Lord Jagannath is the Lord of the World- Jagat meaning world and Nath meaning Lord - the combined word being Jagat's Nath or Lord of the World.
He was basically a tribal lord Nilamadhaba who was worshipped by the Sabara Tribe of UddraDesa (Odisha, India) and became widely worshipped after King Indradyumna (fifth generation of Lord Brahma, the Creator in Hindu religion as per Utkal Khanda of Skandha Purana) came in search of the Lord.
The King, after seeing the Lord in a dream and as per divine directions along with the Sabara priest Biswavasu's help, established Lord's temple at Sri Purushottam Kshetra (Puri) in UddraDesa (Odisha) by the sea.
The current magnificent and huge Puri temple was built only in the 12th century by King Ananga Bhima Deva - a grand, befitting home for the Lord.
Though the splendidly carved temple is not open to non-Hindus, the kind Lord has the most unique way to give darshan to ALL his devotees, be they of any religion/caste/color/creed, around the world through the Annual Rath Yatra (Car Festival) in which the Lord with his siblings- Balabhadra, Subhadra travel to their Aunt's place (Mausima Temple) in chariots, with ropes being pulled in the presence of lakhs of devotees!
This occasion is believed to be so pious that one who pulls the ropes of the Lord's chariot on this day is freed from the cycles of birth and death.
As per my Mom, the colors of the trio of siblings can be interpreted to represent broadly all the races of the world- Balabhadra being white in color symbolises the white-skinned people; Subhadra being yellow stands for largely the Mongoloids; Jagannath being black symbolises the black/brown skinned people- thereby uniting the entire world among themselves!
Also I've learnt from Mom, an M.A. in Odia and so true a devotee of Lord Jagannath all her life that she lives in His abode now, that Lord Jagannath's idol can be interpreted to have symbolism from all religions- a half moon on his face, a sort of cross, possibly has tooth relic of Buddha and so on, and also by being a half-built idol he is the Messiah of all the physically challenged people in the world.
No wonder, the world-unifying Jagannath cult has millions of followers the world over and whenever I see Rath Yatra images and telecast from Puri I always remember Mom's words- 'Watch the people in this crowd of lakhs- the Lord is one among them only and will be visible to his true devotee......'
**This is my post for Festival Of Words- 9 sentence Fiction for March 2 by Write Tribe. For more info about Lord Jagannath, please visit:
Official Site of Shri Jagannath Temple Administration
http://www.templenet.com/Orissa/puri.html
Lord Jagannath as a vital part of all religions
Odisha Tourism
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| Source |
He was basically a tribal lord Nilamadhaba who was worshipped by the Sabara Tribe of UddraDesa (Odisha, India) and became widely worshipped after King Indradyumna (fifth generation of Lord Brahma, the Creator in Hindu religion as per Utkal Khanda of Skandha Purana) came in search of the Lord.
The King, after seeing the Lord in a dream and as per divine directions along with the Sabara priest Biswavasu's help, established Lord's temple at Sri Purushottam Kshetra (Puri) in UddraDesa (Odisha) by the sea.
The current magnificent and huge Puri temple was built only in the 12th century by King Ananga Bhima Deva - a grand, befitting home for the Lord.
 |
| Source |
Though the splendidly carved temple is not open to non-Hindus, the kind Lord has the most unique way to give darshan to ALL his devotees, be they of any religion/caste/color/creed, around the world through the Annual Rath Yatra (Car Festival) in which the Lord with his siblings- Balabhadra, Subhadra travel to their Aunt's place (Mausima Temple) in chariots, with ropes being pulled in the presence of lakhs of devotees!
This occasion is believed to be so pious that one who pulls the ropes of the Lord's chariot on this day is freed from the cycles of birth and death.
As per my Mom, the colors of the trio of siblings can be interpreted to represent broadly all the races of the world- Balabhadra being white in color symbolises the white-skinned people; Subhadra being yellow stands for largely the Mongoloids; Jagannath being black symbolises the black/brown skinned people- thereby uniting the entire world among themselves!
 |
| Source |
No wonder, the world-unifying Jagannath cult has millions of followers the world over and whenever I see Rath Yatra images and telecast from Puri I always remember Mom's words- 'Watch the people in this crowd of lakhs- the Lord is one among them only and will be visible to his true devotee......'
 |
| Source |
**This is my post for Festival Of Words- 9 sentence Fiction for March 2 by Write Tribe. For more info about Lord Jagannath, please visit:
Official Site of Shri Jagannath Temple Administration
http://www.templenet.com/Orissa/puri.html
Lord Jagannath as a vital part of all religions
Odisha Tourism
Nice article. Complete n brief description. Very useful.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Abhijit! Entire books can be written abt our great Lord Jagannath! This is but humble 9 sentences....:) Thanks for posting your comment and I welcome you to my blog! Hope U keep visiting here! :D
DeleteWonderfully presented. Super images & description within 9 Sentences. Now the Lord of the Universe has a home in your Blog!
ReplyDeleteTrue that Lord Jagannath is open to all across the world and His Annual Rath Yatra is much celebrated, now world over.
He is the only God who gets a new 'body' that proves that he is a living God. The occasion called 'Nabakalebar' will be celebrated next year in 2015 :)
Thanks Anita! Yes I wanted to write about Nabakalebar as well- thanks and I will definitely devote an entire post to this rare event!:) Jay Jagannath!
DeleteExcellent article Amrita...keep writing :)
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Ranjan! Do keep visiting my blog for more!:-)
DeleteUseful :)
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Sachin! :-)
DeleteI don't see the fiction angle in this post. Can you point me to it?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your pointer.I actually did not think of putting any fiction angle to this. This is true and I've written about the beliefs of millions of Jagannath Cult followers!
DeleteThis is a must visit place,among 4 DHAM of india,in kalyuga this is the only jagrat dham.Also this temple consits of Devi temple which is among 51 shakti peeths of maa bhagwati.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Sir for adding these points! Limiting to 9 sentences here...I plan to write much more about this great avatar of Lord Vishnu in coming days! :-)
DeleteYou did it so well in writing about lord Jagannath in 9 sentences. It has everything; history, mythology, popular beliefs about our lord. But I think it could have been more coherent if written on a particular theme. Wish u will write more on the topic. Jay Jagannath !
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sam for your comment! Welcome to my blog! :) Yes taking a particular theme & writing will also give more info abt our Lord...I'm planning to do that in future posts! :D
DeleteThanks again! :) Do keep reading my blog posts for sure!
I almost feel like worshiping, but only almost
ReplyDeleteHa ha! U hv to be an atheist to say that! :-P
DeleteThe temple complex houses 145 temples seating those many Gods n Goddesses. There are 4 dwars (gates) into the temple. Daily Main offerings to GOD s are called MAHAPRASAD. Lord Jagannat is a Gourmet vary fond of grand dishes and there are around 450 types of sweets, confectionaries and pastries offered daily. Devotees can take the blessings of MAHAPRASAD satiating hnger both physical and spiritual. The Kitchen within cooks MAHAPRASAD for at least 10000 people daily and on Rathyatra times, cooks more than 1 Lakh people. almost the biggest kitchen in the world and the cooking style is real unique never seen anwhwere in the world. the MAHAPRASAD does have an out of the world taste, simply fantastic. and so many unique characteristics of the temple savoured by millions of its devotees the world over, which has the maximum temple worldwide more than 1200 places including mre than 140 places across the globe .
ReplyDeleteExcellent points! Thanks Sunny for putting in these! :-) yes the Mahaprasad of Puri is most unique in d world & its believed that it has the touch of Goddess Mahalaxmi herself due to which it tastes divine n fills stomach n heart of all who have it! Nothing can beat Lord's steaming hot Mahaprasad..:-)
DeleteI had witnessed the Holy Rathayatra once when I was a little girl..grandeur of Prabhu Jagarnatho.. nicely written within nine sentences :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Maniparna! Yes even me. So what if I stay 60 kms away- I have gone just four or five times during the duration of the Festival! :) It's about devotion in the heart- Lord Jagannath knows EVERYTHING!
DeleteThanks for a quick post of 9 words on Lord Jagannath of Puri. I can understand your inspiration from your mother, who was a devotee of the Lord. Her Aasheervad is always with you by Lord Jagannath's Grace.
ReplyDelete- Aekaanthan
My God...I feel so blessed reading your kind, considerate words and good wishes for me...:)
DeleteThanks so much Aekaanthan..May The Lord bless U too...:)
Correction: Please read 9 sentences in place of 9 words in the first sentence of my comment.
ReplyDelete-aekaanthan
Yes yes I got that! :)
DeleteMy Mom always told me abt the great glory of Lord Jagannath...of the miracles wich have happened & continue to happen...of His riches that remain hidden...as she is now at His Abode I kno she has become one with the Parmatman...
Actually I have a lot lot more to write...I plan to do so in coming weeks...plz do keep following my blog.. :)
I am not much into mythology so this one was totally informative Amrita :)
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful Jyotsna! :) Our mythology & religion is very rich...try reading,feeling & a world of discovery lies there as well...:)
DeleteHi Amrita.Very nicely written.I was at Jagannath Puri few years ago and the article brings back the sweet memories of my visit.Also, I could feel your love for Lord Jagannath and Krishna.Good luck.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Ramana! Glad I could bring back gud memories of the Lord for U! I need all the gud wishes of everyone...thanks so much for that!
Delete