Lord Narasimha is an avatar of the Lord Vishnu. Narasimha is often visualized as half-man/half-lion, having a human-like torso and lower body, with a lion-like face and claws. This image is widely worshipped in deity form by a significant number of Vaishnava groups. He is known primarily as the ‘Great Protector’ who specifically defends and protects his devotees in times of need. Vishnu is believed to have taken the Narsimha avatar to destroy the demon king Hiranyakashipu. Narasimha holds an important position in the Jagannath Cult. Narasimha is the guardian Deity of the temple and all the performances, from cooking…
Author: OdiaWeb Editor
The carpenters, similar to the DaitaPatis, are a ritual class of the Jagannath Temple in Puri. However, they are an independent subcaste, which is referred to as Badhei or Moharana. Their immense significance for the Jagannath Cult becomes apparent especially during the Ratha Yatra. Nowadays, the carpenters have five key areas of service in Puri. To begin with, every year, in collaboration with other craftsmen, they construct anew the three grand Chariots for the Rath Yatra. Secondly,during the Nabakalebara, they go to the forests with the Daitapati and Brahmins to supervise the felling of the four holy trees. Thirdly, during…
The Pattachitra, one of the most fascinating art form of Odisha has a tradition that goes back to 12th century. The term patta chitra has its origin from the Sanskrit. Patta means vastra or cloth and chitra means paintings. So patta chitra means paintings on cloth. The use of cloth for painting has been in vogue in India from early period. Just like the Kalighat Paintings are linked to Goddess Kali and Pichwai Paintings are linked to Lord Srinath (Nathdwara, Rajasthan), the Patta Chitra paintings are centred around the cult of Shree Jagannath. This art is considered to be as old…
During the Rath Yatra, after the deities are brought from the sanctum of the Temple to the three Rathas, various rituals are performed. Among these rituals, one of the most important is Chhera Pahanra – Brooming of the Rathas by the Gajapati Maharaj of Puri. He cleans the platforms with a golden broom, sprinkling flowers and fragrant water on the surface of the chariots. It is said, that the no force can move the chariots an inch, if the King does not broom it. The King symbolizes power, wealth, honour, influence; he is held in high esteem by the multitude.…
Salabega lived in the first half of the seventeenth century. He was born c1607-1608. He was the son of the Mughal subedar Lalbeg who was briefly in charge of Orissa at Cuttack in the early 17th century. On one of his expeditions to Puri, he was overcome with passion looking at the beauty of a Brahmin widow returning from her bath at Dandamukundapur and forcibly abducted her. Salabega was later born to this widow. It is believed that the poet suffered from some incurable ailment and through prayer to Lord Jagannatha, as advised by his mother, he was miraculously cured.…
Chandan Yatra Starts from today (Akshaya Tritiya). This auspicious day also marks the beginning of the construction of the Rathas (Chariots of Maha Prabhu). Chandan Yatra meaning Sandalwood Voyage in Sanskrit, which continues for 42 days is observed in two parts: Bahara Chandana and Bhitara Chandana. Bahara Chandana starts from Akshaya Tritiya and continues for 21 days. Bahara Chandan Yatra is performed at the Narendra Tirtha Tank. In this Yatra, the deities are taken out of the temples in procession for a holy patrol in water on boats, as it is believed that all the land ceremonies must be ended only…
We have been following Live videos of Rathyatra for last couple of years. But here is a Video clip of Rath Yatra 1961, Almost 54 Years old Video. About 5 Lakh devotees visited Puri Rath Yatra during 1961.
KadAchit kALindI taTa bipina sangIta-karabo MudAbhIrI nArI badana-kamaLa swAda-madhupa RamA, sambhurbrahmA surapati ganeshArchita pado Jagannathah swAmi nayana-pathagAmI bhabatume |1| Bhuje sabye beNum shirasi shikhipuchham kaTi taTe DukuLam netrAnte sahachara kaTAkhyam bidadhate SadA shrImad brundabana basati liLA parichayo Jagannathah swAmi nayana-pathagAmI bhabatume |2| Mahodadhi tire kanakaruchire nILashikhre Basan prAsAdAnte sahaja baLabhadreNa baLinAm SubhadrA madhyansta sakaLa surasebA basarado Jagannathah swAmi nayana-pathagAmI bhabatume |3| KrupA pArAbAra saJaLa jaLadoushreNI ruchiro RamAbANi rAma sphuradmaLa padmekhYaNa mukhah Surendrei-rArAdhyah shrutigaNa shikhA gIta charito Jagannathah swAmi nayana-pathagAmI bhabatume |4| RathA ruDho gachhan pathi miLita bhudeba paTalei stuti prAdurbhAbam pratipade mupA-karnya sadayah dayA sindhur bandhu sakaLa jagatam sindhu sutAyA…
Anasara of Lord Jagannath is a ceremony where the three deities are kept away from the public sight. The period of illness is marked when the deities are placed on the floor in front of the inner sanctum. This period is known as ‘Anasara’ or ‘Anavasara’ period initiates from Jyestha Purnima and ends with Ashadha Amavasya. During these days, the Gods stay away from the public view and there is a need for substitute deities for the public and to whom daily rituals can be offered at temple, so during this time three patta paintings of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra…
The first niti begins in the early morning with the opening of the doors of the temple. The Bhitarchu Mahapatra, a temple servitor, accompanied by palia Mekap, Pratihari, Akhanda Mekap and Muduli examines the seal put on the main door (Jaya Vijaya Dwara) by the Talicha Mahapatra on the previous night. If the seal is intact, he breaks it, unlocks the padlock and opens the door. In the same way the door of the inner sanctuary is also opened. The object of this inspection is to see that these has been no defilement of the sacred buildings in which case…