May Lord Jagannath shower you with abundant love and surround you with boundless energy, intensity, and harmonious relationships. Jai Jagannath!
The Purushottam Express holds a special place in my heart as it was the most memorable route during my childhood journey from Tata to Delhi. Passing through Tata, my hometown, and Ghatshila, brought back fond memories of my days working with Maruti and boarding this train. One time, a group of youngsters from Odisha boarded the train at Tatanagar and shared their must-try recommendations for Puri and Bhubaneswar, including the delectable Jagannath temple bhog, Dahi vada, Chhena poda, Khaja, Dalma, and Pakhala. In addition, they also provided me with valuable guidance on what to purchase from these locations. The top recommendation was to buy wooden items and Pattachitra paintings.
Contents
The Story of भगवान जगन्नाथ
Morning Darshan on Ekadashi
Lord Jagannath
The story revolves around several main characters: King Indradyumna, his priest Vidyapati, a tribal chieftain named Vishwavasu, the head of the Sabar clan, his daughter, Lalita and carpenter Vishwakarma. Vishwavasu guards and worships Lord Vishnu in his true form as Neel Madhav. King Indradyumna, the ruler of central India, held a deep devotion to Lord Vishnu. As his desire to witness the lord grew uncontrollable, a random traveller visited his court and informed him that Lord Vishnu was being worshipped as Neel Madhav near Puri, guarded by Vishwavasu.
Quest for Neel Madhav: By the king's order, Vidyapati discovers that Neel Madhav is worshipped secretly by Vishwavasu, a tribal chief. He marries Vishwavasu's daughter, Lalita, and eventually convinces Vishwavasu to show him Neel Madhav. Vidyapati cleverly marks the path with mustard seeds to remember the way.
Disappearance and Divine Guidance: When King Indradyumna arrives at the location marked by Vidyapati near the cave, Neel Madhav has vanished. However, he receives a divine message in a dream instructing him to retrieve a floating wooden log from the Puri beach, which would become the idol of Lord Vishnu.
Making of the Idols: The king received the message and witnessed a wooden trunk floating on the beach of Puri. Despite the efforts of the king's servants, none of them could lift the wooden bar. Eventually, the clan chief Vishwavasu helped bring the wooden bar to the palace. However, none of the artisans were able to carve the statue of Neel Madhav from the wooden bar. When it seemed impossible to complete the task, the architect of the Gods, Shri Vishwakarma, appeared as an old carpenter. He assured the king that he could build the statue but under certain conditions. The conditions were that he would create the idol of Lord Vishnu within 21 days and do it alone. After a fortnight passed without any news reaching the queen, she grew anxious. She feared the old artisan had perished from lack of food and water. Queen Gundicha (wife of the King) urged the king to unlock the door after 15 days. When it finally swung open, the king discovered the old artisan was gone, leaving three unfinished statues behind. These statues are now revered as Lord Jagannath, elder brother Balabhadra (Balarama), and younger sister Subhadra in the Shri Mandir of Puri.
Brahma Substance and Nabakalebara: The mysterious Brahma substance, believed to be the life force or soul of Lord Jagannath, is transferred to new idols periodically in a secretive ritual called Nabakalebara. It is observed at intervals of 8, 11, 12, or 19 years, during years when the month of Āṣāḍha (June-July) occurs twice. There are two types of Nabakalebara: one involves the carving of new idols and the transfer of the Brahma, while the other, called ūṣānga Phita, involves opening the ūṣānga. In years designated for carving new idols and transferring the Brahma, neem wood is sought for the new idols. In years when ūṣānga is to be opened, the original wood carvings and the Brahma are not touched.
The exact nature of Brahma in the temple remains unknown, with theories suggesting it could be remnants of Krishna or Buddha, tantric power, a sacred ornament, or a radioactive substance.
Morning Darshan
My accommodation was conveniently located near both the temple and the beach, just 3 kilometres away in a decent hotel. I began my day early at 6 AM for a darshan and was greeted by a massive crowd at one of the temple entrances due to Ekadashi. A kind police officer assisted me in quickly entering the main premises. Inside, many pandits were sharing historical facts about the temple and its services, but I chose to purchase Prasad to offer near the “Pramukh dwar” instead. With the enchanting sound of "Jai Jagannath," the darshan was completed swiftly, allowing me to find a peaceful spot near the temple to sit for a while. Since the temple's bhog, a significant offering is served around 2 PM, I had made arrangements to return in the evening for another visit. Visitors are reminded that phones are prohibited inside the temple, and certain attire is required for entry. I purchased a yellow dhoti to wear in the morning, which is now wrapped around my head.
In the upcoming post, I will reveal fascinating information about the temple. Additionally, I will discuss the budget-friendly ways to reach Konark. Stay tuned for more updates!