhood.
The glory and descriptions of manifestations of Shree Jagannath has been described in many sacred scriptures of Sanatana Vaidika Dharma ranging from the Vedas to the Puranas, followed by literary compositions in Sanskrit, Odia and other languages.
Lord Shree Jagannath, Purusham Mahantam, The Supreme Divine Being
“He (The Supreme Divine Being) is without hands, feet (and yet) moves and grasps; He sees (though) without eyes; He hears (though) without ears. He knows whatever is to be known, and of Him, there is no knower. They speak of Him as the First, the Purusha and the Great.” Shvetasvetara Upanishad (Chapter 3, verse 19).
Shree Jagannath is Omnipresent , Omnipotent, and Omniscient . He is Parameshwara (Supreme Lord) Param-Brahman (Supreme Omnipresent God) and Paramatma (Supreme Self).
Shree Jagannath is revered and prayed by his ardent devotees in many names. Truth is one; wise speak of it in different ways.
He is Purushottama, that means, the Supreme Divine Being (Purusha means Divine Being; Uttama means Supreme).
He is Mahaprabhu. His open arm is a welcoming posture. He invites, embraces and protects his devotees.
He is “Mahabahu“. His parallel arms extend to unlimited points and helps limitless devotees who surrender to him.
He is “Nirakara“. He has a divine manifestation with a square flat head, face merging with chest, no neck, no ears and no limbs.
He is “Chakadola” .The divine Eyes are big, dark and round. He sees everything, hears everything and knows everything.
Lord Jagannath is dark, Black, in complexion, Balabhadra white and Maa Subhadra is turmeric yellow. The Sudarshan chakra is red in colour. The Lord of all religion whether Hindu or non-Hindu all find solace and relief in him even though they have different interpretations for Him. That is why it is said: truth is one; wise speak of it in different ways. In this way, Lord Jagannath is invoked and worshipped by devotees belonging to diverse religious faiths and traditions, each in their own way.
Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannath also called as ‘Chariot Festival’ is a 10-12-day annual visit of Lord Jagannath, along with his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and little Sister Lord Subhadra to Gundicha Temple via Mausi Maa Temple (maternal aunt’s home) near Saradha Bali, Puri, 3 km away from the Jagannath temple, for nine days.
Shree Jagannath Temple,
The Pondicherry Shreekhetra,
Navajuga Nagar,Vill: Pattanur,
PO: Thiruchitrambalam,
Dist: Villupuram,
Tamilnadu. Pin: 605111