76. I. EASTERN GATE/ SIMHADWAR (Lion Gate)

Four Gates of Lord Jagannath Temple:

There are 4 gates to enter into the great temple.

4 entrance gates facing the cardinal directions serve as passage ways for pilgrims. These gates are part of the 20-foot-high outer wall. During the 14th or 15th century, this wall was constructed all around the temple to ward off Muslim invaders.

I. EASTERN GATE/ SIMHADWAR (Lion Gate):

It is situated on the east. Generally, people enter into the temple through this gate. Huge figures of two lions made of sandstone are placed at both sides of the entrance, for which the gate is known as Simhadwar.

1. Aruna Stambha (Sun Pillar):

There is a pillar named Aruna-stambha infront of this gate.

This expertly carved, 34 foot high, sixteen-sided monolithic pillar, which formerly graced the Sun Temple in Konark, stands directly outside the Lion Gate on Grand Road. This single-stone column supports a figure of Aruna, the elder brother of Garuda and the charioteer of the Sun God Suryadeva. This used to be in front of the Sun Temple in Konark. It was brought to Puri during the 18th century.

You should stand behind this pillar, respectively gaze at the Nila-cakra and flags billowing atop Jagannath's temple, and then offer your humble obeisances.

2. Patita Pavana Jagannath:

Immediately to the right as one enters the Simha-dvara gate one sees a deity of Lord Jagannath known as Patita-pāvana (saviour of the most fallen).

It is recorded that Puri king Ramachandradeva (1732-1743) was forced by a political situation to marry a relative of a Muslim general. Because the king married a non-Hindu, he was outcast from Hindu society and was no longer allowed to enter the Jagannath temple. Hence Patita-pavana Jagannath was installed so King Ramachandradeva and others who were not allowed entrance could still have the Lord's darsana. There is also a Dasavatāra sculpture above the threshold, a row of small figures portraying the 10 main incarnations of Lord Vishņu.

Since this deity can be viewed from the street outside the Lion Gate, non- Hindus can also receive the full blessings of Jagannatha Swami by seeing Him here. In this regard, one disciple said that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura did not like to go too near Lord Jagannath for darsana. He even said once. "It is better to see Patita Pavana Jagannath just at the outside of the temple at the Lion Gate." (Lion Guru).

Note:

Non-Hindus can get a good view inside the temple precincts from the rooftop of the Emar Matha building (aka Raghunandana Library) located directly opposite the Lion Gate. As you climb the stairs you will pass through the library and have to pay 10 rupees for the view if the librarian is awake.

3. Fate Hanuman-murti:

It is situated on the left just opposite Patita Pavana Jagannath.

4. Baisi Pahaca:

22 steps leading up from the Lion Gate to the main compound. You should humbly touch these stairs, sanctified by the lotus feet of Jagannatha deva, Lord Gauranga and all Their bhaktas, and put the dust on your forehead before treading forth. The steps are sanctified because Jagannath, Baladeva, Subhadra and Sudarsana pass over them during Ratha- yatra. After climbing the steps, devotees enter the inner compound.

5. Ramachandra Temple:

Upon reaching the top of the stairs, turn left and it is just on your left. The Ramayana is being continually recited in front of the temple.

6. Gaudiya Nrsimha Temple:

On the left just next to Ramachandra temple. Before entering Jagannath's temple, Gaudiya Vaishnavas stop here to worship and pray to Nrsimhadeva to cleanse their hearts so they can view Jagannatha Swami with the eyes of pure love. Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami describes that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to offer obeisances to Lord Nrsimha before going to the Jagannath temple, and recite Nrsimha arati prayers.

Various Pastimes at Lion Gate/Simha Dwara:

Many of Sri Chaitanya's pastimes took place in the area around the Lion Gate including; yearly Ratha-Yatra and Hera Panchami festival. 

1. Hera Panchami Festival: 

(Occurs right at the Lion Gate) 

When Lord Jagannath starts His car festival, He gives assurance to the goddess of fortune, that He will return the next day. When He does not return, the goddess of fortune, after waiting 2 or 3 days, begins to feel that Her husband has neglected her. She naturally becomes quite angry. 

Gorgeously decorating herself, she comes out of the temple and stands before the main gate (Lion Gate). All the principal servants of Lord Jagannath are arrested by Her maidservants, brought before Her and forced to fall down at Her feet.

The Hera-Panchami festival takes place 5 days after the Ratha-Yatra festival. The word Hera, means "to see", and refers to the goddess of fortune going to see Lord Jagannath. The word Panchami, means "the 5th day" and is used because this festival occurs on the 5th day of the moon. (M14/106-233)

2. Gatekeeper Shows Krishna to Sri Chaitanya: 

Lord Chaitanya asked the gatekeeper, "Where is Krishna, My life and soul? Please show Me Krishna..." The gatekeeper replied, The son of Nanda maharaj is here; please come along with me, and I shall show you." As Sri Chaitanya looked upon Lord Jagannath, He saw that Lord Jagannath had become Lord Krishna, with His flute in His mouth. (Ant 16/80-87)

3. Ditch for Sri Chaitanya's foot bath: 

On the Northern side of the Lion Gate, behind the door, there are 22 steps leading to the temple, and at the bottom of those steps is a ditch. Sri Chaitanya would wash His feet here, and then enter the temple to see Lord Jagannath. One devotee, named Kalidas, violated Sri Chaitanya's strict order and drank three palmfuls of that transcendental water.

By rendering service to these three (the dust of devotee's feet, water that washed His feet, and a devotees' food remnants) one attains the supreme goal of ecstatic love for Krishna. In all the revealed scriptures this is loudly declared again and again. (Ant 16/39-64).

4. Lord Chaitanya's Tortoise Pastime: 

In great ecstasy, Sri Chaitanya escaped His locked room at the Gambhira. He went to a cow shed on the southern side of the Lion Gate, and fell unconscious among the cows. His arms and legs entered the trunk of His body, exactly like those of a tortoise. The Lord's body resembled a large pumpkin. Externally, He was completely inert, but within He felt overwhelming transcendental bliss.

All the cows were sniffing the Lord's transcendental body. When the devotees arrived, they tried to check the cows, but they refused to give up their association with Sri Chaitanya. Unable to arouse the Lord, the devotees carried Him back home. He eventually regained consciousness, and His arms and legs came out of His body, and His body returned to normal.

Then Lord Chaitanya related now He was seeing Krishna and the gopis enjoying all kinds of pastimes like laughing and joking together. Then in ecstasy, Lord Chaitanya recited beautiful verses about the 4 transcendental sounds produced by Krishna that attract everyone. The four sounds are; Krishna's flute, words, voice, ankle bells and bangles. (Ant 17/11-48)

5. Lord Chaitanya lies in ecstasy: 

Leaving the Gambhira unnoticed through 3 locked doors, Sri Chaitanya fell down in ecstacy in a corner by the northern side of the Lion Gate. Finding His body completely physically transformed, the devotees were very anxious and unhappy.

They loudly chanted Hare Krishna into His ear until He suddenly jumped up shouting. "Hari Bol". Then His body resumed its normal features. (Ant14/60-71)

6. Lord Chaitanya begs shopkeepers: 

After circumambulating Haridas Thakur's Samadhi, Sri Chaitanya went to the Lion Gate to beg for prasada from all the shopkeepers. "I am begging for a prasada for a festival honoring the passing away of Haridas Thakur, Please give Me alms." The shopkeepers immediately came forward with big baskets of prasadam. (Ant11/72-8)

7. Meeting Place For Arriving Bengali Vaishnavas: 

When the devotees finally reached the Lion Gate, Sri Chaitanya personally went to meet them. Together they visited the temple of Jagannath. Then beginning from the right side of the Lion Gate, or the main gate, all the Vaishnavas began to proceed towards Lord Chaitanya's residence at Kashi Mishra's house. (Ant4/126, M16/43, M11/125) 

8. King Prataparudra sweeps the road in front of Lord Jagannath's cart every year before the chariot festival at this spot. 

9. Srila Sanatana goswami to Lord Chaitanya:

"I have no right to pass by the Lion Gate, for the servants of Lord Jagannath are always coming and going there." Considering himself fallen, Sanatana Goswami did not enter the temple or even travel on the path in front of the Lion Gate. He was afraid of contaminating one of the priests by accidentally touching them.

10. Srila Raghunatha das goswami at Lion Gate: 

After finishing their prescribed duties, the many servants of Lord Jagannath return home at night. If they see a Vaishnava standing at the Lion Gate begging alms, out of mercy they arrange with the shopkeepers to given him something to eat. 

Thus it is the custom for all time, that a devotee who has no other means of support stands at the Lion Gate to receive alms from the servants.

Raghunatha das goswami used to stand here at Lion Gate and beg alms like this, and Lord Chaitanya was pleased by his renunciation. Later he gave up standing here and begged alms from the charity booths. This further satisfied Sri Chaitanya.

Lord Jagannath's prasada is sold by shopkeepers, and that which is not sold decomposes after 2-3 days. All the decomposed food is thrown to the cows at the Lion Gate. Because of the rotten odor, even cows cannot eat it. But Raghunatha das goswami would collect that rotten rice, wash and eat it. Lord Chaitanya was so pleased by this supreme renunciation. He came to see him and also ate some of that rice. (Ant6/215-233, 286-87, 315-25)