+91 9566643171
The abode of Shri Jagannath is on a blue mountain. That is why it is called ‘Niladri’ or ‘Nilachal’. Lord Jagannath is most frequently identified with Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, although in Vaishnava tradition he is also worshipped as Purna Brahman. Shree Jagannath is affectionately known as Jagā kalia or Jagabandhu, the Friend of the Universe, Kālia, the Black-coloured Lord, or the Timely One, Dāruēdebatā, The wooden god, Chakā-ākhi or Chakānayan, with round eyes, Chakadola. Lord Jagannath does not appear in the traditional Dashavataras (Ten avatars) of Vishnu, although Shree Jagannath in certain Odia literature, has been mentioned as the ninth avatar. The culture and devotion of Odisha are intensely enriched by the adoration of Lord Jagannath. Lord Jagannath is the soul of Odia’s. Therefore, wherever the Odia people reside they pray to Lord Jagannath by constructing his Temple.
Lord Jagannath along with his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, adorn the Rathna Bedi, the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, along with the Sudarshana Chakra , and are made out of neem wood, the Daru Brahma. The three deities of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Maa Subhadra symbolise Chaitanya, the consciousness, Shakti, the energy, and Jnana, the knowledge, respectively. Lord Jagannath is identified by a large circular face symbolizing someone who is anadi, without any beginning and ananta, without any end. Two big symmetric circular eyes, one symbolizing the sun and the other the moon adore his face.
Shri Jagannath Temple, Pondicherry, managed by Pondicherry Utkal Samaj, is situated off the Tindivanam Highway at Moratandi, Auroville, Tamil Nadu. Nestled among sylvan settings, the temple provides a serene place for worship away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The temple has large open spaces and is surrounded by trees and gardens, providing the perfect backdrop to experience peace and tranquillity. Devotees regularly visit this temple with Faith and Devotion to worship Lord Jagannath.
The temple organizes various festivals such as Saraswati Puja, Dola Purnima, SnanaYatra, RathaYatra, Ganesha Chaturthi, and Krishna Janmashtami.
The temple authorities organize the RathaYatra festival on a grand scale, every year. Elaborate ceremonies are conducted before the idols start their journey from the sanctum on a chariot. As part of the ritual, the deities are transported to the decorated chariot in a spectacular rhythmic procession called pahandibije. The temple also actively participates in the Masi Magam festival, celebrated in Pondicherry, in the Tamil month of Masi. In this festival, the Idols of deities from nearby temple visit and stay for two days and nights in the Jagannath temple campus before they are taken to the sea for a ceremonial bath. Taking a dip in the sea or river during the festival is considered auspicious as one can cleanse oneself of negative energies and invoke the grace of one’s forefathers.
Pondicherry Utkal Samaj endeavors constantly to promote the cultural richness of the Odia Community and has provided a platform for the promotion of Odissi and other dance forms of Odisha to preserve the age-old traditions.
Shree Jagannath Temple,
The Pondicherry Shreekhetra,
Navajuga Nagar,Vill: Pattanur,
PO: Thiruchitrambalam,
Dist: Villupuram,
Tamilnadu. Pin: 605111