Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669

ord Shri has for centuries has been Vaishnavism in a more glorious and scientific form. Lthe most popular God of Odisha and even The Lord was named as Purusottam and his place now. He remains a vital element in the religious was named as Purusottam Kshetra as before. life of the Indian people. , the holy city of Lord, is one of the four major centres of pilgrimage Sri Jagannath cult has kept his speciality (Dham) as Badrinath, Dwarakanath, Sri in the global culture. It is spostly mentioned in the Jagannath and Ramnath and established on history that time to time the temple was attacked Enviromental Science. The environment of the by various religions and different sects. But now Jagamohan of Sri Mandir was built on scientific it has been welbased on the Truth as Science is method. As the temple is established on scientific nothing but investigation of truth. There are so background, the uncounted pilgrime and devotees many scientific traditions in the regular rituals of come to the spot for their mental peace and to Lord, annual festivals and all the ethics of Sri give up their mental tension. In Odisha, Lord Jagannath receives the same devotion as Jagannath cult. All the scientific traditions inject

Technical Tradition in Shri Jagannath Cult

Dr. Ramakanta Kar

accorded to Vishnu from 10th Century. In 16th influence on the mind of human being of present Century A.D., Chaitanya came to Puri and the society. former king, Sri Prataprudra Dev was influenced by his Uddanda kirtan and accepted Sri As per the biological survey we know that Chaitanya as his Guru. He took Dikshya from the evolution of man is manifested in Darwin’s him and made the Sevakas, disciples of theory as Dasabatara (Ten incarnations) clearly Baishnava-sects in the temple. Lord Jagannath described in “Geetagovinda” written by Sri became identified as Krishna. The image of Lord ,. Sri Jayadeva has written this poem became Madanmohana or Sri Krishna. The taking the direct help of Lord Jagannath. So traditional Chandan Yatra, Janmastami, Geetagovinda song and Sri Jagannath both are Radhastami etc. rituals were celebrated from 16th interconnected. The nitis of Temple create Century A.D. in the Sri Mandir. Sri Krishna is cleanliness in the heart creating spiritual and sacred further adored as the seat of Vaishnavism. environment. This hygienic environment develops , the messiah of the fallen the physique, mind and spiritual tendency of the humanity, visited this place and embellished human being.

JUNE - 2017 139 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review

There is our old tradition that we should the mental tension and creates spiritual go to the temple of Lord Vishnu, Shiva or Shakti, consciousness. we must go with sacred mind in empty stomache, Sri Jagannath’s ayudha is Shankha and otherwise we earn sins. Fearing the sins, we Chakra. Shankha is the symbol of sound and maintain our regularity in Darshan. If regularly we Chakra is the symbol of wheel. Sound and wheel go to the Shiva Temple in empty stomache for his are the industrial character. So Sri Jagannath is darshan, we can get His Prasad: Belapatra, called as the deity of Industry. Sri Balabhadra may Paduka etc. These prevent the chest disease and be called as the deity of Agro-Industries. Maa cure constipation. If we go to the temple of Vishnu has already been imagined as Brahma or Sri Jagannath in empty stomache, we can get and She is the deity of Knowledge. Sri Sudarshan, His Prasad: arati, Tulasi, Paduka, Abakashajala the point of rays are reflected in the lense as a etc. These elements cure eosinophilia tendency, point. So Sri Sudarshan is the deity of real focus. cure thyroid defects, cold tendency and wash Devotees get emanicipation or salvation after away abdominal defects. Regular Darshan of Darshan of Lord Sudarshan the focus point of Lord gives us the hygienic values. If we go to the Chaturddhamurtty on Ratna Simhasan. Goddess Paduka or Abakasha Jala (The bathing temple, we can get both Prasad of Vishnu and water of Lord) cures chronic constipation of the Shiva. Lord Jagannath, Sri Balabhadra and Maa devotee who takes this water everyday regularly. Subhadra have been imagined as Vishnu, Shiva Neela Chakra on the top of the temple is fixed and Brahma or Shakti respectively. Maa Subhadra and it is made by Astadhatu and connected with is also called as Yogamaya. If we analyse the a long copper plate (earthing) from the top to earth. Bhoga Mandap, Mukti Mandap, Majana It saves the temple from the rain, thunder and Mandapa, Jalakrida Mandap, Snana Mandap, natural calamities etc. scientifically. Chahani Mandap, Nata Mandap, Jagamohana, The traditional rituals, Nitis and festivals Ananda Bazar, Kitchen Room, 22 steps, Lion's are based on nature and hygienic science and gate, Pillar of Aruna and Garuda of the temple of cover Yama and Niyama of the ethics of Yogic Lord Jagannath, these all are based on scientific science. hygienic and the original feelings of Truth. Garuda stambha is made with a root of Art and architecture of the Natamandapa a tree recognised by Ayurvedic Science. It is and Bhoga Mandap pour psychological and covered with a chemical solution. When a devotee spiritual influence in the minds of the devotees. touches his chest and hand, he feels well and his These architectures also create friction. We touch chest disease is cured. This also gives prevention the stone statues fixed on the wall and touch the of chest disease. The bathing water of Garuda feet of them, that touch creates static friction. washes away different fevers of the devotees. This When we go through their side, the fluid friction water also removes indigestion and dyspepsia. is created. As a result of which the nerves of the So the rituals, traditions, environment of body become active and the fluid friction washes Sri Jagannath Temple, and culture both are spostly away the weakness of the nerves. Jagamohana is based on technical traditions. a sacred environment where there is the creation of friendship and friendly connection among the devotees. The sacred connection creates national Dr. Ramakanta Kar, Editor, Yoga Pallava, Yoga Niketan, intergration. This environmental science removes Gudia Sahi, Puri-1

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