Amongst all the Hindu temples in India, the Shree Jagannath temple puri is amongst the most sacred. It is home to the three most powerful Gods, Bhagavan, Lord Krishna, and Lord Shiva. As such, it is a popular pilgrimage site for devotees and visitors from all over the country.

Construction

Accusations of illegal work around the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri have prompted the state government to take action. The Odisha government, under the ABADHA (Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture) scheme, is putting up 22 different projects in phases. These include the construction of multilevel car parking, a new corridor, mini cloakrooms, and shelter pavilions.

Some independent organizations have raised concerns about the structural stability of the 12th-century monument. The Archaeological Survey of India, the custodian of the Shri Jagannath temple, has submitted an affidavit stating that the project is being carried out without valid permission.

The Archaeological Survey of India has also alleged that the state government is indulging in illegal work. In a scathing affidavit, the agency said the project is being carried out without proper approval from it.

Festivals celebrated

Besides being a great source of spirituality, the Festivals of Lord Jagannath has a socio-cultural significance as well. They revolve around the themes of equality and equity love, brotherhood, and caring. The pious people visit Puri in large numbers to celebrate the grandest of all the Hindu festivals.

The main temple of Lord Jagannath is a 65-meter-high structure that is built in the Kalinga architecture style. It is a remarkable structure. It is also the birthplace of Lord Jagannath.

The main festival of Shri Jagannath is Rath Yatra. It is a nine-day festival that is celebrated in the state of Odisha. During the festival, massive wooden chariots are ridden by devotees. The chariots are roofed with canopies and are decorated in bright colors. The chariots are carried by four horses. They have wooden figures of the deities painted on them.

No-fly zone

Several years ago, the government of Odisha issued a proposal to declare the airspace around the Shree Jagannath temple a no-fly zone. However, this proposal was never implemented. The directorate-general of civil aviation (DGCA) rejected the government’s request. The DGCA said the request did not fall under its jurisdiction.

The same issue has been raised in the Odisha High Court. The court has asked the State Government to reply within two weeks. The court has also issued notices to the Centre and the State Government.

In the past, the DGCA has been known to reject Government requests to declare a no-fly zone. The director argued that there are no new airspace restrictions in India and that the restrictions in the area surrounding the temple would affect the safety and efficiency of flight operations.

Statues of these three Gods

Several legends and stories exist about the status of these three Gods at Shri Jagannath Temple Puri. Some of them are described in the Skanda Purana, the Brahma Purana, and the Narada Purana. They depict the Hindu gods Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra as the trinity of deities.

The first image of the Hindu god Jagannath was manifested near the banyan tree. The original image of Jagannath is carved from a log of wood. It was ornamented to show large wooden eyes. The inner circle of the idol is black while the outer circle is red.

In the 12th century, King Chodaganhadeva built the Jagannath temple at Puri. He also constructed the Sun Temple at Konark. The temple is said to be the spiritual center of the Jagannath cult.

Sacred Neem logs used in carving

Sacred Neem logs are used in the carving of the deities of Lord Sri Jagannath at Puri. These are carved using the technique known as Vishwakarma. A three-person team of carvers is used to create the images. The deities are then placed inside the temple.

The main deities of the Hindu temple are Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. These three are considered to be the supreme Lordships. The deities are seated on a bejeweled platform. The three deities are accompanied by a large number of jewels.

The process of carving begins with a team of wood carvers. They are not allowed to leave the temple until the images have been completed. Usually, they sleep in the courtyard of the temple.

Food cooked inside the temple

Besides the main thali, many food preparations are offered to the deities. Some of them are ‘Saaga Bhaja’, ‘Pahili Bhog’ and ‘Sankudi’ Mahaprasad. All these are prepared in different ways. The most common ones are made with rice, milk, curd, vegetables, and some spices. These are all prepared in the temple kitchen. These are cooked in a special earthen oven.

The food is served to Lord Jagannath and Maa Bimala Debi. Local supakaras carry the pots to the deities. They wait for the gates to open and then offer food to the deities. They enter and exit the temple several times.