on March 6th 2025 we were lucky to have darshan in one of the most famous Hindu temples Sri Jaganath temple of Puri .
Iam posting this again as the famous Jaganath car temple festival is on now .
After our first visit in 1999 when we returned hurriedly after a cyclone which we never knew was a curtain raiser to one of the most devastating cyclones everv in India the Supercyclone which we escaped .
So this visit was more of a closure but it was actually an opener to our soul .
This great temple is a huge complex of many smaller temples .
There are 4 doorways or gates ,during Covid only one was open now all 4 are .
The main door is Singadwar .
The Temple is ancient said to be built by King Indrayudmana of Avanti kingdom
later in 11 th century it was rebuilt by Gupta kings by Anantavarman chodoganga .
The temple has many of its traditions from Tantric Buddhism prevalent in those times and also local tribal cultures .
The Vishnu idol is in form of Jaganath with two siblings Balabadra and Subadra .
Vishnus Chakra Sudarshanam too is worshipped .
While Viswakarma the divine carpenter was building Sri krishna himself came as carpenter and started work closing door ,with no noise for two weeks the queen opened door and found ́no one with idols half completed with no hands .
The idols are made of Neem Wood called Daru unlike most idols in stone or métal.
Worship of these idols started long before temple was built .
Its said in Dwapara yuga this idol was near a banane tree scintillating as a blue stone in form of a blue jewel so powerful it could grant any need .
God Dharma hid it under earth for Indradyumna as a floating log .
Narada instructed Indrayudmna to build a temple to consecrate the idol .
Amongst most important rituals if offering of food or bhog or mahhabhog
There is a huge food prasadam complex just outside with many selling rice and other condiments and snacks
A veritable Food mall
Another intresting ritual observer by thousands every day is a group of priests scaling the tower in full speed with no safety harness or helmets .
only faith .
The priests remove flags hoisted previous day
The main priest climbs upto flag post near chakra and changes it too .
The Rath yatra too is an annual function where all idols are taken ceremonially in tall huge rathams or chariots to Gundichad temple .
The Local king sweeps floor where Yatra takes place as a symbol of servitude ie even king or queen is nothing in front of the Lord
its changed every 12 years as it is thought to contain Krishnas heart and it has to be changed every 12 years .
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