80. Tour of Main Jagannath Temple

Tour of Main Jagannath Temple:

The four sections of Jagannatha Swami's temple are listed here in the sequence you will see upon entering from the east side through the Lion Gate (Simha-dvara). The following entry beautifully describes the transcendental ambience one experiences within the sacred space of the Supreme Lord Jagannath.

"While approaching the innermost sanctuary (Garbha Grha) of the Jagannath Temple through the various halls and past the many pillars and carved panels, a devotee is subtly influenced by the sacredness of the architecture. He finds himself enclosed with the Supreme Lord in a dim, soothing atmosphere. His eyes find rest after the fierce light of the day outside. Not only is the lighting dim, but the air is filled with the scent of flowers, burning oil lamps and incense coming from the sanctuary. Gradually, his mood calms and his spiritual feelings are awakened as he approaches the deities."

According to Vedic scriptures, the doors and the deities are closely related. The divinity to whom the temple is dedicated resides in the garbha-grha, the inner sanctum of the “Deula”. Stationed below, to the left and right of the door jambs, are the dvara-palas, or gatekeepers. The door is the sacred entrance through which man enters into the presence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. To enter such a divine atmosphere properly, a transformation of consciousness must take place. It is believed that only when the devotee has acquired a celestial body is he qualified to pass into the company of the Supreme Lord. This transformation or regeneration is promoted by the divinities carved on the door jambs."

Different parts of the temple:

The temple is divided into 4 parts

1. Biman or Srivatsa-Khandasal temple

2. Jagamohan

3. Porch or Natamandir

4. Bhogamandap

The deities are installed inside the tall “Rekha type” temple known as “Biman” and the “Pidha type” temples in its front are respectively known as “Jagamohan or Mukhasala, Natamandir and Bhogamandap”.

There is a courtyard around the main shrine (consisting of the 4 structures described above). The pilgrims go round the temple along this courtyard. This area is known as “Bhitar- Bedha” (inner enclosure). The shape of this courtyard resembles a “Kurma” (tortoise), it is also called “Kurma-Bedha”. Besides the main temple of Jagannath, smaller temples of different gods and goddesses are also found within this courtyard. This courtyard is enclosed by a wall called "Kurma Pacheri". Outside the wall there is “Bahar Bedha” or outer enclosure. The Bhog market, the kitchen, the flower garden etc. of the temple lie within this outer enclosure. There is a strong compound wall around the temple complex. This wall is known as "Meghanad Pacheri". The height of the wall is 22 ft. and it is 6 ft 5 inches thick.

JAY-VIJAY DWAR:

One may enter Mukhasala by this door. The door frames are richly carved. The figures of Jay and Vijay are found painted on the walls of both sides, but their images are not placed at the door. The usual worship of the door-keepers is performed here everyday. Jay and Vijay are regarded as guards of the Ratna Simhasan. A few inscriptions of the Gajapati kings of Orissa are found inscribed on both sides of the entrance.

KALAGHATA DWAR:

This door is found between Bahar Gambhira or Mukhasala and Ratna Simhasan. The devotees approach Ratna Simhasan after crossing this door. The sanctity of this door has been praised highly in the religious texts of Orissa.

1. Bimana (Bada Deula or Garbha Grha):

Bimana in architectural texts, is locally known as “Bada Deul”. The interior is called Bhitar Gambhira. Inside this structure is the inner sanctum or main altar (ratna simhasana/the jewelled throne) on which Sri Jagannath is seated in His four-fold form (Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarsan)

RATNA SIMHASAN/ALTAR:

It is situated in the middle of Bhitar Gambhira. It has been mentioned in Mahabharat by the name “Antarvedi”. Ratna Simhasan is the most sacred place in the entire Purushottama Kshetra. It is said to contain one lakh Salagram stones buried underneath. Tantric Sriyantra has been drawn on this throne on which the images of Balabhadra in the left, Subhadra in the middle and Jagannath in the right are installed, who are white, yellow, and black respectively. The post-like image of Sudarshan, the wooden image of Madhav, the metallic images of Lakshmi and Saraswati are placed by the side of Jagannath. There is a circumambulating path (Parikrama) around this throne. Going round and touching the Ratna Simhasan earn salvation (Moksa) for the devotee. Between 8:30 and 9:30 am devotees can circumambulate the deities.

(The principal deities in the Ratna Simhasan are three and they are Balabhadra, Subhadra and Jagannath. While Jagannath is Krishna, Balabhadra is His elder brother Balaram and Subhadra is His sister. Sudarshan is the weapon of Vishnu- Krishna. It is also mentioned in the Puranas that the Supreme God Himself has assumed all the 4 forms (Chaturdha Murti))

Lord Jagannath:

“Being absolute, Lord Jagannath is identical in person, form, picture, kirtana, and all other circumstances. If one thinks that the form of Lord Jagannath is an idol made of wood, he immediately brings ill fortune into his life... A pure devotee who knows the science of Krsna consciousness makes no distinction between Lord Jagannath and His body. He knows that they are identical just as Lord Krsna and His soul are one and the same." (Caitanya-caritamrta Antya-lila 5.118 purport)

“There is no difference between Lord Jagannath and Krsna, but here Lord Jagannath is fixed as the Absolute Person appearing in wood. Therefore, He does not move." (Ibid. 5.148)

2. Jagamohana/Mukhasala:

This is the visitors' hall or the main darsana area for pilgrims to see Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra.

Here stands the famous Garuda Stambha from where Gauranga Mahaprabhu took the daily darsana of Vrajendranandana Jagannatha deva.

While entering into the holy temple, one may come across this Jagamohan first of all. This wide hall stands on 16 pillars and each pillar presents the figures of different gods and goddesses on its 4 sides. Some such figures are also worshipped regularly. In the upper portion of Jagamohan one can find different portraits of Krishna lila and other Puranic scenes. The devotees visiting the temple assemble here to have a darsan of the deities and chant various Stotras and Mantras. The Hundi of Jagannath is also installed here and the devotees may put their donations in the shape of cash, gold etc.

Next to the main temple in a straight line is the hall of the audience. There are 4 doors. The Kalaghata-dvara door leads to the sanctum sanctorum. The southern door leads out of the temple and the northern door to the Ratna Bhandara (treasury house).

Most devotees, however, continue to the garbha-grha (sanctuary) through the passageways to circumambulate the ratna-vedi.

Garuda Stambha:

Inside the Lion Gate, in front of the temple of Lord Jagannath, along the east (back) wall of the Jagamohana, is a column on which Narayana's eagle carrier Lord Garuda is seated. It is called the Garuda Stambha. The height of the pillar is equal to that of Ratna Simhasan. Lord Garuda, who is seated on this pillar, is admiring the deity of Jagannatha deva from this vantage point above the heads of the pilgrims.

Śri Caitanya Mahaprabhu usually saw Lord Jagannath from a distance from behind this column. Behind that column is a ditch, which was filled with the tears of Lord Caitanya, and Mahaprabhu's handprint is melted into the column.

Gauranga Mahaprabhu used to stand here and offer obeisances and prayers while reeling in ecstatic bliss gazing upon saksät Vrajendranandana Jagannatha Swami.

Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami describes Sri Caitanyadeva's lilas:

garudera sannidhane,

rahi' kare darasane

se anandera ki kahiba bale

garuda-stambhera tale,

ache eka nimna khäle

se khala bharila aśru-jale

“Staying near the Garuda-stambha, Gaura-raya gazed upon Lord Jagannath. What can be said about the strength of that love? On the ground beneath the column of the Garuda-stambha was a deep ditch, which was filled with the water of Gauranga's tears." (Cc. 2.2.54)

Mahaprabhu's divine fingerprints are imprinted on the wall behind the Garuda-stambha near Bhogamandap gate.

"As Mahaprabhu viewed Lord Jagannath from behind the Garuda column, hundreds and thousands of people in front of Him were seeing Jagannatha Swami.

Suddenly, a woman from Orissa, unable to see Lord Jagannath because of the crowd, climbed the column of Garuda, placing her foot on Mahaprabhu's shoulder. When he saw this, Caitanya Mahaprabhu's personal servant, Govinda, hastily got her down from her position. Mahaprabhu, however, chastised him for this.

"Mahaprabhu said to Govinda, 'O àdi-vasya (uncivilized man), do not forbid this woman to climb the Garuda-stambha. Let her see Lord Jagannath to her satisfaction."

"When the woman came to her senses, however, she quickly climbed back down to the ground and, seeing Mahaprabhu, immediately begged pardon at His lotus feet. Seeing the woman's eagerness, Mahaprabhu said, 'Lord Jagannath has not bestowed so much eagerness upon Me. She has fully absorbed her body, mind and life in Lord Jagannath. Therefore, she was unaware that she was putting her foot on My shoulder. Alas! How fortunate this woman is...!!! I pray at her feet that she favours Me with her great eagerness to see Lord Jagannath." (Cc. 3.14.23-30)

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura always took the darsana of Jagannath from behind the Garuda- stambha.

Devotees regularly hug this pillar and offer prayers while seeing Lord Jagannath. By doing this they feel the blessings of the Lord's direct embrace. Locals say that an embrace gives relief from incurable diseases.

Garuda pillar is considered very sacred. Devotees take the bath-water of Garuda for prevention of all diseases.

Lord Gauranga Carana Mandira:

There is a small shrine containing the imprints of Sri Gauranga's lotus-feet (gauranga pada-pitha) in the courtyard of Jagannath's temple. These impressions were made in the stone floor below the Garuda Stambha when it melted from contacting the ecstasy surcharged lotus feet of Mahaprabhu as He beheld Jagannatha deva in the rapture of divine love. Later the stone was enshrined here.

3. Näta Mandira (Nata-mandapa) - Temple of Dance:

This is a spacious music and dance hall measuring (21m by 20m). This structure is known in the architectural texts as Jagamohan and Mukhasala, while it is called Bahar Gambhira in local terms.

Lokeswar, the guarding deity of Ratna Bhandar (store-house of jewellery) of Jagannath is also installed here. This store house of jewellery, the stores of clothes and flowers and the bedroom of Jagannath are also located here.

Gitagovind of Jayadev is sung in this room accompanied with the dance of Devadasis (dancing girls dedicated for the service of god). So, this structure is also called Natamandir.

4. Bhoga Mandira (Bhoga Mandapa) - Temple of Offerings:

This structure was built by Gajapati Purushottama dev. It is constructed on the eastern side of the Jagamohan. This is Jagannatha Swami's spacious food offering hall (18m by 17m) situated next to Nata Mandira, which contains beautiful sculptures and paintings of Krsna-lila. Various Puranic figures, carved in black marble stones, have been fitted on the exterior walls.

During Bhogamandap rites, huge quantities of cooked rice, curries and other food preparations are placed in this room for offering.