Worship of Durgamadhab in the Grand Temple, Puri

Odisha Review October - 2015

Durgamadhab Dash

God is one. But He is adored and worshipped in God¶s Maya Shakti is also described as different names and forms. The believers of God the Adya-Shakti of the universe. In some places, hold the view that the different forms of God whom She is worshipped in the name of Jwalamukhi. people worship are but the symbolic expressions In other places, She is worshipped in the name of of different manifestations of the divine energy. Kanyakumari. She is also worshipped at some By His very divine nature, God is present places as Bimala and somewhere as Durga, everywhere. He knows everything. He is aware Bhairabi, Mangala and so on. All these divine of the past. He knows the future. He is all- forms are the expressions of one and the same powerful. So He is known as the omnipresent, Mayashakti of the Almighty Lord. For the sake omnipotent and omniscient Lord of the universe. of a uniform expression, this divine prowess is eulogized as the Adya Shakti of the divine God is also adored as Parabramha. He creation. is the supreme power of the universe. Within Him In Srikshetra Puri, the four armed Durga is present the mystic power known as Maya- is worshipped as Bimala Thakurani. She is also Shakti, the power of delusion. It is this divine adored and worshipped as Bhairabi. Lord force of the Lord that is ever vibrant. It is always Jagannath, the presiding deity of the Temple is agile in nature. This ³Shakti,´ in communion with known as Madhaba. He is adored as the moving God is the cause of all creations and all idol of Lord Jagannath. Sri Jagannath, is also destructions in the universe. It is said that the spirit divinely worshipped as Bhairaba. The worship of delusion makes God ever-expressive, flexible of Bhairabi and Bhairaba is observed in the Grand and peripatetic in every sphere of activity, both Temple. It is run through a periodic divine ritual. divine and undivine in nature. It is an illustrious divine practice.It is observed in The Maya Shakti is explained in the the Grand Temple in pomp and ceremony in the scriptures as the Devi Shakti of the Supreme month of Ashwin. Brahma. Worship of this Devi Shakti along with Scriptures say that worship of God is divinely portrayed as Durgamadhaba Durgamadhaba is as old as the inception of the Worship as prevalent in Srikshetra, Puri. In this Grand Temple. There is a beautiful story to divine practice, one worships both the µBrahma¶ substantiate this spiritual truth. The story runs as and His µMaya Shakti¶ together. follows.

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As we all know, it was during the time of practice according to which, Maa Durga i.e Bimala Maharaja Indradyumna that the Grand Temple who was the goddess of Galamadhab and Sri of Lord Jagannath was built in all its grandeur. Madhab, i.e Lord Jagannath who was the god of According to a spiritual exposition, after the Maharaja Indradyumna, shall both be worshipped Grand Temple was built, Maharaja Indradyumna as a divine ritual in the Grand Temple. This went to Brahmadeb to invite Him to earth for spiritual happening, is widely believed in Srikshetra consecration of the Temple. At that time, Puri as the background of the beginning of Brahmadev was engrossed in deep meditation. Durgamadhab worship in the Grand Temple.Thus As such, Maharaja Indradyumna had to wait at this practice has been in vogue since the inception Brahmalok till the completion of Brahma¶s of the temple. meditation. In the matter of calculation, one day There is another popular belief that,after in Brahmalok is equal to several thousand years dissipation of the religious differences between on earth. In that way, when the Lord¶s meditation the Shaktas and the Vaishnavites, the sacred was over for the day, several years had elapsed practice of Durgamadhab worship had first begun on earth. During the said period, the Temple, in Srikhetra Puri. The Grand Temple was the built by Maharaja Indradyumna had been covered illustrious religious alter from where this inviolable with sand and slipped deep in to earth. As time Vaishnavite cum Sakta religious systemization had passed by, a king known as Galamadhab had sprung up bringing to the religious front a come to power on earth. He was a very powerful re-designed mode of worship and this had come king. While he was moving along the region where upleading to a new religious culture in Odisha the temple had been built, the hoof of his horse which was accepted by both the Vaishnavites and struck the pinnacle of the Temple. King the Saktas in the ultimate run of events. Galamadhab immediately got down and ordered for excavation of the holy structure and at last, On the northern side of the Bhog Mandap the temple of the Lord was discovered. He also in the Grand Temple, two idols, the idols of Sri discovered installation of goddess Bimala whom Madhab and Maa Bhairabi, have been nicely he worshipped for divine benediction in Tantric carved on a piece of stone bearing testimony to procedure. While so, Maharaja Indradyumna the fact that at one point of time in the past, both with Lord Brahma appeared at the temple site on Sri Madhab and Maa Bhairabi were being earth and stated that it was he who had built the worshipped together in the Grand Temple and temple, and accordingly he established his right that was actually the beginning of Durgamadhab over the shrine and claimed the same from the worship which has now become very popular as imperial control of king Galamadhaba. The a religious ritual in Odisha. occurrence that next followed was a sort There is another proof of this religious altercation between the two kings.At last, with practice. This has reference to the Durgamadhab the intervention of Lord Brahma, there was an temple. On the south western corner of the amicable settlement of the matter between the two Baharbedha of Srimandir, there is a temple known kings.It was in the presence of Lord Brahma that as Durgamadhab temple which substantiates the the difference was amicably, settled and it was fact that Durgamadhab worship was very much decided following the amicable settlement that in in vogue among the inhabitants of Puri in the good Srikshetra Puri, there shall be in vogue a religious old days.

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We have yet another specimen of Galamadhaba Peetha. Even today, it bears an historical corroboration on this score. important reference in all postal communications. The fact is that, when king Galamadhaba Briefly stated, this is the history of the beginning took possession of the Temple during Maharaja of Durgamadhab worship in Srikshetra Puri. This Indradyumna¶s trip to Brahmalok to invite Brahma is said to be the most illustrious religious practice for consecration of the Temple, he had developed of Utkal Pradesh. This is not in vogue in other a chunk of land in the Temple area at Puri to Temples of our country. The practice of provide accommodation to the Sebayats Durgamadhab worship has become so popular belonging to the Tantric mode of worship. in Odisha that in all social functions of an Odia- Galamadhaba was a staunch follower of the household, the µPattachitra¶ of Durgamadhaba is Shakti cult. Maa Bimala, the principal goddess first established on the religious alter and their of the Grand Temple, was his most loved divine worship is next done before the formalities of the spirit. The king had provided living social ritual are actually begun. accommodation to the Sebayats of the goddess It is further believed that on the day of at that place now known as Harachandi Sahi Dussehra, a full view of Durga and Madhab is which presently extends from Manikarnika to considered most auspicious, as the scriptures say, Jambeswar Temple. Thus the inception of this gives the devotee all prosperity and victory in Harachandi Sahi is as old as the inception of the life. It fulfills the desires of the devotee and purveys Grand Temple in Srikshetra Puri. Necessarily the overall happiness in life. This is the worth and Sabayats provided with living accommodation excellence of Durgamadhab worship as observed here were the Shaktas in their religious faith. in all auspicious functions in Odisha. When Indradyumna appeared on the As regards the procedure being followed scene with Lord Brahma for consecration of the in Durgamadhab worship, it is said that Maa Temple, he had with him his own group of Bimala, the presiding goddess of Sri Mandir, Puri, Sebayats and they were Vaishnavites in their is adored as the Adishakti of the universe. The religious profession.The Sebayats of the consecration of Bimala Thakurani as the principal Indradyumna-group had also been provided with goddess of the Grand Temple has a ³puranic´ housing accommodation at the above place story. following his compromise with Galamadhaba. Once Daksha Prajapati was holding a Thus seen, at a particular point of time Mahayajna in his kingdom. He was terribly averse when the composite mode of worship had come to Sankar Mahadev. In relationship, Sankar into practice, Durgamadhab worship had been Mahadev had married Sati and that way, he was introduced in the Temple and both the groups of the son-in-law of Daksha Prajapati. On the Sebayats had been provided with housing occasion of the celebration of the Mahayajna, accommodation at the said place.Combining the Daksha Prajapati had invited all gods to his palace elements Shakti cult and Vaishnavism, the concept but not Sankara Mahadev out of avowed of God as worshipped in the Grand Temple was derision. Even, Sati, his daughter, had not been better understood through one culture i.e invited to the function. After all Sati was the most Jagannath culture. Be it stated here that a small lovable daughter of Daksha Prajapati. Sati in her portion of this street is still known as mind had wished to attend her father¶s function.

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And, she attended the Yajna of her father despite of Ashwin. This celebration is known as Sola Mahadeb¶s reluctance. She had been to her Puja. This is also known as µSakta Gundicha¶ or father¶s palace on her own but being intolerant µSaradiya Ratha Yatra¶ in the Grand Temple. This owing to her father¶s disrespectable behavior, she has its significance marked with the ritual of jumped into the fire of the Yajna-Kund and lost Durgamadhab worship that is religiously her life. All present at Daksha¶s palace were connected to a definite procedure. greatly shocked and surprised. Many among them As per the ritualistic practice of the counted danger. After all Sati was the consort of worship as observed in the Grand Temple, Maa Sri Mahadev. There was going to be a big Bimala is adulated with reverence during the catastrophe in the religious celebration for that Durgapuja function which is observed in pomp purpose. Although Sati lost her life, she was half- and ceremony in the month of Ashwin. On the burnt in the fire. Sankar Mahadev was in Ashwin Sukla Astami day, the moving idol of Maa meditation at that time. He got the information of Durga, after the morning oblation of the Lord, is the appalling occurrence through his divine placed on the divine alter of Majana Mandap. perception. Restless and fidgety in his behavior, After the µAjna mala¶ of Lord Jagannath is he hurried to the spot where Sati had jumped into bestowed on the idol of Maa Durga, the goddess fire. Sankar Mahadev took out her half-burnt takes the divine ablution with 108 brass pots of body from the Yajna-fire and raising it on his hands, water in Bana Durga mantra. This is known as resorted to cosmic Tandab. Seeing the unusual ³Sahasra Kumbhaviseka´ The servitors then continuity of the dance which would have caused conduct the Puja ritual in the usual way and after a dreadful havoc on the creation, Sri Narayan the divine oblation which next follows, the idol of with the help of His divine disk, blew out Sati¶s Maa Durga is taken to the door-step of Bhandara half-burnt body from Mahadev¶s hands. The body Ghar. Next, the Daru Bigraha of Sri Madhab is was divinely lacerated into pieces. After the brought from the Ratnasinghasan and He is placed above divine sport of Sri Narayan, Sri Mahadev by the side of Maa Durga on a divine pedestal was brought back to his normal form and finally and after that, the two deities known as he was calmed down by Sri Narayan. In the Durgamadhab are taken to the divine alter of the process of the divine laceration, one piece of Sati¶s sanctum sanctorum. Next Maa Durga receives body had fallen at Srikshetra Puri in Utkal Pradesh the Ajna Mala of Maa Subhadra and Sri Madhaba and Maa Bimala was the resultant-effect of the receives the Ajana Mala of Lord Jagannath.And aforesaid divine sport. Maa Bimala has therefore thereafter, the deities are taken to Jhulana Mandap a special place in the Grand Temple. Her mode in a special palanquin and there, they are placed of worship is entirely different from that of the at one place for the µDarshan¶ of the devotees. other goddesses of the Temple. The Bhog of the After sometime, the deities, Durga and Lord becomes Mahaprasad when it is offered to Madhab are taken to the µJagamohan¶ of Maa Goddess Bimala. This way, Durgamadhab Bimala¶s temple. All these rituals are observed in worship as celebrated in the Temple is linked to consonance with the prevailing religious the shrine of Maa Bimala and this is the divine procedure. Here, µBhog¶is offered to the two sanctity of Durgamadhab worship. deities and the deities are also worshipped here Durgamadhab worship is observed in the on a specially arranged platform in the Grand Temple for a period of Sixteen days i.e µJagamohan¶ of Maa Bimala¶s temple. And after from Krishna Astami to Sukla Nabani in the month completion of the oblation as required at this

14 Odisha Review October - 2015 moment, the deities are taken to a place in the woman-devotee is allowed to have the µDarshan¶ Grand Temple, known as Mahajana Bhandara. of Maa Bimala. This way the ritual is daily observed for a period It is said in this connection that if any of eight days in the first phase of the ritualistic devotee has a vow in mind to offer animals in operation beginning from Krusnastami in the sacrifice in the Grand Temple on the aforesaid month of Ashwin. days, he or she can have it in a ritualistic way in In the second phase of the next eight days front of the divine platform of goddess Kakudikhai i.e from Sukla Pratipada to Astami, the idols of outside the Grand Temple. The premises of the Durga and Madhab are taken together in a chariot Grand Temple are finally cleaned and sanctified to the Narayan Temple in Dolamandapa Street after the ritual of µChandanlagi¶ of Lord Jagannath and all the Nities,as observed in Bimala Temple, is completed on the Mahanabami day. are observed here in a ceremonious way. This Maa Bimala is a µParambaishnabi ritual is observed everyday for a period of all the Thakurani¶. In the normal course of worship, She eight days in the second phase of the Sola-Puja is not to be offered µBhog¶with non-vegetarian ritual. After completion of the Sola Puja ritual, recipes. Yet on the days of Saptami, Astami and the Idols are finally taken to the Temple. And Maa Nabami, there is a deviation in the normal Durga finds Her presence in Bhandar Ghar and practice.There is animal sacrifice in the Grand Sri Madhab finds His presence on the left side of Temple and Maa Bimala is offered non vegetarian Sri Jagannath on the Ratnasimhasan. Prasad. As the Pundits say, this deviation is done following the religious amalgam of the Vaishnavite In a nutshell, this is the mode of and the Shakti cults in the matter of worship as Durgamadhab worship as observed in the Grand observed in the month of Ashwin. Temple. According to the religious customs of the Temple, this is known as µSakta Gundicha¶. During the period of the Sixteen days as aforesaid, goddess Bimala is attired in the robes On the days of Saptami, Astami and of different goddesses like Bhubaneswari, Nabami in the month of Ashwin, animal sacrifice Banadurga, Rajarajeswari, Ugratara, Matangini, is offered to Maa Bimala at the rate of two animals Bagala, Narayani, Singhabahini, Jayadurga, everyday on the Bakula Pindi near Her temple. A Suladurga and Harachandi. temporary Kitchen is also constructed on the southern side of the wall situated near Bimala It is said in the scriptures that he who worships Durga Madhab is sure to gain happiness, Temple. On these three days, a special Bhog is peace and prosperity in life. Thus the worship of offered to Bimala Thakurani in response to the Durgamadhaba has a unique place in the cult of customary religious requirements. On the nights Lord Jagannath. This is the amalgam of Sakta and of these three days, non-vegetarian Prasad along Vaishnab modes of worship. This practice is with fish curry is cooked in the temporary kitchen followed in every Hindu household in Utkal and taken to the temple of Maa Bimala and Pradesh. Moreso, this mode of worship is offered to the goddess. This practice is performed observed in all auspicious functions in the Hindu after the divine slumber of Lord Jagannath and in family. the absence of the idols of Durgamadhab. The passage leading to Bimala Temple is next washed and sanctified with water. During the celebration Durgamadhab Dash, House No-138, Ananta Vihar, of Sola Puja in the temple of the goddess, no Phase-II, Pokhariput, Bhubaneswar.