The Jagannath Culture Impacts every Citizen of Odisha

Odisha may be known as an economically backward State but it has carved a space for itself as a culturally rich State. The factor that is responsible for this elevation is Lord Jagannath and the traditions associated with the Puri Temples. This makes Odisha to be better known as the Land of Jagannath. In Odisha, Emperor Ashok, who fought a bloody war in 261 BC, known as the Kalinga war, was converted from Chandashoka to Dharmashoka.

During the first century B.C., Odishan emperor Kharavela enhanced the reputation of the land by winning battles and expanding territorial limits of the state. Throughout history, Odisha has been a suitable place for intellectual and spiritual attainments. Furthermore, the state was a meeting place of Hindus, Buddhists and Jains and had created a credible climate to systematise and assimilate the essence of these three spiritually intellectual belief orders.

According to various research studies, the earliest references about Lord Jagannath are found in different puranic literatures. Jagannath binds all denominations like Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. Pandit Nilakantha Das opined that the three deities Balabhadra, Subhadra and Jagannath represent the Jaina Trinity of Samyakjnana, Samyakcharita and Samyakdristi. Similarly the daru connection available in the Rigveda and Atharva Veda hint towards vedic origin of Jagannath. Adikabi Sarala Das found in the three deities the replica of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswar, Subhadra representing Brahma, and Vishnu and Maheswar are presented as Jagannath and Balabhadra. But according to the Vaishnabas these deities are puranic deities who are Balabhadra and Jagannath representing Balarama and Krishna with their sister Subhadra. Buddhist scholars opine that three deities represent three Ratnas— Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. They say that the image of Jagannath contains a relic of Lord Buddha. The scholars observed that the world famous Rath Jatra resembles the Buddhist festivals which became popular during Gupta Age. The Jainas claim that the existence of Kalpabata, Nilachakra and the affix ‘Nath’ as well as ‘Purushottam Vada’ are the contributions of Jainism to Jagannath tradition. Thus, Jagannath, the very name, provides the idea that ‘He’ is an institution of diverse beliefs. It is a splendid synthesis of diverse beliefs and a meeting place of various views of philosophy. It has been accepted that Jagannath is a resultant composite of many divine concepts and gods.

Nilachal, Sri-Khetra or Purusottama Puri have been famous for thousands of years as the seat of Lord Jagannath, historicity of which is as mysterious as the life of the earth. Nobody knows how, when and why it originated. Most probably Jagannath was a tribal deity in the Prehistoric Period. Buddhism had its influence on Jagannath to such an extent that Jagannath in ancient times is described as incarnation of Buddha who has been accepted as an Avatara of Vishnu by Jayadeva. Shankaracharya and Ramanuja established their centres (Maths) at Puri and have their influences on the worship of Lord Jagannath. But Jagannath fame has not only contained to India, but also in the western countries and some communist countries.

Rituals of Sri Jagannath temple are quite different from the ritual system of Puja of offering performed in other temples. It is an accumulation of many traditions and systems. Sri Jagannath is the apostle of humanism, a tradition of universal brotherhood, love, tolerance, equality and fraternity. The tradition of Jagannath is not a sectarian religion but a cosmopolitan philosophy. The Jagannath tradition has embraced all types of spiritual thought starting from primitive Savara tribal to ultra modern Krishna consciousness. Jagannath tradition is a pleasant synthesis of Vaishnavism, Saktism, Saivism and other sects of Hinduism.

The term Jagannath etymologically means the Lord of the Universe, that is, the supreme deity of the world communities. There can be no more convincing symbolic representation of whole world concept as in the holy trio of Jagannatha. All divergent communities subscribing to different beliefs and philosophies have been inextricably blended into one. No other religious mechanism could have achieved so much socio-religious cohesion and socialistic approach. Starting from socialist philosophy to universal brotherhood, nationalistic ideal to patriotism, devotion, dedication and perseverance all have been merged within the vast ocean of religious conviction and consciousness. The tradition is based upon ideals of democracy, humanitarian principle of equality honesty and integrity. He is rightly required as a symbol of national integration.

The sacred place of Puri has assumed increasing prominence through the ages as one of the four famous Dhams, others being Badrinath in the North, Dwaraka in the West and Rameswaram in the South. It was recognised by Adi Shankaracharya as one of the eminent places of pilgrimage in the eighth century A.D. Puri assumed more and more importance as a great Vaishnava.

Acharyas like Sri Ramanuja, Sri Vishnuswami, Sri Nimbark and Sri Madhavacharya visited this place. Subsequently, it was visited by great saints namely Nanak, Kabir, Sri Chaitanya and so on. It was compared with Kashi, Mathura, Vrindavan, Ujjain, Prayag, Gaya, Ayodhya and other sites of pilgrimage.

The art, literature and music of Odisha are influenced immensely by Jagannath culture. The traditional Mahari dance, Odishi dance, classical songs, are mostly developed under the influence of Lord Jagannath. Many poems and fictions are also written under the influence of Jagannath culture. Mahaprasad has acquired a special and significant position in the life of Odisha. Even Muslim devotees Santha Kabir, Jaban Haridas and many others have attached great sanctity to Mahaprasad which is otherwise called ‘Annabrahma’. The cookery of Srimandir is known as the largest cooking system. The sanctity of this holy food is boundless and it is known as a sacred bond between gods and the people. It is interesting to note that Mahaprasad is not only delicious, but also enjoyed by all irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Especially newly formed bondages of marriages are solemnised by Mahaprasad. The Mahaprasad is prepared daily many times inside the temple very scientifically.

It is thus found that the Jagannath culture has had a great impact on the socio religious and economic life of Odisha people. A deep sanctity and significance is attached to the culture of Lord Jagannath not only by Hindus, but also by many people belonging to other religions. Lord Jagannath is not only the presiding deity, but also his temple is regarded as the nerve centre controlling all aspects and spheres of Odia people. The process of gradual assimilation of various traditions and creeds into formation of Sri Jagannath culture need multi-disciplinary analysis of socio religions aspects of such a comprehensive culture. Ratha Jatra, the famous festival of Lord Jagannath has now become a global festival. In more than 115 countries of the world the Rath Jatra is held. It attracts multitude of visitors from all over the world transcending all barriers of caste, creed and colour.