Jay Jagannath - Origin
Lord Jagannath was discovered by a clever Brahmin named Vidyapati who was blindfolded to visit the lord's cave in a dense forest but could managed to retrace the path by sprinkling mustard seeds on his way and with the help of king Indradyumna he managed to vanish with the GOD.
The present day God Lord Jagannath originally manifested in Purusottama-kshetra “Nila Kandara” as a giant sapphire gem stoned avatar called “Nilmani” or vigraha named “Neelamdhava”.
About King Indradyumna found a mysterious old Brahmin carpenter who requested responsibility of carving lord's figure on a sandal wood log, but insisted that he would not be disturbed while he was carving the deity. After 7 days and all sounds stopped from the room, king force opened the room to discover the old man missing and GOD half made.
When Kala pahad attacked .... the brahmapinda or the core saligram stone (considered a sacred stone that is alive) had been removed from the idols beforehand by the priests who had anticipated the attack and had been hidden at Sonpur.
56 Bhog
Daily 56 types of Bhog are prepared in different phases, on special occasions and during festivals the number of items increases. Abadha : the mysterious prasadam of Lord Jagannath has such unique name as it is never served, it is made using earthen soiled pots kept one over the other on an earthen furnace..... amazingly the topmost pot being cooked first and then the next below. Believe it or not.
The Jagannath temple kitchen at Puri is reputed to be the largest kitchen in the world, with 400 cooks working around 200 hearths to feed over 10,000 people each day.
The Temple
The Sri Jagannath Temple at Puri and all surrounding structures inside meghanada pacheri are not made at the same time. History shows that the three parts of the temple are also made during three different times by several rulers as per the time demanded. the meghanada pacheri was made by Marhatta rulers to protect the temple against tough see waves. All other miscellaneous temples in the bedha are made during various periods by several rulers.
The Bhogamandapa in Sri Jagannath Temple, Puri was originally a part of the Konark temple complex. It was dismantled and reassembled by the Marathas in the 18th century.
Garuda Stambha : The 16 sided monolithic pillar measuring 11 meters in height .Originally it was not there at Sri Jagannath Temple Puri. It stood in front of the famous Sun Temple at Konark and in the 18th century Marathas when ruled Orissa they dragged the Garuda Stambha thru sea shore till Puri Jagannath Temple.
Present day structure of Sri Janagnnath Temple Puri was not the Original built up. Originally Indradyumna had constructed only the main temple. Kings and rulers in subsequent times added Meghanada Pacheri, Mukha sala, Nata Mandapa and other assets to the Temple Complex.
Ratna Muda is the top portion of the temple structure.... that has a miraculous magnetic power within which stabilizes and sustains the electro magnetic changes and forces acting upon it due to the geostationary location and erection.
Garva Muda, the most mysterious part of the temple is said to have storing the precious jewelleries of the Lord, protected and secured by venomous snakes and hevenly divine souls.
All Religions' God
Lord Jagannath is not only considered as a Hindu GOD. His devotees include personalities of all religions, casts and races. Bhakta Salabeg being Muslim was one among the most eminent devotees of Lord Jagannath, Mohammed Aziz is famous for Lord Jagannath Bhajans. Behind the main temple inside Sri Jagannath Temple Complex, there is another significant small replica of the whole temple. There is a huge Cross installed at the rear of the temple evidence to Lord being visited by Jejus Christ. Budha had been a great devotee of Lord Jagannath, Even Lord Jagannath had been the most admired god for Guru Nanak.
Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival)
Chariot Festival at Puri was initially performed with 2 sets of chariots ( A total of 6 Chariots ). As there was a river flowing thru in between Sri Mandira and Mausi maa temple, the first set of chariots were used to bring the lords till the river, then lords had to ferry across the river in three giant wooden boats and aboard the other set of chariots till Mausi maa temple. Amazing but true.
