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| 1892 View from the east towards the Jagannatha Temple, Puri, with the bazaar in the foreground |
Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri, Orissa, India, temple is built on a gigantic
raised platform in the heart of the city, The temple complex is enclosed by a
wall about seven meters high -including the height of the platform. The area of
this platform is more than 4,20,000 sq.ft. The wall is pierced by four gates
,facing the four directions. On the east-facing gate, there are stone images of
two lions and it is called the Lions Gate. The north, south and west facing gates are similarly known as the
Elephant Gate, the Horse Gate and the Tiger Gate (also called the Khanja Gate)
respectively. The north gate is mainly meant for the God himself in as much as,
the logs of wood out of which, the images are fabricated, make their entry into
the temple premises through this gate, when the Navakelevara ceremony takes
place. The east-facing Lions Gate is the main gate. There are pyramidal structures
over the four gates, which are not very old.
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| Close view of sculpture panels and mouldings in right half of east façade of the refectory of the Jagannatha Temple, Puri |
As we arrive at the vast open area in front of the Lions Gate (eastern
gate), we see a monolithic pillar about 10 meters high. This pillar is known
locally as the Aruna Stambha. In Hindu mythology Aruna is the the charioteer of
the Sun-god, The world famous Konarka temple was designed in the form of a stupendous
chariot and this monolithic pillar with the beautifully carved Aruna seated on
its top was installed right in front of the porch of that temple. When the
temple was abandoned and there was no presiding deity in it, this pillar was
removed from Konarka to Puri and was fixed in front of Jagannatha temple where
we see it now.
Immediately after we get into the
main gate and proceed forward, we find ourselves on a flight of steps. Locally,
they are called Baisi Pahaca, which literally means, twenty-two steps. The history
or rather the mystery of this flight of steps has not been unveiled. It is
interesting to note that great reverence is shown to this flight of twenty-two
steps. The parents bring their children & make them slowly roll over the steps
from the top to the bottom ones in expectation of spiritual bliss in as much as
countless devotees have walked on the steps which are believed to be throbbing
with spiritual animation.
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| Close view of the inner gateway of the Jagannatha Temple, Puri |
As we cross the main entrance on the east and ascend the flight of steps
leading to the main temple, we find on the left-hand side, a vast kitchen area
of the temple. Some tourists rightly observe that on account of this kitchen,
the Puri temple may be described as the biggest hotel of the world. It can feed
even one lakh persons with only two to three hours' notice. The method of preparation
is most hygienic and the traditional process of preparation of food for so many
people in so short a time, takes many by surprise. To the right, we have the
Ananda Bajara which is the popular name of the food selling market within the
enclosure. Ananda Bajara literally means, the pleasure market.
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| Close view of the Lion Gate and Aruna-stambha of the Jagannatha Temple, Puri 1892 |
At the end of the steps, we are to cross another gate-way that pierces a
second compound wall and then we are to turn to the left to proceed to the
Ganesa temple. There are beautiful carvings on the sides of this entrance of
the second or inner compound wall. As we
cross the gate-way, we see immediately before us, the first section of the
Jagannatha temple. It is called the Bhoga Mandapa (Refectory). The ether
sections that are located to its west contiguously are, the Nata Mandira, the
Mukhasala and the Bada Deula. On tile body of the gigantic Bhoga Mandapa, there
are many pieces of sculptures that depict interesting stories from the
mythological & historical works and they are highly appreciated by the
art-critics and the pilgrims 7. There are about 30 temples around the main
temple and according to the established practice, a pilgrim has to go round the main temple in a process of
circumambulation. If somebody wants to see the main temple within a very short
time, he may visit at least three of the most important temples before seeing
Jagannatha. They are (i) The Ganesa temple at the foot of the Kalpavata, a very
old banyan tree (ii) The Vimala temple and (iii) The Laxmi temple.
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| Entrance to the Jagannatha Temple, Puri |
The kalpavata is a very old banyan tree which is believed to be there
ever since the installation of Jagannatha. In Hindu mythology, there is the
description of a heavenly tree known as Kalpavata, which is believed to fulfill
the desires of persons seeking mercy. Keeping the name of that celestial tree
in view, this banyan tree has been named as such. The name, therefore, connotes
that this tree is capable of fulfilling the ungratified desire of human beings.
Pilgrims are required to stand at the foot of the tree for a minute or two to
communicate their desire in mute voice to the Kalpavata.
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| General view from the south-east of the Jagannatha Temple, Puri 1892 |
At the foot of this tree, there is the Ganesa temple. Ganesa being the
god who destroys all obstacles, a visit to this temple is considered absolutely
necessary. The figure of the mouse( the mount deity or the vehicle of Ganesa)
installed in front of the deity is a very interesting object. Millions of hands
have passed over it is as almost every pilgrim touches it, but the hair like
thorny projections found on its body have hot been rendered blunt. From there,
as we move towards the Vimala temple, we see to our left a raised platform with
a roof above it. It is the famous Muktimandapa, the seat for the most learned
scholars of Orissa. honored by the rulers of the State in a traditional manner. On important
controversial issues pertaining to the rituals of the temple and to Hindu
religious rites, practices and customs, references are made to this association
of Pandits for a final decision.
.jpg "Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri, Orissa, India") |
| Minor temples at south side of Jagannatha Temple complex, Puri(1890) |
The Vimala temple is one of the most important centers of the Sakti
worship of India. The famous sixteen days period of Durga Puja takes place here
every year in the prescribed manner. This temple plays a very important role in
giving extraordinary religious and spiritual sanctity to the food offered to
Jagannatha. The food is called simply Prasada when it is offered to Jagannatha,
hut after certain religious rites performed in the Vimala temple, this very
Prasada becomes Mahaprasada. From there, we may visit the Laksmi temple. Oh our
way to the Laksmi temple, we may see to our left a small replica of the sanctum
of the main temple. It. is believed to be the model after which the main temple
was built. We may also see the temple of Sarasvati and Bhubanesvari to our
left. Finally, when we enter into the sanctum of the Laksmi temple, we see by
the left side of the door-way, an image of Nrsimha with Sankaracarya standing
at the feet of the god with his danda (bamboo stick which is held by the
mendicants of the Sankara order). It is believed that the Sankata Nasana
Laksmi-Nrsimha Stotra was written here by Sankara when he was in Puri.
Laksmi is the female
counter-part of Jagannatha.
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| Southern façade of the Jagannatha Temple, Puri 1892 |
From the Laksmi temple, we are to proceed towards the main temple and
enter into the Nata Mandira through its north-facing entrance. As we start from
the Laksmi temple towards it, we may visit a temple known as the Suryanarayana
Mandira, where there is a deformed image placed behind the presiding deity in
the sanctum sanctorum. It is strongly believed that this was the image of the
Sun -god worshipped in the main temple at Konarka, which was removed to this place
before that temple collapsed.
.jpg "Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri, Orissa, India") |
| View of the Dol-Mandapa, Puri from outside the exterior wall (1890) |
After entering into the Nata Mandira, we are to stand behind a monolithic
pillar, about 10 feet high, at the top of which there is an image of Garuda,
the mount of Visnu. Generally, visitors touch the pillar with both their hands
and through centuries of such touches, the middle portion of it has become
thinner. The Nata Mandira is a long spacious hall decorated with the paintings and
models of the most popular and didactic stories of the Hindu Puranic works,
pertaining to the graceful deeds of Visnu and Krisna. From there, we proceed to
the Mukhasala or the porch. The carvings on both the sides of the door- frame
made of stone would remind us of the similar carvings on the corresponding
door-frames of the Konarka temple.
+of+the+Jagannatha+Temple,+Puri,+Orissa(1870).jpg "Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri, Orissa, India") |
| The Lion Gateway (Singha Dwara) of the Jagannatha Temple, Puri, Orissa(1870) |
From the porch, we move to the sanctum sanctorum. Many a time, when
particular religious rites are in progress, we are advised to take a view of
the deities from the porch and not to insist on immediate admittance into the
sanctum. At other times, we are allowed to go into the sanctum, see the deities
and are also allowed to go round the deities through a narrow passage behind
the raised platform called Ratnavedi, on which the deities are seated. Finally,
when we come out of the temple, we may like to see the Ananda Bajar where
people would be busy in purchasing the Mahaprasada. Very close to the Ananda Bajar is the Snana Vedi located in the
north-eastern corner in between the outer wall and the inner wall.
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| Mool virat |
The dias is
about 30 feet high from the ground level. The bathing ceremony of the wooden
deities takes place here. From here, the visitors come to the Baisi Pahaca for
their final exit. It has already been said that there are about thirty temples inside the
enclosure of the Puri temple. Earlier, it has also been said that those who
have not much time at their disposal may see only three out of many temples and
then finally have a darsan (view) of Jagannatha.
The following is a list of the
other worth - mentioning temples in the temple premises.
- Bisvanatha temple,
- Agneyesvara temple
- Satyanarayana temple,
- Kalpa Ganesa temple,
- Sarbamangala temple,
- Panca Pandava temples, (Note - It has been described in the Oriya Mahabharata written by Sarala Dasa in 15th century, that the Pandavas visited this place.);
- Ananta Vasudeva temple,
- Mahavajresvari temple,
- Kutam Chandi temple, (Note - It is said, originally the image of a dog, that is now found here was in the sanctum sanctorum of the main temple.
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| Temple in Ratha yatra |
According to Tantric worship, when the goddess Bhairavi is invoked; food
is offered to her and later a part of it is given to a dog. But at some time in
history, when Vaisnavism dominated, this image of the dog was removed there
from and brought over here. The Tantrics say that Jagannatha in the Puri temple
is not Visnu or Narayana or Krisna. Instead, he is Bhairava, an expression of
Siva and Vimala in the Puri temple premises is no other than Bhairavi),
- Surya Yantra temple,
- Ksetrapala temple,
- Nrsimha temple,
- Jalakrida Mandapa, (Note- All ceremonial baths of the deities are held here.),
- Jogesvara temple, Saksigopala temple,
- Kanci Ganesa temple,
- Khira Choragopinatha temple,
- Panchasakti temple,
- Nila Madhava temple,
- Laksminarayana temple,
- Navagraha temple,
- Sarya Candra temple,
- Goplnatha and Ramcandra temple,
- Patalesvara temple,
- Padapadma temple,
- Ramacandra temple,
- Caitanya temple,
- Hanuman temple,
- Caturdhama temple, (Note - This Caturdhama temple houses the four deities worshipped in the four dhamas of India and the images are in a miniature form.)
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| Rath Yara Festival in Puri Temple |
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throw a link somewhere back to ttp://vedictemplesin.blogspot.com? Pretty
please? Thanks
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