Puri Parikrama: Lore & Legends of Jagannath Temple
‘Rahashya Purushottamasya Debah Na Jananti Kutah Manushyaha’ (The mystery of the Supreme Lord remains unknown even to Gods, let alone mere mortals!). Indeed, an aura of spiritual mystery surrounds the Jagannath shrine in Puri, leaving researchers both baffled and fascinated through the ages. In a curtain raiser to Rath Yatra, MCL takes you on a tour of Sri Khetra with some unique facts and stories of the world famous temple
Baisi Pahacha: 22 Steps to Salvation
There are 22 steps that lead to the inner premises(Bhitara Bedha) of the temple complex. It’s said that each stone is associated with a Goddess —Maya, Chetana, Buddhi, Nidra, Khyudha, Chhaya, Trushna, Khyanti, Jati, Lazza, Shanti, Kanti, Bruti, Smruti, Daya, Trusti, Bikri, Matru, Bhranti, and Pragya. The legend goes that once upon a time, King Bhanudeba ruled Puri. He was childless and prayed to Jambeswar (Shiva) for a son. The Lord granted his wish, but the priests predicted that the newborn prince would only live for 22 years. The king again prayed to Jambeswar,who ordained the king to build the 22 steps. Upon their completion, the king rolled his son on the steps and the prince lived a long life, becoming a benevolent ruler like his father. The tradition has continued to this day. Parents let their children roll on the steps in the belief that doing so will make them strong and healthy.
Jamasila: It is a black hued stone engraved on the 3rd step of Baisi Pahacha. A devotee must step on it while going in. In doing so, it’s believed, the devotee is freed from all wrongdoings and escapes being punished by Jama(the God of death) in the afterlife. While coming out of the temple, however, one should avoid stepping on Jamasila as it robs one of all the benefits of DevaDarshana.
(2).jpg)
Kalpa Bata: Wish Fulfilling Tree
Kalpa Bata, or the wish fulfilling banyan tree, is one of the most revered trees in Odisha. It stands near Mukti Mandapa, to the north of Hari Sahadeva and to the west of Satya Narayan. Kalpa Bata is part of a group of divine banyan trees, with the others being Devanashan Bata, Akshya Bata, Banchha Bata and Vanshi Bata.
According to the Puranas, when the entire earth sank under water during the great deluge (Mahapralaya), Kalpa Bata kept standing as before. Maharshi Markandeya, the immortal sage, worshipped and prayed to Vishnu reposing on a single leaf of the divine banyan tree. Besides, Nitya Karma Paddhati describes Kalpa Bata to be imbued with the spiritual aura of Vishnu.
Every year, Kartika Shukla Trayodashi (13th day of the full moon) is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Kalpa Bata. During NiladriBije, it is worshipped first and then Lord Jagannath enters his temple.
Rohini Kunda &Bhusanda Kaka: Magical Water
Located in front of the Bimala temple on the Bhitara Bedha premises, the water of Rohini Kunda is considered holy with magical properties. According to ancient scriptures, the surge of water from Rohini Kunda triggered the great deluge. After the great flood, the remaining water again entered the Kunda and vanished. Today, priests sprinkle droplets of this holy water on devotees in a ritual called Karana Baari.
Another lore goes that Bhusanda Kaka, a crow, once fell into Rohini Kunda and turned into a supernatural being with four arms, holding the traditional symbols of Vishnu —Sankha (conch), Chakra(discus), Gadaa(mace) and Padma (lotus flower). The transformed crow was wise beyond imagination and could see the past, present and future. It is said that Bhusanda Kaka had recited the Ramayana even before Valmiki started writing it.
Chahani Mandapa: First Glimpse
Literally,‘Chahani’ means a glimpse in Odia. It is revered as the place from where Goddess Laxmi got her first glimpse of the Lord and the chariots as they arrived at Srinaharaon Bahuda Dashami. In keeping with tradition, the deity is decked in royal attire and taken to the Nandighosa Chariot in a grand procession.There, the dutiful daitapatis present her with an attractive garland taken from the body of Lord Jagannath. The Gajapati himself is present to honour the deities. Dadhipatti Mohani, a special ‘prasad’, is offered on the occasion.
Bhanda Ganesha: History Divided
The idol of Bhanda Ganesha is certainly unique in that it depicts the elephant-headed God sitting with a nude female consort (Bighneswari) in an erotic pose. Besides its unique motif, the idol has divided historians over its place of origin. Some believe the Bhanda Ganeshaidol was brought from Karnataka and installed in the Puri temple during 15th century AD. However, others argue that Kapilendra Deva had brought it after his south India conquest, while some suggest that Purusottama Deva had brought the idol as booty after winning a war against Kanchi.
It is the patron deity of the Uchchhishta Ganapatya sect, one of the six major Ganapatya schools. Also known as Uchchhishta Ganapati, Gaura Ganesha or Kamada Ganapati, Bhanda Ganesha was originally worshipped as a tantric deity.
Kuttam Chandi: Tantric Link
Like Bhanda Ganesha, the Kuttam Chandi idol too indicates a strong link between the Jagannath cult and tantric practices. Installed in the Khetrapala temple,the idol depicts the body of a dog with the head of a human, much like the legendary Sphinx in Egypt.
In Shakti cult, the prasad is first offered to Mother Bhairavi and then to a dog. This is because Shaktas believe that the Goddess assumed the form of dog with a human body. There is a similarity in the Jagannath temple rituals with the cooked food being offered to Goddess Bimala after Lord Jagannath, and only then it becomes Anna Brahma, the Mahaprasad. Bimala is revered as the Bhairavi of Srikhetra and Jagannath is worshipped as Bhairav.
Some believe that once upon a time, the idol of Kuttam Chandi was installed alongside Chaturdhamurti on the special Ratna Singhasan.During the Maratha reign in Odisha, there was strong rivalry between the Vaishnava and the Tantricsects. History goes that Vaishnav vandalised this idol and removed it from Ratna Singhasana. A case was filed in the Maratha court,which ordered the installationof a new idol. Following stiff opposition from Vaishnavas against its restoration to its original position, the newlyconstructed idol was installed on the east wall of Khetrapala temple.
Another version says that once upon a time,stray dogs used to create nuisance on the temple premises. A famous tantric from Ujjaini established the idol of Kuttam Chandi to prevent this menace. Since then, no dog has been seen entering the temple.
Rasagola: Offering of Love
Embroiled in a recent bitterness between two neighbouring states, Rasagolais not just a sweet, but an emotional issue for us Odias. According to various sources, Rasagola has been used as a special prasad in the Jagannath temple since thepast 500 years.
Like Rasagola itself, the story of its origin is sweet as well. Lord Jagannath gave it to Goddess Mahalaxmi, who had a weakness for Chhena (cottage cheese), as a peace offering to soothe her anger and allow him to enter the temple after his return from Gundicha.
In keeping with tradition, after Rukmini Harana and Mahalaxmi marriage ceremony, Snana Purnami rituals are observed in the temple. After the ritualistic bathing, the deities are said to suffer from fever. Following their recoveryand NabaJaubanadarshana, the deities are taken to the Gundicha temple for the nine-day long Ghosa Yatra. In the meantime, the newlywed Mahalaxmi feels neglected and gets angry. She visits the chariots and even breaks part of the Nandighosha in anger.
When the deities finally return to the Puri temple after completion of Rath Yatra, the angry Mahalaxmi closes the door and forbids them to enter. Lord Jagannath cajoles her with Rasagola and the by now placated wife allows her husband to enter his abode. The sacred ritual of Gainthala Fita, which is supposed to take place immediately after marriage, is observed then.