5/5 Anoop S. 8 months ago on Google
Lord
Jagannath
is
a
revered
deity
in
Hinduism,
particularly
worshipped
in
the
state
of
Odisha,
India.
The
term
"Jagannath"
means
"Lord
of
the
Universe,"
and
the
main
temple
dedicated
to
Him
is
known
as
the
Jagannath
Temple.
This
magnificent
temple
is
located
in
the
city
of
Puri,
on
the
eastern
coast
of
India.
History
and
Origin:
The
history
of
the
Jagannath
Temple
dates
back
to
ancient
times,
and
its
exact
origins
are
shrouded
in
myth
and
legends.
According
to
Hindu
mythology,
Lord
Jagannath
is
considered
an
incarnation
of
Lord
Vishnu,
along
with
His
siblings,
Lord
Balabhadra
(Balarama)
and
Devi
Subhadra
(Subhadra
Devi).
The
deities
are
unique
in
their
appearance,
with
large,
wooden
idols
that
are
distinct
from
traditional
Hindu
temple
sculptures.
One
popular
legend
regarding
the
origin
of
the
Jagannath
Temple
is
the
story
of
King
Indradyumna.
It
is
said
that
the
King
had
a
divine
vision
instructing
him
to
create
and
install
the
idols
of
Lord
Jagannath,
Lord
Balabhadra,
and
Devi
Subhadra
in
Puri.
However,
the
idols
were
to
be
carved
from
a
specific
type
of
wood,
and
the
Lord's
chosen
sculptor,
Visvakarma,
could
only
work
on
the
condition
that
he
would
not
be
disturbed
until
the
idols
were
completed.
Unfortunately,
the
King's
impatience
got
the
better
of
him,
and
he
peeked
into
the
workshop
before
the
idols
were
finished.
As
a
result,
the
idols
were
left
incomplete,
with
no
hands.
Despite
this,
they
were
still
installed
in
the
temple
and
are
worshipped
with
great
devotion.
The
Temple
and
Its
Rituals:
The
Jagannath
Temple
is
an
architectural
marvel
and
an
important
pilgrimage
destination
for
Hindus.
The
temple
complex
covers
a
vast
area
and
includes
numerous
smaller
temples
and
shrines
within
its
boundaries.
The
main
temple
tower,
known
as
the
"Vimana,"
rises
high
above
and
is
visible
from
a
distance.
One
of
the
most
unique
and
famous
rituals
associated
with
the
Jagannath
Temple
is
the
Rath
Yatra,
also
known
as
the
Chariot
Festival.
During
this
grand
event,
the
three
deities
are
taken
out
of
the
temple
in
huge,
lavishly
decorated
chariots
and
pulled
by
thousands
of
devotees
through
the
streets
of
Puri.
The
Rath
Yatra
attracts
millions
of
devotees
from
all
over
the
world,
making
it
one
of
the
largest
religious
gatherings.
The
temple
follows
elaborate
daily
rituals,
and
the
deities
undergo
a
series
of
daily
services
and
offerings.
Each
day,
the
gods
are
served
six
meals,
known
as
"Mahaprasad,"
which
holds
great
significance
and
is
believed
to
be
divine
and
purifying.
The
temple
is
also
famous
for
its
strict
traditions
regarding
the
entry
of
non-Hindus.
Only
Hindus
are
allowed
inside
the
temple
premises,
and
even
Hindus
of
other
castes
have
limited
access
to
certain
areas.
The
Jagannath
Temple
holds
deep
spiritual
and
cultural
significance
for
the
people
of
Odisha
and
India,
attracting
countless
devotees
and
visitors
seeking
the
blessings
of
Lord
Jagannath
and
an
experience
of
profound
devotion
and
faith.
