Shri Jagannath is a major deity of Hinduism, who is considered a form of Lord Vishnu. He is mainly worshipped in the famous Jagannath temple located in Puri, Odisha state. Along with Shri Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra are also revered in this temple. This temple is one of the four Dhams of Hinduism and the annual Rath Yatra festival here is especially famous. Shri Jagannath is considered to be a form of Lord Krishna.
The idol of Shri Jagannath is slightly different from the idols of other Hindu deities. His idol is made of wood and after every twelve years it is replaced under a process called Navkalevara. In this process, new idols are made from a special type of neem wood.
The word Jagannath means "Lord of the world" (Jag = world, Nath = lord). Lord Jagannath is known for his compassion and love towards devotees. In the Rath Yatra of Puri, Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken around the city on huge chariots. Millions of devotees participate in this festival and it is celebrated with great pomp and show.
Importance of Shri Jagannath
Incarnation of Lord Vishnu:
Shri Jagannath is worshipped as Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna. He is considered as the preserver of the universe and protector of devotees. His devotees consider him as the epitome of love and devotion.
Symbol of Universality:
Shri Jagannath is seen as the universal deity, who is equal to all castes, religions, and classes. He is worshipped without any discrimination, and the doors of his temple are open to all. The shape and form of his idol is also different from other deities, which shows his uniqueness.
Devotion and Love:
Lord Jagannath is the epitome of love, compassion, and devotion for the devotees. His worship and his leela create immense love and reverence in the hearts of devotees. Especially for Vaishnav devotees, the worship of Shri Jagannath is extremely important.
Jagannath Temple of Puri:
The Jagannath Temple of Puri is the main pilgrimage site of Hinduism. This temple is not only important from the religious point of view but is also unique from the architectural point of view. Shri Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are worshipped here every day.
The Jagannath Temple of Puri is also extremely important from the architectural point of view and has a special place in Indian culture. Shri Jagannath is also known as 'Patita Pavan', which means that he is the savior of all, irrespective of their caste, religion, or status. Thus, the Jagannath Temple is not only a center of religious faith, but also a symbol of cultural unity and dedication.
Major Festivals Associated with Sri Jagannath
Rath Yatra (Car Festival)
Significance:This is the most famous and grand festival of Sri Jagannath. On this day Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra set out on their huge chariots on a journey to the Gundicha temple. This is called the “Rath Yatra”, and millions of devotees participate in this holy journey.
Date:It is celebrated on the second day of the Shukla Paksha of the month of Ashadha (June-July).
Celebrations:Rath Yatra is celebrated on a grand scale in Puri, in which three huge chariots are built. Devotees get the privilege of pulling these chariots, and this journey is considered extremely sacred for the devotees of Sri Jagannath.
Snaan Yatra
Significance: On this day, the idols of Sri Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are given a public bath. This is called their annual Snaan Yatra.
Date:Observed on the full moon day of the month of Jyestha (May-June).
Celebrations: On this day, the idols of the Lord are brought to a special platform and bathed with holy water from 108 pitchers. After this, the Lord is considered "sick" for a few days and his idols are kept inside the temple.
Gundicha Yatra
Significance: During Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath and his siblings visit the Gundicha temple, which is said to be their aunt's house. After resting there for a few days, they return.
Date:This yatra takes place seven days after the Rath Yatra.
Celebration:Devotees worship the Lord at the Gundicha temple during this time, and this yatra depicts the leelas of the Lord.
Navakalebara
Significance:This is the festival of rebuilding the idol of Sri Jagannath, which is celebrated once in about 12 to 19 years.
Celebration: During this time, the old idols of the Lord are replaced with new ones. This is considered to be an extremely sacred process, and this festival is celebrated with great pomp.
Makar Sankranti
Significance: On this day, special worship of Lord Jagannath is performed, and special prasad is prepared in the temple. This is the day when the Sun enters Capricorn.
Celebration:On this day in Puri, offerings of sesame and jaggery are offered to the Lord, and devotees also celebrate this holy day with great pomp.
Anavasar Darshan
Significance:After the Snana Yatra, Lord Jagannath is "sick" for 15 days and devotees do not get to see him. After this period, when he is healthy, devotees get to see him on Anavasar Darshan.
Celebration:This festival is special for the devotees, because after 15 days, the first darshan of Lord Jagannath is seen.
The importance of Shri Jagannath is very important not only from the religious point of view, but also from the cultural and social point of view. His worship and the festivals associated with him hold a special place in Hinduism. The Jagannath Temple of Puri and the Rath Yatra are unique symbols of Indian culture and devotion, which attract millions of devotees every year.
