Orissa Review June - 2009 Tantricism in the Cult of Lord Jagannath Dr. Sidhartha Kanungo The cult of Jagannath is not a sectarian religion, Yantras play an important role in tantricism. but a cosmopolitan and eclectic philosophy. In Various Yantras have been engraved on the course of time, the cult of Jagannath took an Ratnasimhasan on which Lord Jagannath, Lord Aryanised form and various major faiths like Balbhadra and Devi Subhadra are worshipped. Saivism, Saktism, Vaishnavism, Tantricism, In the daily worship of Lord and also at the time Jainism and Buddhism have of Darupratistha (installation been assimilated into this cult. of new image), representation Whatever may be the origin of Sri Yantra, Bhubaneswari, of this cult, it has been Yantra and various Mandalas admitted both by the scholars are also noticed. Jagannath is belonging to different worshipped as Krushna- religious traditions and faiths Basudev. But due to the that this culture is centre influence of Tantricism, around which in course of Jagannath is perceived as time divergent currents and 'Dakshin Kali', Balabhadra as cross currents have revoked. 'Jyotirmayeem Tara' and Devi However, this paper Subhadra as 'Adyasakti makes an attempt to analyse Bhubaneswari'. the influence of Trantricism on It is known from the cult of Lord Jagannath. different tantric texts that Tantricism in a number of ways influences Orissa as well as Puri, which Jagannath cult. Jagannath is worshipped as God is otherwise known as 'Srikshetra', is a great of Tantra. We notice various Nyasas such as tantric pitha or place. After the death of Sati in Sadanga-nyasa, Kasbadi-nyasa, Matrkanyasa, 'Dakshya Yanga'. Lord Shiva became angry and Sodha-nyasa and Mahasodha-nyasa in the daily danced(which is known as Tandav Nrutya along mode of worship of Lord Jagannath. These bear with the dead body of Sati. Different parts of Her testimony to the influence of tantricism on the cult body fell on sixty-four different places of the of Lord Jagannath. Universe. And this is the mythology or story behind the creation of sixty-four Saktipithas. However, 63 Orissa Review June - 2009 'Kalika Purana' describes the four important sacrifice is made during the Mahaastami. This is Saktipitha and Orissa is one of them. known as 'Bamachar Paddhati'. Let us come to see another aspect of the The famous Car Festival of Lord Jagannath influence of tantricism on the cult of Lord is held in the month of Asadha. This Car Festival Jagannath. God's offering which is known as is also known as 'Nabadina Yatra' according to Mahaprasad is associated with tantricism. Prasad trantric Philosophy this 'nine' number is very of Jagannath when reoffered to Vimala becomes auspicious. Moreover, Sudarshan' or Bajra is Mahaprasad. Vimala has been described as kept in the Chariot of Devi Subhadra. This is 'Bhairavi' in different tantric texts. nothing but the influence of Bajrajana sect of Moreover, 'Panchasakha'(five friends)- Buddhism. Balaram, Ananta, Yasobanta, Achyuta and It is a fact that 'Sabar Tantra', 'Buddha Jagannath were Vaishnavas. But we find the Tantra' and 'Hindu Tantra' have influenced description of Yantra, Mantra and Tantra in the Jagannath Cult to a great extent. He is worshipped vast literature composed by them. According to as 'Sabari Narayan', 'Buddha' and Jagannath, 'Panchasakha' Jagannath is both Saguna and according to 'Sabar Tantra', 'Buddha 'Tantra' and Nirguna Brahma. Yantra, Mantra and Tantra are 'Hindu Tantra' respectively, Vimala is the goddess nothing but Saguna Sadhana. According to them, of 'Buddha Tantra'. Jagannath is perceived as one can realize God in his own body by both 'Bhairav' and Vimala as 'Bhairavi'. Saguna Sadhana and Nirguna Sadhana. No body can deny the influence of We notice, Tantric Panchamakara in the tranticism in the temple of Lord Jagannath. But it worship of Lord Jagannath which deserve special is very difficult to say which trantra has influenced mention. Here fish is substituted by green Jagannath Cult the most. vegetables mixed with Hingu, meat by Adapachedi(ginger), wine by green coconut water offered in bell metal pots and Maithuna by the dance of Devadasi. The trantic way of worship is Dr. Sidhartha Kanungo lives at Chaitanya Dham, Sabar also seen in the Temple of Vimala where animal Sahi Lane, Bhubaneswar-751006 64.