enturies of myths, legends and history have all mingled into a grand Ccomposite culture centred round Jagannatha, the Lord of the Universe, one of the most revered deities of the Hindu pantheon. He is not only the Lord of the or Indians but also the Lord of the suffering humanity, the deliverer and the redeemer of the entire human civilisation in all ages and times. We find the earliest references to Lord Jagannatha in the Puranas and ancient literature though the details of His Origin and evolution are still shrouded in mystery. According to legendary sources, Jagannatha was originally worshipped by a tribal Shabar Biswabasu in the form of Lord Jagannatha : Neelamadhab. The most important evidence of this belief is the existence of a class of An Apostle of Sevakas known as Daitapatis who are Humanism considered to be the tribal lineage and who still pay a dominant role in the various services to Lord Jagannatha in His temple.

Dr. Siddhartha Kanungo The Cult of Jagannatha is not a sectarian religion, but a cosmopolitan and eclectic philosophy. In course of time, the cult of Jagannatha took an Aryanised from and various major faiths like Saivism, Shaktism, , Jainism and Buddhism have been assimilated into this cult. Thus Jagannatha cult stands as an all-pervasive and all-inclusive philosophy symbolising Unity in Diversity. In Jagannatha Temple, Jagannatha is worshipped as Purusottama or , Balabhadra is worshipped as Siva and Devi is worshipped in the from of Adyashakti Durga. Finally, the fourth one Sudarsana symbolising the wheel of Sun¶s chariot attracts the Sauras to the Centre.

98 ODISHA REVIEW * May-June - 2015 Some scholars like Pandit Nilakantha Historians say that Kabir, the famous Das are of the opinion that the three main Bhakti-saint also visited Puri, There is a Kabir images of Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Math in Puri. The founder of Sikhism, Guru Subhadra represent the Jain Trinity of Samyak Nanak visited Puri and established his Math Jnana. Samyak Charitra and Samyak Drusti. which is situated near the Swargadwar of Puri While others believe that three images town. represent the Buddhist Triad of Buddha, Besides Kabir and Nanak saints like and Sangha. It is also believed that Sankar Dev of Assam also visited Jagannatha the soul of Jagannatha most secretly hidden temple. It may be pointed out that two great within the image of Lord Jagannatha, is nothing saints like Sankaracharya and Ramanuja had but the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. The not only visited Jagannatha temple but also philosophy of Tantra which in course of time established Sankaracharya Math and Emar became an integral part of Buddhism has also Math respectively. significantly influenced the rites and rituals of the Jagannatha temple. ³This one temple in its Jagannatha¶s offering, popularly premises arranges a wonderful meeting of known as Mahaprasad bears testimony to a different combinations with one goal of life classless and casteless society which is main which can be attained by one way, unchanged aspect of humanism. It is through Mahaprasad for all times to come´. Whatever may be the that friendship is established among all castes- origin of this cult, it has been admitted both by high and low, Brahmins and Chandals can take the scholars as well as persons belonging to Mahaprasada from the same plate without any different religious traditions and faiths that this hesitation. Prof. U.C. Mohanty has rightly culture is the centre around which in course of opined ³Mahaprasad relationship is considered time divergent currents and cross currents the most sacred and highest type of have revolved. relationship, not only between man and man, but also between tribes and clans, between The philosophy of Lord Jagannatha village and village, a principle of fraternal love, thus defies all definitions and is yet respect, reciprocity and co-operation. comprehensive enough to perceive Unity among beliefs of all sects and castes. Some scholars have gone to the extent of saying that the three colours of the deities cult symbolises humanism. (Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra) The main aspects of humanism are deeply represent the three basic races of the world implanted in the institution of Lord Jagannatha. namely, black, white and yellow. Hence, the Jagannatha is the God of His devotees. Trinity of Puri represents the mankind. Salabeg, the Muslim poet, Dasia Bauri, the lowest of the low, Balaram Das, the poor saint In the daily rituals and various festivals and Bandhu Mohanty, a wretched beggar have of Lord Jagannatha, people from both high and got His blessings. low castes participate on equal footing. It is to

ODISHA REVIEW * May-June - 2015 99 be borne in mind that during Anavasara (a the highest Supreme Deity, the Purusottama, particular ritual in which Lord Jagannatha is to the countless millions of the Hindus living in supposed to fall ill). It is Daitapatis (the India and outside, but his relationship with descendants of the tribal Shavara Clan) and Odisha and the Odias is almost overwhelming.´ not the Brahmins who perform the rituals of Jagannath is the most democratic God. Lord Jagannatha. This bears testimony to the His philosophy bears a significant message to human aspect of Lord Jagannatha. the modern civilisation which has been The humanisation of Lord Jagannatha fragmented by all kinds of barriers on the is manifested in His Car Festival which is grounds of caste, colour, creed, religion and popularly known as Patitapaban Yatra. In this sex. However, Jagannath cult can tackle these festival, people without distinction of caste, problems very nicely because Lord Himself colour and creed join together and pull the stands as symbol of equality, fraternity and chariots with great enthusiasm. Various rituals progress of the entire human civilisation. during the Ratha Yatra like the µPahandi¶, References : Chherapamhara by the Gajapati Maharaja of

Puri, the stopping of the Lord¶s chariot enroute 1. Mohapatra Gopinath, Jagannath in History and at his aunt's place to partake his favourite rice Religious Tradition of Odisha, Punthi Pustak, cake (Podapitha) and quarrel between the Lord Calcutta, 1982. and Mahalaxmi when the Lord returns to the temple bear testimony to the humanisation of 2. Mohanty Surendra, Lord Jagannath, Sahitya Lord Jagannath. Akademi, Bhubaneswar.

From Cradle to Grave, Lord 3. Hunter, W.W., A History of Odisha. Jagannatha is the friend, philosopher and 4. Mansingh M., Saga of the Lord Jagannath, guide of Odias. He holds a unique place not Cuttack. only in the history of Odisha but also in the lives and culture of its people. On the 5. Kar, Bijyananda, ³Humanism in the Cut of auspicious occasion of marriage in the family Jagannath´, an article published in cult and the householder will never forget to invite Lord culture of Lord Jagannath´, Panda Daitari and Jagannath. He first of all sends an invitation to Panigrahi Sarat Chandra (Ed.) Cuttack, 1984. the Lord Jagannatha believing that He (Lord) will bless the young couple. Surendra Mohanty has rightly opined ´He may be Lord of Universe, N.B. : Reprinted from Orissa Review, July, 1996.

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