The history of the Jagannath Puri Mandir is steeped in legend and mystery, weaving a tale of devotion and divine intervention. Dedicated to Bhagwan Jagannath, a manifestation of Bhagwan Vishnu, this sacred Hindu Mandir holds a revered place in the hearts of millions.
As per ancient legends, Bhagwan Jagannath was first worshipped as “Neela Madhava” in a forest by King Vishwavasu. Intrigued by the deity, King Intradyumna sent his Brahmin pujari, Vidyapati, to find the divine site. Vidyapati, motivated by his love for Viswavasu’s daughter, Lalita, managed to locate the concealed cave where Bhagwan Jagannath was worshipped.
Upon learning of the deity’s existence, King Indradyumna embarked on a journey to Odisha to find the murti. Despite initial setbacks, divine guidance led him to construct a Mandir atop Nilasaila, or the Blue Mountain. However, Brahma’s prolonged meditation caused the Mandir to be buried under sand.
King Indradyumna was instructed by a celestial voice to carve murtis from a floating log on the seashore. He erected a magnificent Mandir and enshrined the wooden images of Bhagwan Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra with unwavering faith. This tale of perseverance and divine intervention underscores the Jagannath Puri Mandir’s mystical aura. Despite challenges and obstacles, the Mandir stands as a symbol of devotion and spirituality, inviting pilgrims to explore the mysteries of its ancient origins and profound significance in Hindu mythology.
Mysteries of Jagannath Mandir
The Mandir has some unexplained science, miracles and mysteries. Historians, scientists, and even priests could not figure out the Jagannath Puri Mandir mystery. Let’s find out what these mysteries are:
1. Flag’s Direction
The direction of the flag atop the Mandir is one of the most fascinating Jagannath Puri mysteries. Contrary to the natural laws of wind, the flag flutters in the opposite direction. This tradition, which is over 1800 years old, involves a priest climbing the temple daily to change the flag.
Legend has it that if the ritual is neglected, the Mandir will have to remain closed for eighteen years. This breathtaking act, performed without any protective gear, adds to the Mandir’s mystique. It fascinates visitors with its divine defiance of the elements.
2. The Sudarshan Chakra
Among the enigmatic Jagannath Mandir secrets lies the Sudarshan Chakra, shrouded in mystique and wonder. Weighing a tonne, it is placed atop the Mandir without any machinery, hinting at a divine force at work.
Yet, another mystery lies in its architectural design. The Chakra presents an identical appearance from every angle, defying conventional principles. Crafted with an ancient technique, this sacred wheel holds the essence of symmetry and transcendence in its form.
3. A light with no darkness
One of the mysteries about Jagannath Mandir also includes a phenomenon that defies logic and explanation: the absence of shadows. Regardless of the time or the sun’s position, the Mandir remains untouched by shadow, casting doubt on whether it is an architectural marvel or a divine miracle. This peculiar absence of darkness adds to the Mandir’s mystique, leaving visitors pondering the unknown forces within its sacred confines.
4. Wooden murtis
Within the mysteries of Jagannath Mandir also lies a sacred tradition: the renewal of wooden murtis during Nabakalebara. Every 8, 12, or 19 years, new murtis are crafted from specially chosen neem trees and their carvings are done in secrecy. This ritual, completed within 21 days, replaces the old murtis reverently buried near Koili Vaikuntha. In 2015, millions of devotees witnessed this profound event, honouring the divine cycle of renewal and perpetuating the spiritual legacy of Jagannath Mandir’s wooden murtis.
5. Nothing flies above the Mandir
Another Jagannath Puri Mandir mystery involves a phenomenon where nothing flies above it. Unlike other Mandirs in India, no birds or planes grace the skies above this sacred site. It is as if a divine force declared it a no-fly zone, shrouded in mystery without logical explanation. This inexplicable occurrence adds to the Mandir’s mystique, captivating visitors and leaving them in awe of the unseen forces that govern the airspace above Jagannath Puri Mandir.
6. Mute Water
As soon as you step inside from the Singha Dwara entrance, the sound of ocean waves disappears entirely, especially noticeable in the evening. This silence within the Mandir walls is believed to be the fulfilment of Subhadra Mayi’s wish for peace. No scientific explanation can account for this phenomenon, leaving visitors in awe of the unseen forces that govern the Mandir’s environment. Indeed, mute water remains one of the most captivating mysteries about Jagannath Mandir.
7. Mahaprasadam in Anand bazar
Within the sanctum of Jagannath Mandir’s secrets lies the Abadha Mahaprasadam, a divine feast that is served to Bhagwan Jagannath. This sacred offering consists of 56 mouthwatering delicacies served in 5 phases. Divided into two types, sukhila and shankhudi, it consists of a range of dry confectionaries and savoury items like rice and dal. Available to devotees at Ananda Bazaar, located within the Mandir premises, the Abadha Mahaprasadam is not just a meal but a transcendent experience, offering a taste of spiritual nourishment.
8. Reverse gear of the breeze
Traditionally, the sea breezes blow towards land during the day and vice versa at night. However, Puri defies convention. Here, the winds and waters perform a silent dance, with daytime winds blowing from land to sea and evening winds from sea to land. This reversal of geographical norms adds to the Jagannath Puri mysteries, leaving visitors enchanted by the enigmatic forces that govern its serene waters.
9. Preparation of Mahaprasadam
Thousands of pujaris come together to cook the divine feast in the Mandir. They stack seven earthen pots, one atop the other, and cook the food over firewood. What’s baffling is that the food in the topmost pot cooks first, followed by the rest. This culinary riddle adds to the mysteries of Jagannath Mandir.
10. Simhadwar
As the main entrance to the Mandir, Sindhadwaram welcomes visitors with the distant sound of waves. However, the ocean’s roar mysteriously fades away upon passing through Singhadwaram and retracing one’s steps. Inside the Mandir’s sanctum, the waves’ sound vanishes completely. This perplexing phenomenon adds to the temple’s aura of wonder.
11. The Rath Yatra
The Rath Yatra is an annual procession where the murtis from Jagannath Mandir are paraded on two sets of chariots, three each. The first chariot carries the deities to the river, separating the Mandir from the Mausi Maa Mandir. Then, the murtis are transferred onto boats to cross the river. Next, the second chariot carries the deities from the river to the Mausi Maa Mandir, where special rituals are conducted. This vibrant and sacred event draws thousands of devotees, celebrating the journey of Bhagwan Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.
Architecture of Jagannath Puri Mandir
The architecture of the Mandir is truly a marvel to behold. Its classic Oriya design stands as a testament to ancient craftsmanship and devotion. The Mandir is enclosed by two imposing rectangular walls, covering an expansive area of approximately 4,00,000 square feet. The outer wall, known as Meghanada Pacheri, stands tall at 20 feet, while the inner wall, Kurma Bedha, surrounds the main Mandir, creating a sacred sanctuary.
At the heart of the Mandir rises the majestic shikhara, or tower, housing the revered deities. The Mandir comprises four distinct structures arranged in a row: the Vimana, Jagamohan (porch), Nata Mandir, and Bhoga Mandap, each exuding grandeur and spiritual significance.
Four ornate gates adorn the Mandir complex, each symbolising different animal motifs: the eastern Singhadwara (Lion Gate), southern Ashwadwara (Horse Gate), western Vyaghrasana (Tiger Gate), and northern Hastidwara (Elephant Gate). The Lion Gate on Grand Road serves as the main entrance, welcoming devotees into its sacred precincts.
Crowning the Mandir’s summit is the iconic Nila Chakra, or Blue Wheel, crafted from various metals. A new flag is ceremoniously hoisted atop this sacred wheel every day, symbolising divine protection and blessings showered upon the faithful. The architecture of Jagannath Puri Mandir stands as a timeless testament to India’s rich cultural heritage and spiritual legacy, captivating visitors with its beauty and sanctity.
Invasion on the Mandir
The Mandir has been invaded a total of 18 times! Though there’s no evidence that the main structure had ever been raged down, the wealth has been taken, murtis disfigured, and in some cases even burnt. Even when the murtis have been burnt, the “Brahma” that makes the neem tree wood murtis a living deity has always been saved by one means or the other.
1. “Raktabahu” (800 A.D.).
2. Illias Shahi (1340 A.D.): The sultan of Bengal.
3. Invasion by Feroz Shah Tughlaq (1360 A.D.).
4. Ismail Ghazi (1509 A.D.): The commander of the then Sultan of Bengal.
5. Kalapahada (1568 A.D.).
6. 6. Suleman and Osha (1592 A.D.): Suleman was the governor of Puri and osha was the general of the Bengal sultan.
7. Mirza Khurram (1601 A.D.): Was the commander of the Nawab of Bengal.
8. Hasim Khan (1608 A.D.): Was the subedar of Odisha.
9. Kesodamaru (1610 A.D.): was a Hindu Rajput who served under Hasim Khan.
10. Kalyan Mal (1611 A.D.) : One of the navaratnas in the Mughal court of Akbar.
11. Kalyan Mal (1612 A.D.): Kalyan Mal had tried to attack the Mandir at Puri twice.
12. Mukarram Khan (1617 A.D.): The governor of Odisha.
13. Mirza Ahmad Beg (1621 A.D.): The nephew of Mughal empress, Noorjahan.
14. Amir Mutaquad Khan (1645 A.D.): Also known as Mirza Makki, he became the governor of Odisha
15. Amir Fateh Khan (1647 A.D.)
16. By order of Aurangzeb (1692 A.D.): Emperor Aurangzeb issued an order to destroy the Mandir. At the time, Dibyasingha Deva ruled the kingdom of Khurda.
17. Muhammad Taqi Khan (1731 A.D. and 1733 A.D.): Taqi Khan invaded the Mandir twice.
18. By followers of Mahima Dharma (1881 A.D.): The followers of Mahima Dharma don’t believe in murti worship.
Best time to visit the Jagannath Mandir
If you are planning a visit to the Jagannath Mandir, the months of May to July might surprise you. Despite the heavy rainfall during this monsoon season, these months host some of the Mandir’s most vibrant festivals, including the famous Rath Yatra.
While the weather might not be ideal, being a part of these dazzling celebrations is an experience like no other. Just be prepared for higher prices and larger crowds as devotees from all over flock to witness the divine festivities during this auspicious time.
The traditional and cultural aspects of Bharat are incredible and invincible. This is a joint step to honouring the mysterious stories and history of Bhagwan Jagannath.
