CULTURAL QUESTION and ANSWER by Gopala krishnan

[Guest guest]

Q9 What is the importance of Puri Jagannath temple and story related with it?

 

A9 Puri is one of the four dhamas, the three other dhamas being Rameshwar,

Dwaraka and Badrinath. It is called Swarga Dwara or the gate of Heaven. The

presiding deity of the temple is Jagannath, " the Lord of the world " . The other

images are those of Balaram, brother of Lord Krishna and Subhadra, sister of Sri

Krishna.

 

The following is a legend with regard to the origin of image. When Lord Krishna

was shot, his bones were left lying under the tree till some pious person placed

them in a box. Raja Indradyumna was directed to form an image and place in it

these bones. The King prayed to Viswakarma to assist him in making the image.

 

Viswakarma promised to make the image on condition that he was not disturbed.

Though the King consented he tried to see Viswakarma at work after fifteen days.

There was only one ugly image without hands or feet.

 

The image of Jagannath has circular eyes, a straight headline, a square knob on

the top and black colour. The nose is large and hooked. The mouth is crescent

shaped. The height is about 6 feet.

 

Puri priest will receive prasad even from a low-caste Hindu. Lord Jagannath

teaches here the gospel of equality and equal vision (sama drishti).