JAGANNATH DHAM – THE GATE TO HEAVEN

Along with Rath Yatra, there are so many festivals of Sri Jagannath during the year observed in Puri. Which are Snana Yatra, Netrotsava, Sayan Ekadasi, Chitalagi Amavasya, Srikrishna Janma, Dussehra, etc. But, the most important festivals are the World famous Rath Yatra (Car Festival) & Bahuda Yatra. A large crowd is gathered to witness Lord Jagannath during this festival. In the Rath Yatra or chariot festival, the three principal deities are pulled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars. Unlike the stone and metal icons found in most Hindu temples, the image of Jagannath is made of Neem wood and is ceremoniously replaced every twelve or nineteen years by an exact replica. If various legends are to be believed, King Indradyumn built this holy shrine after Lord Vishnu blessed and guided him in his dreams to find Nila Madhava. The temple is sacred to all Hindus and especially in those of the Vaishnava traditions.

Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and elder brother Balabhadra are a trio of deities worshiped at the temple. The inner sanctum of the temple contains statues of these three Gods carved from sacred neem logs known as ‘Daru’ sitting on the bejeweled pedestal called ‘Ratnabedi’ or ‘Ratna Simhasana’.

Jagannath temple in Puri is one of the four Dhams (i.e. Puri, Dwarika, Badrinath & Rameswar) in India. Jagannath Dham is for all who are yearning for a soul-searching experience. Well, believe it or not, I from the very beginning have a certain religious connection with Lord Jagannath. I’ve experienced his forms and blessings many a times in my unfinished life. Though, it is not just the religious fervour alone that lures me to Srimandir. The architecture, the history, the legends, the
myths, the traditions, and the quintessential ‘Indianness’ of this sacred shrine fascinates me to its core. Life is Jagannath and Jagannath is life as we say ‘ଜଗତ ର ନାଥ,ଆହେ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ’ in Odia.