Located in the state of Odisha, the Jagannath mandir is the temple of the Hindu God Vishnu. The shrine is famous for its annual Chariot Festival or Ratha Yatra. It is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites in India. The temple has been described by the Brahma Purana, the Skanda Purana, and the Padma Purana. The temple is also significant to Gaudiya Vaishnavism. It is considered a symbol of love and ecstasy.
Brahma Purana
According to the Brahma Purana, king Indradyumna built the temple after receiving a divine blessing from Lord Vishnu. He built the temple atop Nilasaila. But it was not completed until 1230 A.D. His son, Anantavarman Chodaganga Dev, installed all three deities. He also constructed the temple near Kalpabata. However, the temple was never finished. It is believed that the original image of Jagannathha was present in the temple. The temple was constructed on a Pancha Ratha plan. It is 214 feet high and has four gates.
Shrine
The shrine is enclosed by two concentric walls. The inner wall, called Kurma Bedha, has 120 shrines and is 20 feet high. The outer wall, called the Mukti Mandap, is considered for seating learned Brahmins. The Shri Jagannath temple has been renovated in 1996–2000. The temple also has a special rooftop terrace. This is where the deities stay for seven days. It is a place of pilgrimage for millions of people every year.
The main attraction of the temple is the deities. The Lord Jagannath is worshipped as a symbol of love and ecstasy. He is also the incarnation of Vishnu. During the annual Rath Yatra, the deities ride in a chariot to the Gundicha Temple. They stay there for seven days and then they are brought back to the shrine.
Prasad
There are many types of Prasad offered to the deities. The Mahaprasad consists of 56 different food items. The Prasad is prepared using earthen pots and wood fires. Various varieties of Prasad are also sold to the worshippers in the Ananda Bazaar. There are several types of Mahaprasad, such as Sukhila, Sankudi, and Chappan Bhog. These are distributed in Anabsar Pindi.
The Jagannath temple is close to non-Hindus. It is open to devotees every day from 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM. For a special darshan, a small fee is required. Visitors are also prohibited from taking photographs inside the temple. There is no wheelchair access.
Unique Gateway
The temple also features a unique gateway. The spires of the temple are engraved, and the roof is a domed structure. The temple has a large area of 400,000 square feet. The temple is decorated with flowers and paintings on the wheels. There is a marble statue of the Mahamandaleshwar Mahant, Shree Narsinhdasji, near the Garuda idol. It is also painted with flower petals. A special dhupa, or offering, is made to the Lord at 8 PM.
The Temple also features a Snana Bedi, or bathing hall, where the images of Subhadra and Balabhadra are washed. The deities are usually accompanied by a Garuda, a mythical bird. They are carried in a chariot, a wooden wheeled structure.
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