Orissa Review July - 2010

World Famous Lord

Naresh Chandra Rout

Famous deities associated with Indian culture and for the Vaishnavites, for the Shaivites, worshipped long since are in different Mahabhairab for the Tantrics, Buddha and forms in four µDhams¶, twelve µJyoti Lingas¶ µAnupurusha¶ (void) for Boudhas and Ganesh for (Shiva) in different forms and fifty two µShakti¶ the Ganapatya. The rituals, the adornment outfits dieties in different forms in µShakti Pithas¶. and festivals support one god in different names Out of four µdhams¶ (sacred land) and adornments. Four gods namely Jagannath, Badrinath in Badrika Dham of , Balabhadra, and Sudarsan have been Dwarakadhis in Dwaraka Dham of Gujrat, Sri installed on the raised platform called Ratna Bedi Jagannath in Dham of Orissa and (sanctum sanctorum). Jagannath stands for Shrirameswar in Rameswar Dham of Tamilnadu Shrikrishna, Balabhadra is the elder brother, are being worshipped. Subhadra is the sister and Sudarsan is the all conquering wheel weapon. Jagannath in Puri µDham¶ Subhadra, Jagannath and Balabhadra is known to common men of other represent the Trinity of i.e. Brahma, states as the land of Shri Jagannath, who is not Vishnu and Maheswar. The three deities represent only famous in but is all over the world. the entire humanity. Jagannath black in colour Jagannath temples have been built and car represents the black race, Balabhadra white in festivals are celebrated in many places outside colour represents the white race and Subhadra, India also. yellow in colour represents the yellow race. In Puri Dham close to shore of the Bay of other temples, idols are made of stone or metal Bengal is known as Shrikshetra (Land of but here the idols are made of specified wood. prosperity) Sankha Kshetra, Bhouma Kshetra, The eyes of Jagannath are circular and devotees Purosottam Kshetra (land of the supreme being), therefore call him µChakadola¶. All these idols are (blue hill), Jamanika Kshetra, Uddiyaman unusual and sculpted in incomplete form. It Kshetra, Martya Baikunth (Paradise on earth) et indicates that true and complete picturisation of al. Many ancedotes are cited in support of the God is not possible. It is said God completes his names. morning works at Badrika Dham, puts on his Jagannath is the µKalpa Bruksha¶ (boon robes and ornaments at Dwaraka Dham, takes giving tree), µYogamurti¶ of the Siddhas, Bishnu his lunch at Puri Dham and wears night dress at

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Rameswar Dham and goes to bed. Therefore Long time elapsed, by the time the king returned Mahaprasad or sacred food in large quantities in only to find another king Galamadhab contending different varieties is available at Puri. Sudarsan, to have built the temple. However Galamadhab the wheel-weapon, due to influence of Buddhism yielded, the problem was solved, and the three is shaped like a cut-out part of pillar with a wheel idols were consecrated in the temple. With time painted on it. Wood is a short living material. the old temple gave way. It is said that construction Consequently µNavakalevar¶ (New idols) are of the present temple was started by Jajati Keshari made and their installation is celebrated at and completed by Chodaganga Dev in 12th specified intervals. Every year renovation of the century. There are differing opinions in different idols is done observing specified rituals. books but historical truth is not available. Origin of Shri Jagannath Shri Mandir (The Grand Temple) In this context there are varying opinion One of the many names of spouse of in legends. The anecdote generally accepted is Jagannath is Shri Shri means prosperity. Campus as follows:- of Jagannath temple covers 10 acres of land. Two compound walls surround the temple. The outer Autochthonous Sabar King Viswabasu wall is called Meghanad Prachir which is 650 ft was worshipping µNilamadhab¶ in µNilagiri¶ Hill. in length, 644 ft in breadth and 20 ft in height. , the king of Abanti was a devotee The inner wall is called Kurma Prachir which is of Vishnu. He wanted to build a temple and install 400 ft in length, 278 ft in breadth and 20 ft in Vishnu therein. Minister Bidyapati sent by the king height. The height of the majestic temple is 214 ft to search for Nilamadhab came to Biswabasu. In 8 inch from the level of Bada Danda (Grand no time Bidyapati and Lalita, the daughter of the Road). The massive temple is full of sculptures in Sabar king were entangled in love. Consequent Orissan style of architecture. A lime coating was upon earnest request of both, Biswabasu took provided in the past to protect the sculpture from Bidyapati to Nilagiri. He stood spell-bound to see effect of saline wind blast on the sea coast. dazzling Nilamadhab. Thereafter Bidyapati Recently the coating has been removed to expose stealthily left the house of Biswabasu and rushed the wonderous sculpture. 15 ft high Neelachakra to Indradyumna to report about the precious (Blue Wheel) made of a compound of 8 metals discovery. The king galloped with his entourage soars at the top of the temple and very large to Nilagiri only to see vacant mountatin. He heard pennant, a symbol of relief to the suffering hovers a heavenly voice that He would float as a tree at the top of the wheel. There are four gates to trunk at Banki Muhani of the Bay of Bengal. The enter into the campus of the temple. East (Main), king managed to collect the tree. After failure of West, North and South gates are called Lion, all artisans, an old artisan volunteered to complete Elephant, Tiger or Khanja and Horse gates. A 33 the idols within a period of 21 days inside a closed ft monolithic sculptured pillar has been installed chamber. After 15 days the door was opened on in front of the Lion's Gate. This is called Aruna the insistence of Queen Gundicha in apprehension Stambha which has been shifted from the Konark of untoward situation when no sound was heard. temple. Idol of Patitapaban comes into view on The old artisan had vanished leaving behind the right side before entering through the main gate incomplete and unique idols. The king went to for relief to that all barred from entering into the Brahma, one of the Trinity, to conscerate the idols. campus. After entry through the Lion's Gate

81 Orissa Review July - 2010 visitors have to cross Baisi Pahacha (22 steps) to Niladri Vihar, Dhabaleswar Mandir, Koili go round the campus. Actually there are 17 steps Baikuntha (sacred burial ground), Baikunth and the name Baisi Pahacha is a mystery. In front Mahadeb Mandir, Arpaana Gopal Mandir, of Baisi Pahacha stands the grand temple which Mahabir Tapaswee Hanuman Mandir, Bamana is divided into 5 chambers called Bhoga Mandap, Mandira, Laxmi Nrushingha Mandir, Uttarayani Nata Mandap, Jagamohan, Bahar Pokharia and Mandir, Sitala Thakurani Mandir, Jhadeswar Bhitara Pokharia from front to rear. Devotees Thakurani, Beddha Lokanath, Ganesh Mandir, make obeissance standing behind Garuda Parsunath Mandir, Dhabaleswar Shiba Mandir, Stambha facing the prime deities. The door Isaneswar Shiba Mandir, Ananda Bazar between Jagamohan and Bahar Pokharia is called (consecrated food market), Snana Mandap Jaya Bijay Dwar and the door between Bahara (Both Platform), Chahani Mandap (Gazing Pokharia and Bhitara Pokharia is called Kalahat pedestal). Dwar. In Bahar Pokharia there is a pedestal called Bhitara Bedha (Inner Compound Wall): µAnasara Pindi¶. In between Snana Jatra and Temple and sacred places on the inner Ratha Jatra, idols are worshipped on this pedestal side of Kurma Parchira are as follows: for a specified period. In Bhitara Pokharia stand Agneyaswar Mahadeb, Shri Satya Narayan, Shri the Chaturdha (four idols), Jagannath, Ramana Thakura, Shri Batakrushna Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarsan on the Mandira, Radhakrushna Mandira, Shri Brahma, Ratnavedi (Sanctum Sanctorum). Although called Bishnu Maheswara Mandira, Shri Hari Sahadeb Chaturdha Murti) there are 7 idols, the additional Mandir, Shri Bata Jagannath, Shri Balamukunda idols being Bhudevi (Saraswati), Shridevi (Laxmi) Mandira, Shri Bata Ganesh, Bata Mangala, and Nilamadhab. Bhudevi and Shridevi are made Pancha Pandab, Shri Baraha Narayan, Kalpa of metal and Nilamadhab is made of wood. Bata (Boon-yielding tree), Shri Surya Mandir, Bhudevi and Shridevi sojourn to specified Anant Basudeb, Kutam Chandi, Khetrapal destinations during specified festivals as Bije Mahadeb, Muktaswar Mahadeb, Mukti Mandap Pratima (emmissary). Nilamadhab never moves (Salvation Court), Nrusingha Mandir, Jalakrida out of Ratnavedi. Mandap, Rohini Kunda, Natua Ganesh, Shri Bahar Bedha (Outer Compound Wall) : Badri Narayan, Bimala Mandir, Shri Benu Madhab Mandir, Mandani Ghar, Padapadma Temples and other sacred places within Deula Naxa (Temple Plan), Shri Sakhigopal, Shri Meghanad Prachira and Kurma Parchira are as Kanchi Ganesh, Mandir, Khirachora follows: Kasi Biswanath, Shri Ramachandra Gopinath, Bhubaneswari, Shir Nilamadhab, Mandir, Veta Mandap, Rosa Ghar (kitchen), Shri Beddha Kali, Shri Laxmi Narayan Mandir, Ramchandra Mandir, Sadabhuj Gourang, Mahalaxmi Mandir, Nabagraha Mandir, Laxmi Mausima Mandir, Barabhai Hanuman, Gurundi Narayan Mandir, Shir Surya Narayan Mandir, Gopal, Puruna Nrushingha Mandir, Buddhima Shir Dadhibaman Mandir, Shri Ramchandra Mandir, Nilachal Upaban (Blue hill garden), Thakur, Pataleswar Mahadeb, Shri Padapadma, Nirmalya Khala (consecrated rice drying area), Shri Narayan Mandir, Shrimandira Karyalaya Panchamukhi Mahabir Mandir, Durga Madhab (Temple Office), Shri Radhakrushna Mandir, Mandir, Sidheswar Mahadeb Mandir, Chakra Garad Ghar (Security Office), Navikata Mandap, Narayan Mandir, Rameswar Mahadeb Mandir, Deba Seva Mandap, Paduka Kunda, Bali

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Bamana Mandir, Shri Nisa Nrushingha Mandir, offered to the Lord that his palms will never be Ekadasi Mandir, Kaliyug Venddha, Dakshina dry. Although called Chhapan Bhogi (Lord Who Ghar, Majana Mandap, Indrani Mandir, Shri is served fifty six varieties of food), the number of Bata Balabhadra Mandir, Shri Ananta Sayan. varieties and quantities all so large that it is not Rites and Rituals of Shri Jagannath possible to elaborate them here. Kitchen of Jagannath is said to be the largest kitchen in the Legendarily luminaries like Shankara- world. Legends provide varying opinions as to charya, Ramanuj, Madhabacharya, Chaitanya, why the offered to Jagannath food is called and Kabir have come to Puri and Mahaprasad. More acceptable opinion says food have left indelible imprints on rites and rituals and festivals of Puri. Syncretism of Vaishnab, Shaiba, offered becomes Mahaprasad and after it is Shakta, mystic tantric and autochthonous rituals reoffered to tantric goddess Bimala. Mahaprasad are reflected in the Temple. Routine rituals continue comprises two main varieties viz Anna from 5 AM to 12 midnight. Gopaniya Niti (Secret Mahaprasad (lunch / dinner variety), and Shukhila rituals), Nakshatra, Bandapana Niti (Rituals in Mahaprasad (Snacks variety), Anna Mahaprasad woship of stars), Ghodalagi Niti (Rituals for consists of Anna (rice), Dali (Lentils & pulses), changing apparels and ornaments), Grahana and Dalma (vegetable and pulses), Shag (Spinach), Parag Niti (Rituals for lunar and solar eclipse), Khata (Pickle), Kanika (Fried rice), Ghia Anna Ashauch and Durghatana Niti (Purification and (ghee-mixed rice) etc. Only indigenous vegetable accident rituals) are observed on specified days. are used in the temple kitchen. Potato, Tomato On Mahastami day, a male goat is sacrificed etc. are not used due to foreign origin. Token outside the temple premises and the blood mixed Anna Mahaprasad taken in two fingers is called with rice is offered to Bimala and thereafter the Kaibalya. Dried Anna Mahaprasad is called temple premises are purified. Deities Laxmi and Nirmalya and it is customary to take a grain of Saraswati of sanctum sanctorum and Nirmalya to complete process in the morning Ramakrushna Madan Mohan, Rama, Lakshman, by the ladies. Very small packs of grated cocoanut Sita, Hanuman, Narayan, Dolagobinda, Bada mixed with jaggery in a piece of dry leaf is called Nrushingha and Panch Pandab of Dakshina Sukhili and is available at nominal cost. Pilgrims Ghara take part in specified festivals on specified distribute Sukhili in villages after return from Puri. days as representatives of Jagannath. Snana and Sukhili also accompanies betel leaf and nut as a Anasara rituals, Ratha Jatra (Car festival) and part of invitation in marriage ceremony and thread Bahuda Jatra (The retreat festival) are famous ceremony. Specified Bhog items are supplied by in India and lakhs of people congregate at Puri. specified µMaths (monasteries) on specified days. Brief description of festivals is furnished test infra. Veshas of Jagannath Bhoga Samagri (Delicacies Offered to Shri Jagannath) Throughout the year Jagannath, Lord was so overwhelmed with devotion Balabhadra, Subhadra and their representative of king Indradyumna at the time of inauguration deities assume different decorated personae on of the temple that he offered to ask for any boon. different occasions. Main µVesas are as follows:- The king asked for the boon that such large Chandana Vesha for 42 days from third day of quantities of food in numerous varieties would be second fortnight of Kartika Month, Elephant or

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Ganesh personae on full moon day of Jyestha, Servitors of Shri Jagannath Harana Vesha on 11th day of second It is said Shri Mandir provides for fornight of Jyestha, Naba Jouban Vesha on new Chhatisha Nijoga or 36 grades of servitors. In moon day of Asadha, Suna Vesha on 11th day of fact the number of grades of servitors is about second fortnight of Asadha, Chitalagi and Rahu 250 and total number of servitors is very large. Rekha Lagi (Ornaments) on new moon day of Raja Seva (Royal service) and other services are Shraban, Banabhoji Vesha on 10th day of first the two main kinds of service to the temple. fortnight of Bhadrab, Kaliyadalan Vesha on 11th Gajapati Maharaja is the first and main servitor. day of first fortnight of Bhadrab, Pralambasura People treat him as roving God. He alone is Badha Vesha on 12th day of first fortnight of permitted to go inside the temple borne in a Bhadrab, Krushna Balaram Vesha on 13th day palanquins to the accompanyment of drums and of first fortnight of Bhadrab, Baman Vesha on 12th trumpet and bow before the Lord in the sanctum day of second fortnight of , Raja Vesha sanctorum. He sweeps Lords' chariots with the on 10th day of second fortnight of Aswina, help of a gold broom at the time of car festival, Radhadamodara Vesha from 11th day of second sweeps Dolabedi and Snana Vedi during Dola fortnight of Aswina to 10th day of second fortnight festival and Snana festival. Daitas (autochthonous of and Harihara Vesha on Mondays within servitors) and priests receive betel nut as token this period, Thiakia or Laxminarayan Vesha on of authorisation by the Maharaja to proceed in 12th day of second fortnight of Kartik, search of wood for (New Idols). Bankachuda Vesha and Tribhubana Vesha on He is the Chairman of temple management 13th day of second fortnight of Kartik, Laxmi committe. Other services are taken care of by Nrusingha Vesha on 14th day of second fortnight the large number of servitors. There are servitors of Kartik, Rajarajeswari Vesha on full-moon day even to chase crows at the time of cutting, rolling of Kartik, Shradha Vesha from 14th day of first and grinding vegetable and spices necessary for fornight to first day of second fortnight of cooking in the temple kitchen. There are also Margashira, Abhiseka Vesha on full-moon day many kinds of servitors for service outside the of Pousa, Padma Vesha on Saturday and Tuesday temple premises. between new-moon day and 5th day of second Snana Jatra (Bath Festival), Rath Jatra (Car fortnight of Magha, Gajaudharan Vesha on full- Festival) and Bahuda Jatra (Return Car moon day of Magha, Chacheri Vesha from 10th Festival) day of second fortjight to full-moon day of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are Phalguna, Raja Vesha on full-moon day of taken from sanctum sanctorum to bath altar one Phalguna, Nagarjuna Vesha is adopted in the year by one in ceremonial procession called Pahandi. in which covers six days in place of Bath is also conducted with festive ceremony. It normal five days upto end of Kartik and lakhs of is said that the three deities suffer from fever after people congregate to celebrate the festival. the bath. Therefore the deities are confined to Different personae of one God and syncretism of Anasarapindi up to end of first fortnight of Asadha different faiths and different idols is reflected in and they are worshipped by Daitas following their the Vesha¶s (Note: Months are Indian lunar months rituals. The damage or disfiguration during one of almanac). year is taken care of by restoration of Idols during

84 Orissa Review July - 2010 this period. People congregate for Nabajoubana festival is more famous than car festival in terms Darshan or to set eyes on the youthful Idols on of spendour and convergence of multitude of the first day of second fortnight of Asadha. On people. Bodies of old idols are cremated in µKoili the second day of second fortnight of Asadha Baikunth¶ (sacred burial ground). Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarsan Supernatural Powers of Shri Jagannath are taken in slow ceremonial procession to the three chariots which move to in Jagannath responds to prayer of persons ceremonial procession called Rath Jatra (Car in distress and therefore one of his names is Festival). Lakhs of people congregate to take part Artatrana (Great Healer). There are many in this festival. The deities remain in Gundicha accounts from the devotees depicting relief due Temple till 9th day of second fortnight of Asadha to grace of Jagannath and instances are: episodes and worshipped with the same rituals in Shri of Jayadev, Jagannath Das, Balaram Das, Raghu Mandir. The deities return in Rath Jatra - like Arakshit, Dinakrushna, Salabeg, Dasia Bauri, procession on 10th day of second fortnight of Bandhu Mohanty, Nilambar Das, Rajkumari Asadha. The deities remain on the chariots on Bishnupriya, Gita Panda, Paramesti, Ganapati that day and the next day on which Suna Vesha is Bhatt, Sadhu Mohanty, Raghu Das, Krupana made. The deities are adorned with precious Panda. Famous example of grace of Jagannath is apparel and heavy crown and ornaments of gold. µKanchi Abhijan¶ (Kanchi expedition). Princess The deities retreat to the sanctum sanctorum of of Kanchi was famous for beauty and erudition. Shri Mandir on 12th day of second fortnight of Purosottam Deb was the Maharaja of Utkal. A Asadha. The Car Festival is famous in the world proposal was mooted for his marriage with the for the unique ceremony and huge gathering of princess. Raja of Kanchi declined with satirical people irrespective of caste, creed, colour, religion remark that marriage with a sweeper who sweeps etc. Running commentary of the festival is the chariots of Jagannath is not possible. Treating transmitted in radio and television during the the refusal as an insult to Lord Jagannath, festival. Purusottam went on expedition to Kanchi seeking Naba Kalebar (New Body) blessings of Jagannath. At Adipur near Chilika As the bodies of four idols are made of lake Manik Gouduni (milk-maid) obstructed the wood, changing bodies after reasonable period Maharaja pleading for unpaid cost of cheese and is inevitable. Nabakalebar is made during the year curd eaten by his two leading soldiers riding black in which the month of Asadha comes in a pair for and white horses producing a gold ring as reconciliation between lunar and solar months. In evidence. Purusottam identified the ring as that of the past Naba Kalebar was held in 1912, 1931, Lord Jagannath leading the expedition. It was a 1950, 1969, 1977 and 1996. Observing specified war between Jagannath-led army with that of rituals µDaitas and priests proceed to Kakatpur Ganesh-led army of Kanchi. Purusottam won the and worship deity Mangala who reveals the war, brought the princess to Puri and instructed location of appropriate trees for making the idols. his Minister to get the princess married with a Trees are located, cut to appropriate sizes and sweeper. During next car festival, when transported to Puri observing prescribed rituals. Purusottam was sweeping Lord¶s chariot, the µBrahma Pinda¶ (Divine matter) is extracted from clever Minister offered the princess to the old idols and inserted in new idols. Naba Kalebar Maharaja.

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Parting Words In the year 1510 AD, Hussain Saha, Pre-eminence of Laxmi, the consort of Sultan of Bengal (Kalapahad) destroyed the idols Jagannath is exemplified in µLaxmi Puran¶. during his attack. Brahma Pinda was secretly Attracted by the welcome wall painting and removed from the idols and carried to devotion of Shriya, of low caste, Laxmi went to Kujangagarh before the attack. In 1575 AD, her house. Jagannath ordered to banish Laxmi Brahma Pinda was salvaged, inserted in new idols from the temple at the behest of elder brother and installed in renovated temple by Gajapati Balabhadra as contact with low-caste people was Ramachandra Dev. Therefore he earned the title forbidden. Laxmi left pronouncing the curse that second Indradyumna. poverty would rage in Shri Mandir after her In 1620 AD in apprehension of attack departure. Jagannath and Balabhadra saw by Moghul Commander Ahmed Baig, Brahma vanishing act of food in Shri Mandir and where- Pinda from the idols was removed and secretly ever they went. At last they agreed to take food hidden in Gadamanitri area of Banpur. Sacred from the house of a low-bred woman in a sea- stone was restored in the idols after four years side house. Items served proved that the food and worship was resumed. was prepared by none other than Laxmi. In 1687 AD, during the reign of Gajapati Responding to the apology of the two brothers, Divyasingha Dev, Nawab Ekram Khan under Laxmi consented to return to Shri Mandir on orders of Aurangjeb attacked Jagannath Temple, condition that caste-bias would be discarded from caused devastation in the temple premises and that day. But servitors prohibit entry of Muslims destroyed the Nilachakra bringing down the same and Christians into the temple. Most probably such from the top of the temple. prohibition is in practice due to waves of invasions by Muslims on Orissa, Shri Mandir and other In 1733 AD, before the attack of Taki Temples and anti-Hindu activities and Khan, the idols were carried in litters to Tekali at patronisations of Christianism by Christians as a the border of Khalikote kingdom. Idols were safety measure. restored in the temple after peace prevailed. All corporeal beings have to undergo Jagannath is not the Lord born out of fear cycles of weal and woe and Shrimandir and as conceived by Bertrand Russell. He is the Jagannath are no execeptions. At the time of gurdian, guide and guru to the devotees and the coronation of Jajati Keshari in the 9th century AD, bond with Him is unbreakable. People go to Shri Mandir was devoid of the idols. It was Jagannath with betel leaves and nuts to invite Him ascertained from servitors that the idols were as the first invitee in marriage and thread secretly transported to Sunupura (Sonepur) and ceremonies. buried somewhere secretly. The Maharaja salvaged the µBrahma Pinda¶ and conscerated new idols inserting the same and worship was Naresh Chandra Rout lives at 19, Buddha Nagar, resumed. Bhubaneswar-6.

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