Sri Jagannath temple

In News: The draft architectural plan and design of the Sri Jagannath temple heritage corridor project with an estimated cost of Rs 3,200 crore was given the green signal by the temple managing committee on Sunday.

Jagannath Temple in Puri

• The Jagannath Temple in Puri was called the “White Pagoda”.
• The temple is a part of Char Dham (Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri, Rameswaram) pilgrimages that a Hindu is expected to make in one’s lifetime.
• When most of the deities in the temples of India are made of stone or metal, the idol of Jagannatha is made of wood which is ceremoniously replaced in every twelve or nineteen years by using sacred trees.
• The temple is believed to be constructed in the 12th century by King Anatavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
• The temple is famous for its annual Ratha Yatra or Chariot festival, in which the three principal deities (Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra) are pulled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars
• Jagannath Puri temple is called ‘Yamanika Tirtha’ where, according to the Hindu beliefs, the power of ‘Yama’, the god of death has been nullified in Puri due to the presence of Lord Jagannath.

Architecture Jagannath Temple in Puri

Nila Chakra

• Nila Chakra is located on the top of the temple and a different flag, each named as Patita Pavana, is hoisted on the chakra daily. The chakra has eight spokes called Navagunjaras. The chakra was made by an alloy of eight metals also known as Ashtadhatu.

Singhdwara

• There are four gates to enter the temple and one of them is Singhdwara which is a Sanskrit word which means Lion Gate. There are statues of two lions one on each side of the gate. People can enter the temple through the staircase of 22 steps which is known as Baisi Pahacha.
• There is an image of Lord Jagannath which is painted on the right side of the entrance and is known as Patitapavana. 

• This image was made for untouchables who were allowed to pray to the image of the lord from outside but cannot enter the temple.

Arun Stambha

• Arun Stambh is situated in front of the Singdwara. The pillar is sixteen-sided and is monolithic. Idol of Arun can be found here who drives the chariot of Sun god. 
• Arun Stambh was previously located at Konark temple but was brought here by Guru Brahamachari Gosain.

Hathidwara, Vyaghradwara, and Ashwadwara

• Hathidwara, Vyaghradwara, and Ashwadwara are the three other entrances from where people can enter the temple.
•  Hathidwara is also known as elephant gate, Vyaghradwara as tiger gate, and Ashwadwara as horse gate. 
• The gates are named so as they are guarded by elephant, tiger, and horse respectively.

Mukti Mandapa

• Mukti Mandapa is a platform made with granite and its height is five feet. The square-shaped mandapa covers an area of 900 square feet. The roof of the mandapa is supported by twelve pillars out of which four are built in the middle. 

Dola Mandapa

• Dola Mandapa is used to make a swing on which idol of Dologobinda is placed. The swing is made during the annual Dol yatra. The mandapa is carved by using Torana and it is the same arch on which the swing is hanged.

Vimala Temple

• There are many minor temples in the precincts of Jagannath Temple and Vimala temple is one of them. 
• Hindu mythology says that the feet of Goddess Sati has fallen on the spot where the temple is constructed. 
• The food offered to Lord Jagannath is also offered to goddess Vimala then it is called Mahaprasad.

Mahalaxmi Temple

• Many rituals are performed in Jagannath temple and the Mahalaxmi Temple plays an important role because preparation of the food to be offered to Lord Jagannath is supervised by Mahalaxmi. The food is known as Naivedya.