Orissa Review July - 2010 The Gajapati of Puri and Lord Jagannath Bhagaban Mahapatra The Jagannath temple of Puri is a famous Hindu popularity has centered in the heart of Hindus and temple. The name of Jagannath means the lord of foreigners alike. This spectacular festival includes the Universe. In Sanskrit ³JA´ represents a procession of deities known as Pahandi Bije to Jagannath, ³GA´ represents Balabhadra ³NA´ magnificently built wooden chariots. After this represents Subhadra, ³THA´ represents procession is over another fascination of car Sudarsana. So Jagannath means the union of all festival is Chhera Panhara means sweeping the four deities (chaturdha murti) of the Jagannath space around the chariot by the king of Puri. It is temple. His parallel hands invite devotees from an exciting scene for which devotees wait eagerly all over the world to embrace. His eyes are round despite the scorching heat or rain as the case may without eye lids which denote that for welfare of be that happen on that day. It is because Gajapati his devotees He remains awake throughout the of Puri is regarded as Vishnu and to witness the day and night. king along with Lord Jagannath on chariots is believed that all sins of a devotee are washed The temple is an important pilgrimage away. This Chhera Panhara is performed on two destination for many Hindus particularly occasions; once on the day of car festival and the worshipper of Krishna and Vishnu. It is a part of other on the day of return car festival when the Chardham pilgrimage that a Hindu has to visit at three chariots move to lion's gate after sojourn of least once in his life time. Lord Jagannath is deities at Gundicha temple. On these occasions worshipped as Vishnu, Krishna and Narayan and the Gajapati of Puri is brought to the chariot from simultaneously regarded as Bhairav with Vimala his royal palace in a palanquin to perform the installed in the campus of the temple. So we find duties of a sweeper. He holds a golden broom a fusion of Vaisnavism, Saivism and Shaktism of stick in his hand and other Sevayatas meant for Hindu religion alongwith Jainism and Buddhism this purpose remain present there to throw flowers in the culture of Lord Jagannath in Shrikhetra. on the space of the chariot for sweeping purpose by the king. Thereafter sandal paste water is The world famous Rath Yatra of Lord sprinkled to sanctify the space. This act signifies Jagannath is observed on the second day of bright that there is no distinction between the king and a fortnight of Asadha (June-July). It attracts pilgrims sweeper. This is the greatness of the culture of from all corners of the world. Its fame and Lord Jagannath. 24 Orissa Review July - 2010 The temple of Lord Jagannath that now possible precautions should be ensured to exists at Puri was constructed by king Ananta preserve the religious beliefs, without interfering Verman Chodagangadev in the l2th century A.D. on the activities of deities of the temple. The The management of the temple continued under control of the temple was handed over to Raja of the Hindu rulers till 1558 when it was conquered Puri. Since then he was respected both by law by the Afghan General of Bengal, Kalapahad. and customs to be regarded as the first and Chief Raja Mansingh, General of Mughal King Akbar Sevak of the Lord. As per Jagannath Temple Act, defeated the Afghans and annexed Orissa with 1952 the management of the temple was taken the Mughal empire. It remained under the Mughal over by the Government of Orissa but honour of and Raja of Khurda was then paying tribute to the Raja has been retained as Chief Sevak even Mughals till 1760. Marathas then took up the now. direct management of the temple till 1803 and thereafter the British came. The officer commanding the British troops was instructed by Bhagaban Mahapatra lives at Sri Gundicha Vihar, Lord Wellesley that on the occupation of Puri all Sarboday Nagar, Puri-752002. Oh, Lord Jagannath Bikram Keshari Barma Oh ! Lord Jagannath You are the Lord of the universe You are my soul and heart You have created the night and star You are my life You have created mountain, ocean and river You are my saviour You control planets You are every thing to me. You are simple and lovely inspite of that. You are very kind You are my father and mother You take care of man-kind You are my friend and brother You help the poor and downtrodden You are my guide and philosopher Really you are called the 'Patitapaban'. You bless me To work for the helpless and poor. When the ruler becomes tyrant The oppression raises its head You punish the wicked and save the world. You love your devotees You save them When they are in distress. Bikram Keshari Barma is the former MLA, Mahanga. 25.