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Home , Anantavarman Chodaganga, Char Dham, Mausi Maa Temple, Nabakalebara

[Lohani et al. , 3(1): Jan-Mar., 2013] ISSN: 2277-5528

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES & MANAGEMENT PHILOSOPHICAL REVIEW AND EVOLUTIONARY EVIDENCES OF LORD Tarun Kumar Lohani *1 & Bibhuti Bhusan Senapati 2 *1 Orissa Engineering College, Bhubaneswar, 2 GOP College, Gop, , , India

ABSTRACT The Jagannath Temple in Puri is a famous dedicated to Jagannath and located in the coastal town of Puri in the state of Odisha, India. The name Jagannath (Lord of the Universe) is a combination of the words Jagat (Universe) and Nath (Lord of). And also, the word "Jagannatha" is evolved from " Jagati " (as an elevated platform or "Ratnabedi" on which the wooden form of Jagannatha, Balabhadra and are worshiped on or the temple or its precincts inside the "Narendra Pokhari" ) and "Natha" (Oriya:  ) (means " Lord "). The temple is an important destination for many Hindu traditions, particularly worshippers of and , and part of the Char Dham that a Hindu is expected to make in one's lifetime. The temple was built in the 11th century atop its ruins by the progenitor of the , King Anantavarman Chodaganga . The temple is famous for its annual Rath , or chariot festival, in which the three main temple deities are hauled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars. Since medieval times, it is also associated with intense religious fervour. The temple is sacred to the Vaishnava traditions and saint Ramananda who was closely associated with the temple. It is also of particular significance to the followers of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism whose founder, , was attracted to the deity, Jagannath, and lived in Puri for many years. KEYWORDS: Philosophy, Evolution, Evidence, Lord Jagannath, Puri

INTRODUCTION Oh Lord Jagannath you are great, you are नीलाचलनवासाय न याय परमा मने the king of Gods. You are within the hearts of billions of people since you give power, बलभसुभायां जगनाथाय ते नमः enthuse, motivator, caring and overall father गदानदकदाय णतातहराय च of fathers. Puri being a coastal district of Orissa is ते नमः नीलाचलनवासाय जगनाथाय famous for its Historic antiquities, Religious sanctuaries, Architectural Grandeur, Sea- Corresponding Author* scape beauty, moderate climate. It holds a Email- [email protected] wealth of attraction for the visitors. It boasts of a continuous history from the 3rd Century B.C. to the present day and its unique monuments like those of Lord Jagannath at

Int. J. of Engg. Sci. & Mgmt. (IJESM), Vol. 3, Issue 1: Jan.-Mar.: 2013, 61-67

[Lohani et al. , 3(1): Jan-Mar., 2013] ISSN: 2277-5528

Puri, the Sun God at Konark are the famous with the stones, her ancient architects and in the world. It has the Chilika Lake, one of sculptors will shows one what it really the largest brackish water lakes in India that means. holds a picturesque Sea-Scape beauty. It NEED OF RESEARCH offers an ideal resort for birds who migrate The Chairot festival of Lord Jagannath of from different parts of the continent. By Puri is one of the most awaited festivals of virtue of Geographical location, the climate Odisha and see mass congregation of people of Puri is equable throughout the year. Puri in the sleepy town of Puri for the divine the abode of Vishnu as Jagannath which visualization of the Lord Jagannath. The contributed the word "Juggernaut" to the practice which for a eons have been effected English language represents its integrated out in Puri turns it into a cauldron of human individuality as its cultural heritage, a sea with over 10-15 lakh visitor on one unique blend of claims of time and eternity single day. The Lord who leaves his temple with a power answerable only to wisdom. to vist His aunt’s place once a year is carried Puri's compendious heritage has been to a chariot which is then drawn to the representing that spark of immortality that neighboring Mausi maa temple. This the Oriyas and the Indians have own against practice provides an opportunity to people to the powers of negation, through a spirit of have a vision of the Lord in full glory and university, adaptability, and an astute without any hindrance. This practice in itself mixture of the present which no other is significant in many ways. In the Hindu culture can aspire to explain as its self philosophy, the use the justification. The name of the Lord as metaphor of a chariot to explain the Purusottama (perfection personified) or as importance of the human body and intellect. Jagannath (Lord of Universe) represents a While the human body is believed to be universality in true with the familiar chariot the spirit is compared to Lord fraternity of mankind (Vasudheiva Jagannath. The spirit dawns the body chariot Kutumbakam). Adi Shankaracharya visited for a short duration. While in the body, all Puri, set up the Gobardhan efforts should be made to realize the self. (monastery) as the exception from his other Apart from philosophical significance, the three as a vaishnavite, defined practice has religious historical importance Jagannath as the Supreme one. It is thus not too. The chariot had an immense only one of the four dhams (Holy Places) for significance in the battlefield of but the most pious and sacred place. . Arjuna as a passenger was Temples and sanctuaries, beaches and seated at the back of the chariot driven by glorious lakes, colourful, vibrant and the the charioteer Lord Krishna. The same numerous festivals for every reason and for practice is repeated here. Many believe that every season that can take on a "Jagannath- the custom of placing the idols on the grand like momentum". Puri has then all and much chariots and pulling them has a Buddhist more for all. Excellently connected by air, origin. Fa Hien, the Chinese historian, who rail, and road, Puri invites you to its visited India in the fifth century AD, had hospitable environs and promises an written about the chariot of the Buddha experience one will never forget. When being pulled along the public roads. Among others talk of taking one down memory lane, other, the chariot constructed for Lord Puri will take one back to ones ancient Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and linkages. When others talk of romancing Subhadra for the is unique and

Int. J. of Engg. Sci. & Mgmt. (IJESM), Vol. 3, Issue 1: Jan.-Mar.: 2013, 61-67

[Lohani et al. , 3(1): Jan-Mar., 2013] ISSN: 2277-5528

quite significant in many ways. The and weapons like irons, nails, clamps construction of chariots is an ancient needed for the chariots practice which in itself is as unique as the 4. Chekkar - The workers who arranged festival of the Rath yatra. Per traditions the the wood and provided it during the chariots of Lord Jagannath are created every construction year at “Rathakhala” at the Bada Danda 5. Rupakar - Sculptors who made the (Grand Road) in Puri. Since the last few statues of the deites and decorated years, the responsibility of the construction the chariots of the three chariots in Puri has been taken 6. Chitrakar - The painter who painted over by the state government, which earlier the chariots and other designs on the was the sole prerogative of the Gajapati of chariots Puri. The construction of the chariots has 7. Sutikars - The tailors who made always been a natural process and has been dresses and decorated the chariots. done in the same way throughout but with But with time, the “Saptakar” have been time certain changes have taken place. If one replaced with 36 servitors who are analyses the nitty-gritty of the construction concerned with the construction of the of the chariots, one will readily understand chariots. Apart from these 36 servitors the that it is not an easy task. Round the clock total number of servitors who perform work of many people are needed to give various services on the chariots has gone up shape to the chariot of the lord. Earlier, the to 64. These include the work and services workers engaged in the construction of the of person responsible for arranging the chariots used to begin their work on the days wood, cutting the wood, carting it off to of “Dola Purnima” and it used to end on the Puri, arranging the rope for the chariot, the day when the chariots were dismantled. gongs and many other services. Today the However these days the construction of the services of the Chief architect, sculptor, chariots is done on the day of “Akshay painter and tailor are the most important. tritya”. Many changes have taken place The research on Lord Jagannath is endless. down the line in the nature and tradition of There are enormous publications and in the work of the chariot-makers, servitors and depth research already done on different the architects associated with construction. aspects of the philosophies, but still many Earlier there were seven main architects who problems are still to be dealt with. were responsible for the construction of the SCOPE OF THE STUDY chariots and they were known as the The scope of study on Lord Jagannath has no “Saptarathkar” (Seven boundary. The philosophical theme has got carpenters/architects). They created seven no limits. The major advantage of the study sections (“nijog”) under them and each of is to find more depth of knowledge which them used to play a distinct role. They were: spells bounds the field of research. Since 1. Gunakar - The architects responsible Lord Jagannath symbolizes the Human God, for everything related to construction he is also abided by the same principle of like measurement rebirth and regeneration. Once in twelve 2. Mukhyarathakar - The main years the celebration of Nabakalebara asserts carpenter who constructed the vital that like human being God also take rebirth portion of the chariots by leaving apart his old wooden body and the 3. Lohakar - Black smiths who used to Navibrahma is transferred from old to new prepare and arrange all equipments body. Some says the soul of Lord Jagannath

Int. J. of Engg. Sci. & Mgmt. (IJESM), Vol. 3, Issue 1: Jan.-Mar.: 2013, 61-67

[Lohani et al. , 3(1): Jan-Mar., 2013] ISSN: 2277-5528

is nothing else but the tooth of Lord Buddha. creations, Jagannath has been treated as the From the overall analysis it has been clear Ninth avatar, by substituting Buddha. that the cult of Lord Jagannath is quite Jagannath considered as a form of the Hindu distinctive and idiosyncratic in its character God Vishnu, is non-sectarian and has not and for this reason it has been treated as the been associated with any particular best religion of the world. From denomination of in entirety, traditionalistic principles to modernistic though there are several common aspects views all are embedded within the cult to with Vaishnavism, Saivism, Shaktism, give it a unique position among the world Smartism, as well as with Buddhism and religions. Starting from socialist philosophy . The oldest and most famous to universal brotherhood, nationalistic ideals Jagannath deity is established in Puri, in to patriotism, devotion, dedication and Orissa. The temple of Jagannath in Puri is perseverance, all have been merged within regarded as one of the Char Dham (sacred the vast ocean of religious conviction and Hindu pilgrimage places) in India. The most consciousness. famous festival related to Jagannath is the RESEARCH METHODOLOGY , where Jagannath, along with the Jagannath (or Jagannatha) meaning "Lord of other two associated deities, comes out of the Universe", is a deity worshipped the Garbhagriha of the chief temple (Bada primarily by Hindu people, mainly in the Deula). They are transported to the Indian states of Orissa, West Bengal, (located at a distance of Jharkhand, Bihar, Tripura and by Hindus in nearly 3 kilometres (1.9 miles), in three Bangladesh. Jagannath is considered a form massive wooden chariots drawn by of Vishnuor his avatar Krishna by the devotees. Coinciding with the Rath Yatra Hindus. Jagannath is worshipped as part of a festival at Puri, similar processions are triad on the "Ratnavedi" (jewelled platform) organized at several places in the world along with his brother Balabhadra and sister where Jagannath temples have been built. Subhadra by his devotees. The icon of CONCLUSION Jagannath is a carved and decorated wooden Today, while many Indians are staying away stump with large round eyes and with from their tradition and are attracted to the stumps as hands, with the conspicuous blind imitation of the “Western ways”, absence of any legs. The worship becoming massively and fanatically procedures, practices, sacraments and rituals converted to Christianity, atheism and of Jagannath do not conform with those of communism, or simply to gross materialism classical Hinduism. The principal image of and agnosticism, among foreigners at global the deity is at the temple city of Puri in the level Vedic concepts such as yoga and Indian state of Orissa. It is made of wood, meditation, karma, prana, and reincarnation which is an exception to common Hindu have become extremely popular, selling iconographic deities of metal or stone. The millions of books, courses and seminars all origin and evolution of Jagannath worship, over the world. Millions of non-Indians as well as iconography, is unclear and has from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds are been subject to intense academic debate. sincerely taking up the study and practices Jagannath lacks a clear Vedic reference and of the traditional “golden heritage” of India, is also not a member of the traditional including classical Indian dance, Sanskrit, Dashavatara concept or the classical Hindu Ayurvedic medicine, Vastu, Indian pantheon, though in certain Oriya literary astrology, and even the ritual performance

Int. J. of Engg. Sci. & Mgmt. (IJESM), Vol. 3, Issue 1: Jan.-Mar.: 2013, 61-67

[Lohani et al. , 3(1): Jan-Mar., 2013] ISSN: 2277-5528

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Int. J. of Engg. Sci. & Mgmt. (IJESM), Vol. 3, Issue 1: Jan.-Mar.: 2013, 61-67