Jagannath Temple is a well-known temple and one of the holiest places visited by Hindu pilgrims on their Char Dham pilgrimage. Every year, on the occasion of the Rath Yatra, the temple’s deities visit their Mausi maa riding Rath. Even though deity statues in different temples are metallic or made of stone, the figure of Lord Jagannath is made of wood. However, do you know that this Jagannath Temple holds a mystery?
This iconic Jagannath Temple in Puri holds a special place of honor for the devotees. It is one of India’s Char Dham pilgrimage sites and the annual Rath Yatra chariot event. According to mythology, King Indradyumn established this sacred sanctuary. Lord Vishnu appeared in his dreams and blessed him with Nila Madhava in his visions.
Mystical occurrence Shrouded the Idol of Jagannath Dev
Shrouded in mystery, the essence of the idols in Jagannath Temple attracts thousands of people. Freshly wooden sculptures of the deities are reposed in the temple after every 8th, 12th, or 19th year. The authorities turned off electricity to the entire city and engaged a massive security perimeter around the temple. No one can enter the temple on that day. The chief priest of Jagannath temple alters these idols. However, he couldn’t just walk into the temple.
The priest enters the dark temple blindfolded. No one, not even the priest, can watch this program. When the priest replaces the body of the gods, he extracts some Brahma essence from the inside of the old idol and replaces it with the new one. The priest also has to wear gloves so that he does touch them when transferring the old idol to the new one. This custom dates back to the temple era and continues to this day.
Taking the Brahma essence in hand appears like a live entity leaping like a rabbit. According to the priests who have performed this work, no one knows what it is. According to legend, Krishna’s body united with the five hypotheses after he left his body. A portion of his heart remained alive and in a state after he departed his body. Everyone claims that Sri Krishna’s heart is still safe inside Sri Jagannath’s idol and that it is still cutting.
The soul of Sri Krishna, which is still alive today, is placed in the form of Brahma’s essence when changing the sculpture. Many people believe that anyone who sees this will die soon. That is why the event’s privacy has been preserved to such an extent.
The Mystery of Singhadwaram at Jagannath Temple
Nestled on the seashore, Jagannath Temple is a sight to behold. The Lion Door is one of the several entrances to this temple. Being near the seawater, visitors can hear the roar of the Bay of Bengal from the temple. However, when they visit through the Simhadwaram, the sound of running water stops.
The sound of water stops when one takes one step inside the entrance. Inside the temple, there is no sound. No one has been able to determine whether it is named Jagannath Dev’s Maya or scientific fiction at this moment.
A Forbidden Flying Ground
You might be surprised to know that no birds or planes fly above the shrine. In contrast, such a feature is uncommon in any other Indian temple. The location is a no-fly zone. Many people believe that some divine force restricts planes and birds for flying above the temple. This phenomenon, too, appears to be without explanation. It’s still a mystery to me.
The secret to not reading Jagannath temple’s shadow at any time in daylight. The temple is built in such a way that it does not cast any shadows at any time of day. It’s still unclear if this is a technical marvel or a phenomenon of supernatural intervention.
The Myth of Sudarshan Chakra
The chakra itself is 20 feet tall and weighs a tonne. It is attached to the temple. But what’s fascinating about this chakra is that it can be seen everywhere in Puri. The engineering puzzle around the placement and location of chakras remains a mystery since you can always feel the chakra facing you, regardless of your position.
The Prasadam at the Jagannath Temple
Nothing is thrown away in Jagannath Temple. Records show that 2,000 to 20,000 worshipers attend the shrine on a day. However, the amount of prasad prepared in the temple remains constant throughout the year. The delicious prasad is always sufficient for the devotees no matter the day. The seven vessels tacked one on top of the other are cooked on an open fire.
Conclusion
Puri Jagannath Temple Odisha is known as the land of Lord Jagannath, meaning the Lord of the Universe. Shree Jagannath Temple of Puri is one of the most important temples dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Vishnu, in Puri in the state of Odisha.