India

Celebrating the 2010 Krishna Janmashtami Festival in India

The festival of Janmashtami commemorates the birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The festival is also referred to as Gokulashtami, or Govinda in Maharastra. Lord Krisha is revered for his wisdom about how to live life on Earth.
When is Krishna Janmashtami Celebrated:

August/September, depending on the cycle of the moon. The festival runs for two days. In 2010, Janmashtami will take place on September 1-2.

Where is Krishna Janmashtami Celebrated:

Throughout India. One of the best places to experience the festival is in the city of Mumbai. Celebrations take place at hundreds of locations throughout the city. The huge ISKCON temple complex, in the beach side suburb of Juhu, also runs a three day cultural program. In Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna in northern India, temples are brightly decorated for the occasion, many with displays depicting important scenes from the life of Lord Krishna.

How Krishna Janmashtami is Celebrated:

The highlight of the festival, which takes place on the second day, is the Dahi Handi. This is where clay pots containing butter, curd, and money are strung up high from buildings and young Govindas form a human pyramid and compete with each other to reach the pots and break them open. This celebration represents Lord Krishna’s love for butter and curd, which were the foods he most often enjoyed eating. Lord Krishna was quite mischievous and would take curd from people’s houses, so the housewives hung it up high out of his way. Not to be deterred, he gathered his friends together and climbed up to reach it.

What Rituals are Performed During Krishna Janmashtami:

Fasting is observed on the first day of the festival until midnight, when Lord Krishna was believed to have been born. People spend the day at temples, offering prayers, singing, and reciting his deeds. At midnight, a traditional prayer is offered. Special baby cradles are installed in temples and a small statue placed in them. The most elaborate rituals are performed at Mathura, where Lord Krishna was born and spent his childhood.

What Can Be Expected at Krishna Janmashtami:

Lots of chanting, with huge crowds at temples devoted to Lord Krishna. Children get dressed up as Lord Krishna and his companion Radha, and people play games and people perform dances depicting the various events in Lord Krishna’s life. The Dahi Handi festivities, while fun to watch, can get quite intense for Govinda participants, sometimes resulting in broken bones and other injuries.

Janmashathami
On the eighth day of the black half of Bhadra (August-September) was born Shri Krishna, the eighth Avtar or incarnation of Vishnu. Therefore, this day is well-known as Janmashtami or Krishna Janmashtami. This auspicious day of birth of Krishna, the direct manifestation of Vishnu himself, is celebrated in all parts of India with eclat and great enthusiasm. In the Bhagvad Gida, Krishna declares: “All this Universe has been created by me; all things exist in me”, and Arjuna addresses him as “the supreme universal spirit, the supreme dwelling, the eternal person, divine prior to the God:;, unborn, omnipresent”. His life is celebrated in great detail in the Puranas like Harvamsha and Shrimad Bhagvatam. The circumstances in which he was born were quite peculiar and mysterious. He incarnated himself primarily to destroy evil and wickedness and to establish Dharma.

The demon King Kansa was a great and dreaded tyrant, but he loved his sister devaki, and at her marriage with Vasudeva, he, out of great affection, drove their marriage chariot. Then, all of a sudden an orcale told him that eighth born of Devaki shall be the cause of his doom and death. At this he would have killed her then and there, but for the intervention of Vasudeva and their promise to give him over each and every child born to them. They kept their promise, and Kansa killed all of their seven children one after the other to a great suffering and grief of the couple.

They were kept in the prison under strict watch and in chains and locks. So, Krishna was born as their eighth son in the prison cell. But it so happened, with divine grace, that the guards fell asleep, his parents’ chains loosened and locks of the gates of the prison cell opened automatically. Vasudeva took the child Krishna to Nanda’s House in Gokula and exchanged him for a baby girl born there to Yashoda. When Kansa heard of the birth of girl child, he at once rushed to the prison cell, and lifted the female child high, catching it by the feet and was about to dash her against a rock, when it slipped from Kansa’s grip and assuming the beautiful form of the Divine Mother vanished saying. “Wretch! thy destroyer is~flourishing in Gokula”. There was a great joy and rejoicing in Gokula at the birth of a son to Nanda and Yashoda. Yashoda was quite unaware of the exchange that had taken place during the night.

The lanmashtami celebrations start right from the early morning with bath in sacred waters and prayers, etc., but the climax reaches in the midnight with the rising of the moon, which marks the divine birth. On this auspicious day, strict fast is kept and broken only after the birth of Krishna at mid-night. The temples and homes are decorated, scenes depicting Krishna’s birth and his childhood pranks, etc. are staged with models both living and inanimate. Child Krishna’s image is put into a richly decorated swing and rocked with a tender care all the day by the devotees. At night after birth, a small image of toddling Krishna is bathed in Charnamrita, amidst chanting of hymns, blaring of the conches, ringing of the bells and joyous shouting of “victory to Krishna”.

In Braja Mandala, especially in Gokula and Mathura, this festival is celebrated with greatest possible religious fervour and enthusiasm and the special deliberations of the day are relayed on the air. People from distant places congregate to Mathura and Vrindavana on this day to participate in the festival. The piety and fast observed on this day ensure birth of many good sons, and salvation after death. Reading and recitation of the Bhagvatam and Geet Govindam are most recommended on this day.

Hala Shasht :

It is also known as Balaram Shashti, and is observed on the sixth day of the dark half of Bhadra. Balram, the elder brother of Krishna, was born on this day. Our scriptures say that Vishnu took two hairs, a white and another black, and these became Balarama and Krishna, the sons of Devaki. As soon as Balarama was born, he was carried away to Gokula to preserve his life from the tyrant Kansa, and he was brought up there as a child of Rohini. He and Krishna grew together and took active part in many adventures which included the killing of many demons. He was a preceptor both of Bhima and Duryodhana. He had refused to side either with the Pandavas or the Kauravas. Balarama died just before Krishna, as he sat under a banyan tree in the outskirts of Dwaraka.

Balarama’s weapon was a plough, so it is called Hala (Plough) Shashti. On this day, fast is kept by the women to ensure happiness, prosperity and longevity to their sons and only buffalo milk and curds are taken. The plough is also worshipped on this day. This fast, primarily a rural affair, is observed with much enthusiasm in northern India. After morning ablutions, a small piece of ground is sanctified and plastered with cowdung, etc., and a tiny water pool is dug in it and then the branches of ber (jujube plum), gular (a kind of fig tree). and palash (Butea Frondosa) are planted there in and worshiped. Unmarried girls observe the Chandra Shashti on this day, and fast, which is terminated with the rising of the moon in the night, whom they offer water and worship.

Indian MPs to get another Salary Hike of Rs 10,000
Rs 1.6 lakh a month

MPs will now an additional Rs 10,000 over and above what was agreed upon last week – a 300% raise. That amounts to Rs 1.6 lakh a month for legislators, thanks to deal reached between the government and the Samajwadi Party and RJD chiefs — Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Prasad.

The Rs 10,000 will be equally distributed in monthly office and constituency allowances. The Rs 1.6 lakh package remains even without the travel costs that MPs can avail. Besides salary, an MP gets an allowance of Rs.1,000 for each day the Parliament is in session or for taking part in House committee meetings. This has been doubled. A member is also entitled to a constituency allowance of Rs.20,000 per month and an office expense allowance of Rs.20,000 per month. These perks too have also been doubled. The constituency allowance of MPs which will now stand at Rs 45,000 will be exempt from income tax. Last week the Union Cabinet had approved a bill to hike MPs’ salary from current Rs 16,000 to Rs 50,000. The panel on MPs’ salary had suggested an increase in secretarial allowance from Rs 14,000 to Rs 44,000. The Cabinet has however agreed to an increase of up to Rs 20,000 only.

Even as the bill was passed, MPs appeared to be a dissatisfied lot and stalled the Lok Sabha proceedings thrice during the day, demanding more money. This was enough to trigger an uproar and protests in the House by members of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Samajwadi Party (SP), Akali Dal, Janata Dal (United), Shiv Sena and Bahujan Samaj Party. BJP and JD (U) members, who were miffed at the medical council Bill being passed without discussion, created an uproar, tore apart lists of business for the day, calling it a “murder of democracy” and also sat inside the House.

August 22, 2010
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india

Jagannath Puri

Jagannath Puri : The Temple, The Temple Architecture
The Deities, History of the Deities, Puja Timings, Darshan , The Costumes (Veshas),

Jagannath Puri : Location

Jagannath Puri : Legend

Jagannath Puri : Festivals – Sayana Ekaadasee, Dakhinaayana Sankraanti , Damanaka Chaturdasi , Makara Sankraanti , Pushyaabhisheka, Paarshwa Parivartana , Deva Uthaapana , Praavarana Sashthee
Jagannath Puri : Yatra - Dola Yatra , Chandan Yatra, Snana Yatra , Rath Yatra ,
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Jagannath Puri : Dola Yatra

This is Celebrated from the tenth day of the bright fortnight of Falguna up to the full moon day. The representative deities Dologobinda, Bhudevi and Sreedevi are taken in a procession to Dolabedi located outside the outer compound wall of the main Temple and special rites are performed.

Jagannath Puri : Chandan Yatra

This takes place in the month of Vaisaksha and continues for 42 days. But, generaly speaking and for the piligrims and visitors, it is a Festival of 21 day only. The first period known as “Bahar Chandan” or outer Chandan. During this period, the representative images of Rama, Krishna, Madanmohan, Laxmi and Biswadhatri at taken in a procession to Narendra tank. Also images of Siva from 5 Shiva Temples known as “Pancha Pandavas” accompany them in a Procession in the Narendra tank, the images play in well decorated boats and are worshipped. The second period of 21 days known as “Bhitar Chandana” is celebrated inside the Temple. The rites observed on this period are not popularly enjoyed.

Jagannath Puri : Snana Yatra

This Festival takes place in the month of Jyeshtha. It is popularly known as the Deba Snana Purnima. This is the first occasion in the course of an year when the deities; Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra along with Sudarshan and Madanmohan are brought out from the Temple and taken in procession to Snana Bedi located in the NorthEastern corner of the outer compound. The deities are bathed there with 108 pitchers of water from a well near the Northen Gate. Here, Jagannath and Balabhadra are dressed like Lord Ganesh of the purans with the head of an elephant.

Jagannath Puri : Rath Yatra

The most splendid of the innumerable festivals celebrated round the year in the holy city of Puri, the Ratha Yatra is the grand culmination of a series of celebrations spread over the summer and the monsoon month. Akshayya Tritiya tithi marks the beginning of the construction of the Rathas(chariots) for them ceremonial journey and sojourn of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra at the Gundicha temple for a week. On the full-moon day of the month of Jyestha (May-June) in the Snana Yatra, the Bathing Festival, when the three deities move in colourful processions to a platform in the outer enclosure of the temple, the Snana Vedi, the bathing platform, where they bathe with one hundred and eight pitchers of perfumed water drawn from a temple well once a year. After the ritual bath, the deities assume the special elephant form, recalling the legend of the Lord’s affection for a devotee, whom He proved that he was in fact another manifestation of Lord Ganesha. At the end of the Snana Yatra day, the holy triad, supposedly afflicted with fever, do not return to their pedestal in the sanctum. They stay away from the public view for a period of fifteen days, called Anasara, after which they appear in their Navayauvana Vesha, literally a renewed youth, on the new moon day of the Month of Ashadha. During this fortnight the icons get a fresh coat of painting which gets washed out on the day of the Bathing Festival. During this period the Sevakas, temple servants, also symbolically convalesce with the deities and eat only fruits and other restricted diet. Cloth paintings, representing the deities called Anasara Pati, are displayed beyond the enclosers hiding the deities for the devotees to see and worship. Finally comes the Ratha Yatra on the second day of the bright fortnight of the month Of Ashadha when the three deities, come out of the temple in a spectacular procession called pahandi. The deities, colossal wooden statues, adorned with giant floral crowns, called Tahias, are literally pulled, pushed and dragged in rhythmic movement to the accompaniment of the beat of cymbals, drums and chanting of their names in chorus by devotees in frenzied ecstasy. After all the deities are seated in their respective chariots starts the Chhera Pamhara the ritual sweeping of the chariots with a golden broom by the Gajapati King of Puri,the foremost servant of God, the Adya sevaka of Lord Jagannath. The King comes from his palace on a richly decorated palanquin. Chhera Pamhara on is symbolic rite which proclaims that the King like others is but an humble servant of the real sovereign, Lord Jagannath. The most exciting part of the Rath yatra is the pulling of chariots by thousands of people who lay their hands on the sturdy ropes and drag the massive structures along the Bada-Danda, the grand road. The Chariot of Balabhadra moves first, followed by those of Subhadra and Jagannath. The chariots grind forward slowly until they reach the Gundicha temple where the three detities rest for a night on their own chariots, adorned with the Dasavatara costumes. They enter the Gundicha temple on the next day in the usual Pahandi style and stay there for seven days. Goddess Laxmi,who gets angry for being left out at the temple, proceeds to the Gundicha temple to meet her Lord, Jagannath, on the Hera Panchami day, the fifth day from the Ratha Yatra. After having a stealthy look at her Lord, she returns to the temple,damaging a part of Jagannath’s chariot in anger and disgust. The deities, after a seven-day stay at Gundicha temple, their garden house, commence their return journey, the Bahuda Yatra, On the tenth day of bright fortnight of Ashadha. The return of the chariots takes place in the same order as in the rath yatra. Balabhadra chariot moves first, followed by those of Subhadra and jagannath. On his way back, Jagannath stops for a while at Ardhasini temple, popularly called Mausi Ma temple of the temple of Aunt. He accept from the aunt His favourite rice cake,Poda Pitha. The three chariots pulled by thousands of devotees, reach back the Simhadwara in the late afternoon of the Bahuda day and deities remain seated on their chariots. On the next day the Bada Ekadasi, the three deities, are attired in costumes of glittering gold and are worshipped by thousands of devotees. This form of the deities is known as the famous Suna Vesa. On the Dwadasi day, the three deities go back to their original place, the Ratna simhasana, literally the jewelled platform,with theusual fanfare and the Pahandi style. Their arrival in to the Sanctum sanctorum marks the end of the Ratha Yatra the grand festival of Chariot. The three Chariots of Balabhadra,Subhadra and Jagannath are constructed each year with Sal wood, customarily brought from the ex-princely State of Dasapalla, by a specialist team of carpenters who have hereditary rights for this. Lord Jagannth’s Chariot is called Nandighosha. It is forty-five feet square at the wheel level. It has sixteen wheels, each of seven feet diameter, and is decked with red and yellow covering of cloth. The Chariot of Lord Balabhadra, called the Taladhwaja, has fourteen wheels, each of seven feet diameter, and is covered with red and blue cloth. Its height is forty-four feet. The Chariot of Subhadra, known as darpadalan is forty-three feet high with twelve wheels, each of seven feet diameter. This Chariot is decked with the coverings of red and black cloth. Around each of the Chariots are nine Parsvadevatas, the guardian deities and four horses. Each chariot has a Charioteer called Sarathi. Matali, Daruka and Arjuna are the three charioteers attached respectively to the three Chariots of Jagannath,Balabhadra and Subhadra.

Carpenters who excel in woodcarving still produce these chariots for the car festival, and also carve ornate images of deities upon them. While on the other hand applique work can be seen during processions of the deities in their various ritual outings. Items like Chhati, Tarasa and Chandua are used for the purpose. However, the applique work in its colourful best is most prominent in the cloth cover of the three chariots of the presiding deities in which they travel every year during the Ratha yatra. As per tradition, the colour scheme of the three covers is predetermined. The chariot of Balabhadra known as Taladhawaja has a cloth covering of bright green and red color, while that of Subhadra known as Padmadhwaja or Darpadalana has a cover of bright red and black. The chariot of Lord Jagannath called Nandighosha has a cover of bright red and yellow. The basic design of all three is similar being a combination of narrow and wide stripes while on the four sides above the openings, there are applique mythical motifs like Rahu, Chandra as well as motifs from nature like flowers etc. It is these colourful applique covers which indentify the chariots of the three deities from far away by the millions of pilgrims thronging the Badadanda or the extrawide main road of Puri in which the lords make their annual sojourn in the car festival. Seats and pillows in applique are also made for ceremonial use by the deities during the annual ritual of bathing festival (Snana Jatra) and is locally known as ‘Chakada Kama’ with motifs of 27 stars and geometrical forms in applique work with motifs of fish, frog etc. on black cloth is used in the ritual dress of the Deities of Puri temple, locally known as the ‘Gaja Uddharana Vesha’, incarnation of Rescuer of Elephant. Applique cover is also made for capparisoning the dummy horses in the ‘Horse Dance’ or Ghoda Nacha during Chaitra Festival in Puri and other places.

Jagannath Puri

Jagannath Puri : The Temple, The Temple Architecture
The Deities, History of the Deities, Puja Timings, Darshan , The Costumes (Veshas),

Jagannath Puri : Location

Jagannath Puri : Legend

Jagannath Puri : Festivals – Sayana Ekaadasee, Dakhinaayana Sankraanti , Damanaka Chaturdasi , Makara Sankraanti , Pushyaabhisheka, Paarshwa Parivartana , Deva Uthaapana , Praavarana Sashthee
Jagannath Puri : Yatra - Dola Yatra , Chandan Yatra, Snana Yatra , Rath Yatra ,
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Jagannath Puri : Festivals

There are festivals celebrated at the temple all throughout the year.

Chandan yatra – chaitra Masarambha

Sneha yatra – Jyestha Paurnima

Rath yatra – shravan shukla

Jhulan yatra

Dashami to chaturdashi

Karkat or dakshinayana sankranti

Chitalagi amabashya – Shravana

Rahurekha lagi – Bhadraba

Krishnana janma

Saptapuri amabashya – Bhadraba

Ganesh chaturthi – Bhadraba

Rishi Panchami – Bhadraba 5th day

Radhastami – Bhadraba – 8th day

Parswava Parivartan – bhadraba 11th day

Bamam janma or sunia – bhadraba – 12th day

Anant chaturdashi – 1st sep bhadraba,14th day

Indra govinda puja – 2nd sep bhadraba full moon day

Sahasra kumbha mela – ashwina 8th day

Dasahara – ashwina

Kumar purnima – ashwina

Jagannath Puri : Sayana Ekaadasee

This is also known as the Hari Sayan Ekaadasee. This takes place in the month of Ashaadha, after the completion of ‘Return-Ceremony’ of the Lords, from the Gundhichaa Ghar. On this occasion, the images of the Vasudeva, Bhubaneswaree, and Narayana are taken in a procession to the Chariots. After some temple rites are performed there, these images are taken to the ‘chamber of slumber’ for enjoying complete rest.

Jagannath Puri : Dakhinaayana Sankraanti

This takes place on the famous day of Karkata Sankraanti. Special rites are performed on this occasion.

Jagannath Puri : Damanaka Chaturdasi

This falls in the month of Chaitra. On this day, the deities pay a visit to the garden of the celebrated Jagannath Vallabha Matha where they pick-up the tender leaves of the Dayanaa unnoticed by anybody.

Jagannath Puri : Makara Sankraanti

This falls in the month of Pausha. The deities are specially dressed on this occasion. Boiled rice mixed with candy and the juice of some fruits is offered to the deities. This festival has agricultural significance.

Pushyaabhisheka

This falls on the full moon day of the month of Pausha.

Jagannath Puri : Paarshwa Parivartana

Paarshwa Parivartana Ekadashee takes place in the month of Bhadrapada. Special rites are performed on this occasion

Jagannath Puri : Deva Uthaapana

Deva Utthapana Ekadashee takes place on the 11th day of the bright-fortnight of the month of Kartika. It is a very sacred day for the Hindus and special rites are performed in the Temple that day.

Jagannath Puri : Praavarana Sashthee

Pravarana Shashthee takes place in the month of Margashirsha. This is locally known as Odhana Shashthee and special rites are performed in the temple.

Jagannath Puri

Jagannath Puri : The Temple, The Temple Architecture
The Deities, History of the Deities, Puja Timings, Darshan , The Costumes (Veshas),

Jagannath Puri : Location

Jagannath Puri : Legend

Jagannath Puri : Festivals – Sayana Ekaadasee, Dakhinaayana Sankraanti , Damanaka Chaturdasi , Makara Sankraanti , Pushyaabhisheka, Paarshwa Parivartana , Deva Uthaapana , Praavarana Sashthee
Jagannath Puri : Yatra - Dola Yatra , Chandan Yatra, Snana Yatra , Rath Yatra ,
=====================================================

Jagannath Puri : Legend

Legendary account as found in the Skanda-Purana, Brahma Purana and other Puranas state that Lord Jagannath was originally worshipped as Neela madhab by a saver king(tribal chief) named Viswavasu. Having heard about the Deity, King Indradyumna sent a brahmin priest, Vidyapati to locate the Deity, who was worshipped secretely in a dense forest by Viswavasu. Vidyapati tried his best but could not locate the place. But at last he managed to marry Viswavasu’s daughter Lalita. At repeated request of Vidyapati, Viswavasu took his son-in-law blindfolded to a cave where Neelamadhab was worshipped. Vidyapati was very intelligent. He dropped mustard seeds on the way. The seeds germinated after a few days,which enabled him to find out the cave later on. On hearing from him, King Indradyumna proceeded immediately to Odra desha (Orissa) on a pilrgimage to see and worship the Deity. The king was disappointed at the sudden disappearance of the Deity. The Deity was hidden in sand. The king was determined not to return without having darshan of the Deity and observed fast unto death at Mount Neela, when a celestial voice cried ‘thou shalt see him’. Afterwards the king performed a horse sacrifice and built a magnificient temple for Vishnu. Narasinmha Murti brought by Narada was installed in the temple. During sleep, the king had a vision of Lord Jagannath. Also anastral voice directed him to receive the fragrant tree on the seashore and make idols out of it. Accordingly the king got Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshan made and installed them in the temple.

Jagannath Puri

Jagannath Puri : The Temple, The Temple Architecture
The Deities, History of the Deities, Puja Timings, Darshan , The Costumes (Veshas),

Jagannath Puri : Location

Jagannath Puri : Legend

Jagannath Puri : Festivals – Sayana Ekaadasee, Dakhinaayana Sankraanti , Damanaka Chaturdasi , Makara Sankraanti , Pushyaabhisheka, Paarshwa Parivartana , Deva Uthaapana , Praavarana Sashthee
Jagannath Puri : Yatra - Dola Yatra , Chandan Yatra, Snana Yatra , Rath Yatra ,
=====================================================

Jagannath Puri : Location

The town of Puri is situated along the seashore(i.e. the Bay of Bengal) in the State of Orissa.

Air

State Capital Bhubaneswar is the nearest Airport otherwise known as ” Biju Pattnaik Airport”. The distance is 65 Kms. from Puri and can be covered in an hour by car. Indian Airlines operates flights from Delhi, Calcutta, Visakhapatna, Hyderabad, Raipur, Mumbai and Chennai.

Rail

Being a terminus on the SouthEastern Railway, Puri is directly linked with Delhi, Calcutta, Ahmadabad, Patna, Baidyanath Dham and Tirupati by train. Besides one can go to Khurda Road junction to the state capital Bhubaneswar to rail his way to Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai.

Road

Only 60 Kms. away from Bhubaneswar by State Highway No-8, Puri has got a 35 Kms. Marine drive road way to Konark. The State capital is situated on both sides of Calcutta – Chennai National Highway No-5.

Jagannath Puri

Jagannath Puri : The Temple, The Temple Architecture
The Deities, History of the Deities, Puja Timings, Darshan , The Costumes (Veshas),

Jagannath Puri : Location

Jagannath Puri : Legend

Jagannath Puri : Festivals – Sayana Ekaadasee, Dakhinaayana Sankraanti , Damanaka Chaturdasi , Makara Sankraanti , Pushyaabhisheka, Paarshwa Parivartana , Deva Uthaapana , Praavarana Sashthee
Jagannath Puri : Yatra - Dola Yatra , Chandan Yatra, Snana Yatra , Rath Yatra ,
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Jagannath Puri    : The Temple

Nestling on the eastern coast along the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal the unique State of Orissa offers to her guests a ‘tourism capsule’ containing magnificent temples, sunny beaches, colourful wildlife, traditional tribal culture and a rich heritage.To her credit, it has housed the important pilgrimage center for the Hindus – Puri, the 13th century magic carved on sand stone – Konark, the largest brackish water lake of the continent – Chilika, the wonder greenland of the white tigers – Nandankanan, and many more caves, Chaityas, Stupas. temples, forts and palaces. Statistics suggests,most of the visitors frequent this place for Lord Jagannath and the blue bay.

While several temples have vanished or have declined in importance, the great temple of Lord Jagannath at Puri is still a living and vibrant temple. Over the centuries it has attracted kings, conquerers, religious teachers, devotees and pilgrims. In the minds of the millions of Indians, Orissa is the land of Jagannath. This temple of Lord Jagannath (‘Lord of the Universe’) at Puri is one of the most sacred pilgrimage spots in India, one of the four abodes (dhamas) of the divine that lie on the four directions of the compass.

Jagannath Puri    : The Temple Architecture

The Orissan temples broadly pertain to three orders locally known as the Rekha-deul, Pidha-deul and Khakhara-deul. The sanctum with the curvilinear shikhara (rekha) is called the rekha deul and the mandapa with the (jagamohana) with a pyramadical roof of tiers(pidhas) is known as pidha deul. In a typical Orissan temple the latter two form the component parts of a single architectural scheme. The later Orissan temple adds in front two more mandapas known as the nata mandapa (dancing hall) and the bhoga mandapa(hall of offering) in the same axis. It is however to be noted that in the earliest group of Orissan temples the Pidha deul is wanting and the mandapa is a rectangular pillared hall covered by a low flat roof of two sloping tiers with a clerestory in between. Temples of the third order viz Khakhara deul are are only six being known from Bhubaneshwar. An oblong plan and a wagon–vault roof, characterize them.

The temple of Jagannath Puri is a rekha deul with curvilinear tower on a pancha ratha plan and was built by Ananta Barma Chodaganga Dev during 12th century A.D. and was completed by Ananga Bhima Dev. This temple is one of the tallest monuments in the country, height is about 214 feet from the ground level. It stands on an elevated platform of stone measuring about 10 acres, which is located in the heart of the down town and presents an imposing sight. The temple is bounded by two enclosures. The inner enclosure is 400′ x 278′ and is known as kurma bedha. The outer enclosure is of 665′ x 644′ with the height varying from 20′to 24′ is popularly known as Meghanad Prachir. The temple has four gates at the eastern, southern, western northern midpoints of the Meghanad Prachir and are called Lions gate, Horse Gate, Tiger Gate and the Elephant Gate respectively. The temple has got four halls in a row such as Viman (main temple where Lord Jagannath is worshipped with brother Balabhadra, sister Subhadra and Sudarshan, Jagamohan (Audience hall ), Natamandap (Dance hall ) and the Bhoga Mandapa (offering hall ).

Jagannath Puri    : The Deities

Lord Jagannath, the symbol of universal love and brotherhood is worshipped in the Temple along with Balabhadra, Subhadra, Sudarshan, Madhaba, Sridevi and Bhudevi on the Ratnabedi or the bejewelled platform. The Deities, Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshan are made of margosa wood. When one lunar month of Ashadha is followed by another lunar month of Aashadha, the deities change their bodies during such a leap month. This is known as Navakalebar or New Body Ceremony. Last four new body ceremonies of the Lords were celebrated in the year 1950, 1969, 1977 and 1996. On such occasions, Puri witnesses the largest crowd in her fold.

Jagannath Puri    : History of the Deities

The deities of the Puri temple are generally known as the Trimurti(Trinity) though, to the scholars, they are Chaturdhaa murtis (or images, 4 in number). Some think that originally there was only Jagannath as the object of worship and when Neela Madhava disappeared, King Indradyumna fabricated the body of Jagannath out of a log of wood that was picked up from the sea, as per a divine direction received by the King. Scholars holding the view that originally the Present-day Trinity was not there, cite the example of a Temple found in the Cuttack District in Orissa (belonging perhaps to the seventh century A.D.) where the images only of Jagannath and Balabhadra have been carved and Subhadra is not to be seen there.

It is, therefore, believed that when there was a great resurgence of Saktism from the 7th century onwards, there was a successful attempt to install an image of the Mother Goddess (Durga or Sakti) in the Puri Temple by the side of Jagannath. According to some others, installation of the image of Durga or Sakti (who is also known as Bhadraa, Mangalaa etc.) might have taken place during the visit of Sankaraachaarya to Puri. In the Konarka Temple built in the 13th century A.D. (about a century later than the Puri Temple), there is a panel of three images. Jagannath is seen in the middle and to His left is the Mother Goddess, while to His right is a Linga (phallus). From this, it is deduced by some that this might have been the “Trio” of the Puri Temple, indicating the equal importance of Vaishnavism, Saktism and Saivism.

There is another hypothesis that Bhadraa or Mangalaa (Durga) came to be called as Subhadra and at the time of Vaishnavite preponderance, she was introduced as Srikrishna’s sister, whose name also is Subhadra. Similarly one of the names of Lord Siva is Veerabhadra. Somehow, at a time of Vaishnavic efflorescence, He was transformed into Balabhadra. (The second half of this name i.e., ‘Bhadra’ was retained and the first half was substituted by Bala). When HE was thus called Balabhadra, He, was introduced as the elder brother of Srikrishna.

Jagannath Puri : Puja Timings

Daily Rituals:

1.Dwarpitha and Mangal Aarati at 5 a.m

The door opens early in the morning in the presence of five specific sevayats after verification of the “seal” given by a particular sevayat in the last night. Soon after the opening of the door, Mangal Aarati is performed.

2.“Mailam” at 6 a.m.

“Mailam” is a word used in Sri Jagannath Temple, which means change or removal of dresses and flowers etc. At this time some specific sevaks change the clothes, flowers, Tulasi leaves of the deities worn on the previous night. After removal of clothes, the clothes known as “Tadap” and “Uttariya” are worn by the deities.

3. “Abakash” – 6 a.m. to 6.30 a.m.

Purificatory rites like brushing of teeth and bath is known as “Abakash”. At this time, Temple Jyotishi (Astrologer) reads out the tithi(day and date) and other astrological details of the day and according to that, that day’s rituals are performed.

4. “Mailam” 6.45 a.m.

At this time deities change their clothes (Tadap and Uttariya) and wear another set of clothes. A sevak known as “Akhanda Mekap” keeps in the sanctum Akhanda Baitha i.e. one lamp which burns till “Pahuda” or the time of the retirement of the deities to bed.

5. “Sahanamela” – 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Though this is not a part of the rituals, but about one hour is spent to facilitate pilgrims to go up to “Ratnavedi” or inner sanctums to have a Darshan, without paying fees for it. On certain festive days, Sahanamela is held after “Sandhya dhupa” (Evening Puja or Sandhya Aarati in the month of Kartik) and after Sakaldhupa (in the month of Pausha). Some times this darshan is not allowed for some special rituals of the deities.

6. “Beshalagi” – 8 a.m.

After Sahanamela the deities are again dressed up which can be witnessed from a little distance i.e.” Bhitara Katha”. At this time, Deities are also adorned with gold and precious stones to suit different festive occasions.

7. Rosha Homa Surya Puja and Dwarapal– 8 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.

While some sevayats are busy with vesha lagi or the Deities, Pujapandas at that time perform “Rosha Homa” (Fire Sacrifice) at the kitchen and “Surya puja” at the surya temple near “Mukti Mandap”. Then the images of two gate keepers named Jaya and Vijaya on the entrance of the Jagamohan of the Temple are worshipped.

8. Gopala Ballava Puja– 9 a.m.

The prescribed time is 9 A.M. This is the time for breakfast of the deities. At this time sweet popcorn (Khai), Khualadus, Coconut sweets (Kora), Ripe banana, Curd, and chipped coconuts etc. are offered as bhogas. Puja is performed in a brief manner with pancha upachar only.

9. Sakala Dhupa(Morning food offering) 10 a.m

At this time puja is performed by three Pujapandas with 16 Upachars or Sodasha Upachars. Three Pujapandas used to sit on Ratnasinhasana to worship three deities Shri Balabhadra, Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath. The Pujapanda who worships Lord Jagannath also worships Sri Devi, Bhudevi, and Sudarshan. The morning bhoga or food offered to the deities contains Rice, Kanika, Khechudi, Green leaves, Cakes etc. The local names of the Bhog are Pitha Puli, Hansakeli, Kanti, Enduri, Matha Puli, Kakatua Jhili, Bundia, Kadali Bhaja, Ada Pachedi (ginger tonic) etc.The cost of the dhoop Pujas and Ballavs are borne by the Temple Administration. Previously Raja-Superintendent of the temple born the cost of materials for preparation of Bhoga. So these Bhogas are also called “Raja Bhoga” or “Kotha Bhoga”.

10. Mailam and Bhoga Mandap:

After Morning Dhupa or Puja the Deities change their clothes and again Puja takes places in “Bhoga Mandap”, a place behind the Garuda pillar of Jagamohan. Huge quantity of Bhogas such as Rice, Dal, Curries, Saga and Cakes of different kinds etc. are offered to the Deities. Pujapandas worship this bhog with Pancha Upacharas. The cost of Bhoga Mandap offerings are not borne by the state or Temple Administration. This bhoga is mainly prepared to meet the need of different Mathas(Monasteries) and for sale to the general public. According to the demand, Bhogamandap Puja is made twice or thrice a day i.e. after “Madhyanha Dhoop” and “Sandhya Dhup” also.

11. Madhyanha (Afternoon food offering) 11 A.M. to 1 P.M.

Like Sakal Dhupa, this puja is also performed with Shodasha Upachar in the afternoon. The Bhoga items are more in number than that of Morning Dhupa. One can go near to the “Ratna Simhasan” for darshan by paying special Darshan fee of Rs. 10/- after Madhyanha Dhupa and Sakal Dhupa.

12. Madhyanha Pahudha – 1 p.m. to 1.30 p.m

If rituals have been performed in time and if time permits, the Deities retire for the afternoon.

13. Sandhya Aarati

In the evening again aaratis are performed after Madhyana Dhupa Mailam. On Ekadashi day, the deities change their clothes and wear another set after “Aarati” is over.

14.Sandhya Dhupa – 7 p.m. to 8 p.m

After “Sandhya Aarati” again Bhogas are offered to the deities in the same manner like Sakala and Madhyanha Dhupa but this time Bhoga amount is less in quantity and number. After Puja again lamp offering is made which is called as “Jaya Mangala Aarati”.

15.Mailam and Chandana lagi

After “Sandhya Dhoopa” deities change their clothes and are annointed with Sandal paste mixed with champhor, keshar and Kasturi. One can witness this ritual by paying special Darshan fees of Rs. 10/-.

16. Badashringar Vesha

After Chandan lagi, deities are dressed with Baralagi Patta (silken robes on which some portions of Geeta Govinda of Jayadev are woven in to the texture of these robes) and flower ornaments.

17. Badashringara Bhoga

This is the last bhoga of the day. Puja is offered with Pancha Upachar by the Puja Pandas with Pakhal (watered rice), Kadali bada, Kshiri, Kanji etc.

18. Khata Seja Lagi and Pahuda 12.00

The bedsteads of the deities are arranged. The Deity of “Sayan Thakura” is carried from Bhandarghar to Ratnavedi or Ratnasimhasana and place the deity near Lord Jagannath. Then follows offering of green coconut, betels and camphor aarati and then deities retire to their beds. The door is sealed then by the Sevayat (Talichha Mohapatra). Temple is closed and no visitors or outsiders are allowed to remain inside.

This is in brief the daily rituals observed in the Temple. It is generally not possible to follow the time prescribed for each ritual on account of various practical difficulties. On the specific festive days, additional rituals are performed. As a result, changes in timings and alterations in the routine rituals are made.

Jagannath Puri : Darshan

As indicated above during Sahanamela, the devotees can go up to the “Ratna Simhasana” and pray to Lords, free of cost. Besides the pilgrims can go up to “Ratna Singhasana” at certain times paying a nominal fee Rs. 10/-, which is known as “Parimanik Darshana”. At other times the pilgrims can have their darshan from a little distance that is in “Jagamohan” and “Vitarakatha”. At the time of Beshalagi, one can have darshan near “Bhitar Katha” by buying a ticket of Rs. 1.50.

Bhoga

Every day 5 bhogas are offered to the Lords, these are “Gopala-Ballava” (Break fast), “Sakal Dhupa” “Madhyana Dhupa” “Sandhya Dhupa” and “Badasinghar Dhupa”.

According to the Skanda Purana, Lord Jagannath redeems the devotees by permitting them to partake his Mahaprasad,to have his darshan and worship Him by rituals and offering gifts. Mahaprasad is treated

here as ‘Anna Brahma’. The temple kitchen has got the capacity to cook for a lakh of devotees on a day. Mahaprasad is cooked only in earthern pots and on hearths. The steam-cooked food is offered to Lord Jagannath first and then to Goddess Bimala after which it becomes Mahaprasad. This Mahaprasad is freely partaken by people of all castes and creeds without any discrimination. The items offered include cooked rice, dal, vegetable curry, sweet-dishes, cakes etc. Dry confectionaries are prepared of sugar, jaggery, wheat flour, ghee, milk etc. When the steam-cooked food is carried to Lord in slings of earthern pots no flavour comes up from the food but when the same is carried back to the sale point after being offered to the Lord a delicious smell spells along in the breeze to the pleasant surprise of the devotees. Now the food is blessed. Mahaprasad consolidates human bond, sanctifies sacraments and grooms the departing soul for its journey upwards. Mahaprasads are sold in Anand Bazar or the PleasureMart of the temple which is situated on the northeastern corner of the outer enclosure of the temple. Most of the residents in and around puri depend upon this Mahaprasad to entertain their guests during social functions such as thread ceremony and weddings.

The tourists prefer to carry a particular type of dry Mahaprasad known as” Khaja” (made of maida,sugar and ghee) which stays fresh for days together

Jagannath Puri    : The Costumes (Veshas)

The Deities are adorned with cotton and silk fabrics, Gold Ornaments studded with precious stones, flowers of different varieties, Tulsi leaves, sandal paste, camphor. These articles are used in the daily and periodical rituals. Some important Veshas or costumes of the deities are mentioned below.

1. Abakasha (Tadapa uttari) Vesha

This Vesha is done everyday after Mangal Aarati for the Abakash rituals. The clothes which are worn by the deities for this purpose are known as “Tadapa” and “Uttariya”.

2. Sadha Vesha

This Vesha are the normal costumes of deities which they wear five times in a day, especially after each food offering. This Vesha comprises silken clothes and flower garlands.

3. Bada Sringar Vesha

This the last Vesha of the deities done everyday before the night “Pahuda”. Bada Sringar Vesha is mostly of flowers of different colours and species. The deities wear silk clothes called ‘Khandua’.

4. Chandan Vesha

This vesha is done for 42 days starting from Akshayya Tritiya day.

5. Ganapati or Hathi vesha

On the full moon day in the month of Jyestha, after the bathing ceremony is over, the deities are dressed like elephants. Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra appear like Ganesh(the Elephant God).

6. Suna(gold) vesha

On the 11th day in the bright fortnight of Ashada, Suna Vesha takes place, when the deities are in their respective chariots near the Lion’s gate of Sree Jagannath temple. The deities are decorated with many gold ornaments. This vesha is also known as ‘Bada Tadhau’ vesha and Raja Vesha is also done on Dashahara, Kartik Purnima,Pousha purnima and Dola purnima.

7. Banabhoji Vesha

It is done on the 10th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadraba. The deities are dressed as if going for a picnic, like cowherd boys.

8. Kaliyadalana Vesha

On the 11th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadraba, Lord JAGANNATH is dressed like Lord Krishna killing the Kaliya Serpent.

9. Pralambasura Badha Vesha

It is done on the 12th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadraba(September), Lord Balabhadra’s killing of the demon Pralambasura is depicted in this Vesha.

10. Krishna Balarama Vesha

This Vesha is done on the 13th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadraba. Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra are dressed like Lord Krishna and Balaram.

11. Bali Baman Vesha

On the 12th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadraba, Lord Jagannath is dressed like “Bamana”(dwarf). Bamana is the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

12. Radha-Damodara Vesha

From the 11th day of the bright fortnight of Ashwina to the 10th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika, this vesha takes place.

13. Thiakia(Laxmi-Narayan) Vesha

It is done on the 11th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika.

14. Bankachula Vesha

It is done on the 12th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika.

15. Adakia(Tribikrama) Vesha

This is done on the 13th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika.

16. Dalikia Vesha

On the 14th day of the bright fortnight of Kartika, this is also known as Laxmi-Nrisimha Vesha.

17. Nagarjuna Vesha

This vesha is occasionally done in the month of Kartika, when there are six days of “Panchaka”. The lords are dressed like warriors. In the recent past, this besha has been done on 16.11.1994. The previous four dates were 26.11.1993, 3.11.1968, 16.11.1967 and 26.11.1966.

18. Ghodalagi Vesha

During the period from the 6th day of the bright fortnight of Margasira to the 5th day of the bright fortnight of Magha(Basanta Panchami), the deities wear winter clothes.

19. Jamalagi Vesha

From Basanta Panchami to Dola Purnima, the deities wear modified Ghoda(Winter dress).

20. Padma Vesha

This vesha is done on any saturday or Wednesday between the new moon day of Magha and Basanta Panchami. “Padma” means lotus. The dress materials made of lotus, “Sola” lace and paper,gum etc.

21. Gaja Uddharana Vesha

This Vesha is done on the full moon day of Magha. This Vesha depicts a story in the puranas as to how Lord Vishnu saved an elephant from the attack of an Alligator.

Besides these, there are other veshas like Shradha and Chacheri veshas are done in the month of Margasira and Falguna respectively. The sevaks of temple who dress the deities with clothing and flowers are known as Puspalaks or Singharis

Jagannath Puri

Jagannath Puri : The Temple, The Temple Architecture
The Deities, History of the Deities, Puja Timings, Darshan , The Costumes (Veshas),

Jagannath Puri : Location

Jagannath Puri : Legend

Jagannath Puri : Festivals – Sayana Ekaadasee, Dakhinaayana Sankraanti , Damanaka Chaturdasi , Makara Sankraanti , Pushyaabhisheka, Paarshwa Parivartana , Deva Uthaapana , Praavarana Sashthee

Jagannath Puri : Yatra - Dola Yatra , Chandan Yatra, Snana Yatra , Rath Yatra ,
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Jagannath Puri

The celebrated Temple of Lord Jagannath now existent at Puri was constructed by Raja Ananta Varman Chodaganga Dev in 12th century A.D. The wooden images of Jagannath Balabhadra and Subhadra were installed in that temple. The management of the temple continued under the Hindu rulers till 1558, when the State of Orissa was conquered by the Afghan Nawab of Bengal and the temple was attacked by the Afgan General ‘Kalapahad’. Then, an independent Khurda kingdom was established by Ramachandra Deb, who assumed the management of the temple. He consecrated the temple and reinstalled the deities. Raja Mansingh, a General of the Mughal King Akbar, defeated the Afghans and annexed Orissa in to the Mughal dominion. It remained under the Mughals till 1751 A.D. Till 1760, the temple continued under the Khurda Raja, who was paying tribute to Mughals and Marhattas. Marhattas took up direct management of the temple till 1803. The Britishers annexed Orissa into British empire in 1803 and allowed Puri Raja to manage the temple. The position continued till 1947.

Bharat bandh not a solution: government

Sun, Jul 4 03:45 PM

New Delhi, July 4 (IANS) With the opposition gearing up to enforce a nationwide shutdown against rising prices and the fuel price hike, the government justified the increase in fuel costs and said a strike was ‘not a solution’.

In newspapers advertisements, the ministry of petroleum and natural gas said the ‘Bharat bandh in not a solution’.

It said the government will have to ‘bear a financial burden of Rs.53,000 crore’ even after the price increase, and added that 80 percent of the country’s crude oil requirements was met through imports.

‘The volatility in international oil prices is bound to affect domestic prices,’ the advertisement read.

The government said the price of a cooking gas cylinder ‘required an increase of Rs.261′ to match with the international price hike.

But it ‘actually has been increased by Rs.35 only, which means that there is an increase of less than one rupee per day per family’.

It said that among the oil importing countries, India’s cooking gas and kerosene prices ‘are the lowest’.

A gas cylinder costs Rs.577 in Pakistan, Rs.537 in Bangladesh. Rs.822 in Sri Lanka, Rs.782 in Nepal as compared to Rs.345 in India.

Likewise, one litre of kerosene costs Rs.35.97 in Pakisan, Rs.29 in Bangladesh. Rs.21 in Sri Lanka, Rs.39 in Nepal as compared to Rs.12.32 in India.

It also said even when the international crude prices crossed $140 per barrel, ‘we maintained the supply of petroleum products at affordable rates’.

‘Small price paid today, will reap big benefits tomorrow,’ the advertisement said in bold letters.

The advertisement comes as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance and the Left parties have called separate strikes Monday seeking a rollback in fuel prices.

But the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government has made it clear it will not reverse its decision.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also said he had only read the views of the opposition parties, but as far as he was concerned the people would appreciate the government’s compulsions to undertake this measure.

‘Our people are wise enough to understand that excessive populism should not be allowed to derail the progress our country is making, and for which it is winning kudos internationally as well,’ the prime minister had told reporters earlier this week.