Lord Of The Universe

Who is Jagannath God?

In the Indian states of West Bengal and Puri, Odisha (also known as Orissa), the Hindu god Krishna is venerated as Jagannatha (Sanskrit: “Lord of the World”).

The city of Puri is dominated by the 12th-century Jagannatha Temple. The sanctuary of the temple contains wooden statues of Jagannatha, his sister Subhadra, and their brother Balarama. Unlike the more well-known Buddha, Jagannatha is regularly portrayed as one of Vishnu’s ten avatars (incarnations) in modern art produced in Puri.

The words “Jagat” and “Natha” are combined to form the term “Jagannath.” Jagat denotes “The Universe/World,” whereas Natha denotes “Lord/Master.” Thus, Jagannath’s name literally translates to “Lord of the Universe.” Puri is known as “Jagannath Dham” or “Jagannath Puri” because it is where Lord Jagannath resides.

In Sanskrit, the letters “Ja” stand in for Jagannath, “Ga” for Balabhadra, “Nna” for Subhadra, and “Tha” for Sudarsan. Thus, the four deities of the Jagannath Temple are united under the name Jagannath.

Do you know the Rituals of Nabakalebar of Lord Jagannath?

Nabakalebara means the rebirth of the deities as per the rituals of Srimandir Puri. The Soul (Brahma Padartha) of the deities transferred from the old idols to the new idols.

The old bodies of the idols buried at Koili Baikuntha on Amavasya night. This work started from Chitra Masa Sulka Pakshya Dasmi Tithi (As per the Hindu calendar).

There are various types of rituals performed in this process.  All the rituals are performed according to the Veda and Sastras. It is not possible to describe all the procedures step by step. But I am trying to cover the important steps in the Nabakalebar process.

AAGYAMALLA (PERMISSION OF DEITIES)

The Sevaks has taken four Aagyamalla from the four deities. (Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Sudarshan of Srimandir).

Then travel towards Srinagar with a procession through the Simba Dwara (Lion gate). These travelers know as “Bana Jaga Yatri”

After reached Srinagar the Vedic rituals are performed. Then they came to Shree Jagannath Ballavh Math and stay there till the next day night.

Again they started their journey towards Maa Mangala temple with the Aagya Malla. Different types of Vedic rituals performed at Maa Mangala Temple Kakatpur.

Then they stayed at Deuli Matha for the next seven days. Pray to Maa Mangala for obtaining information about the place Daru. They were recited different Vedic mantras as per Vedic rule for obtaining the blessing of Maa Mangala.

The Bana Yagi Yatri getting the Daru information from the Maa Mangala. Then after they divided into 4 parts in four directions.

 

They started to search the Daru as per the information given by Maa Mangala.

 IDENTIFICATION OF DARU

The Bana Jaga Yatri searched the Daru (Neem Tree). Then they verify the symbols in the Daru as per Srimandir rules.

If the Daru qualified all the parameters as per Vedic rules then it was declared publicly. After that, the Vedic procedures performed.

The four Daru were selected in the above procedure. Vedic rituals are performed after identification.

DARU CHEDAN (TREE CUTTING PROCESS)

The cutting process initiated after the identification of daru. The  Vedic Jayga and other Vedic procedures performed by the selected Vedic Pandits.

The Daru is cutting with golden, silver, and Iron axes.

 DARU TRANSPORTATION IN NABAKALEBARA

After completion of the Daru Chedan process,

The Darus (Wood Logs) was transported with specially designed Sagadi (carts) from the place of Daru to Srimandir Puri.

This Sagadi is prepared by Maharana Sevaks. After that Sagadi Pratista work performed by the Vedic Pandits.

The Daru is covered with Gita Govinda Khandua Patta and other Bastras.  A special kind of Patta rasi (rope) was prepared to knot the Daru in the Sagadi.

The 04 Daru Sagadi enters into the Srimandir through the North Dwara (North Gate). It placed in the temporarily made Daru Gruha inside of the Koili Baikuntha. This Dwara is also known as Devjana Dwara.

NIRMAN (CARVING) OF IDOLS FROM DARU (WOOD LOG)

The Darus placed in Nirman mandap at Koili Baikutha. The Vedic Yagya performed before starting the carving work.

The Biswakarma Maharana Sevaks carving the Darus. They make the new idols with the supervision of  Daitapatis.

All the carving rituals and work were finished within 11 days and the area is restricted for others.

 BRAHMA PARIBARTAN (GHAT PARIBARTAN)

The Brahma Paribartan is the most secret procedure. It is a mysterious thing in the whole process of Nabakalebar of Lord Jagannath.

This Brahma Padartha was transferred from the old idols to new idols at the time of midnight. This work performed by 03 Daitapati and 01 Pati Mohapatra Sevak.

At that time whole temple premises darkened and only one Deepa (Lamp) is lightening. During this time  Vedic rituals secretly performed in presence of the above Sevaks

WHAT IS THIS BRAHMA PADARTHA?

It believed that the Brahma Padartha is the small body parts of Lord Krushna that are not burnt in a fire in Satya Juga.

This body part was later found by the successor of the family of Gara Sabar’s named Viswavasu. He has kept it in a cave in a deep forest.

The Buddhists believed that it is the Tooth of Lord Budhha. Some others believed that it is a Live Salagram or some parts of the first Daru which made in Satya Juga, etc.

After Ghat Paribartan the old idols buried at Koili Baikuntha and the Daitapatis performs the Bidhis as per Srimandir rule.

What is the procedure to select Daru for Nabakalebara?

LORD JAGANNATH DARU SYMBOL

• The Neem tree has four branches.
• The tree needs to be straight
• The color of the tree bark (Bakala) need to be light Krishna Color
• The symbol of Chakra & Shankha need to be found in the tree
• No bird make their nest in the tree
• The tree is worshipped or any temple built near the tree.
• Snake safeguard the tree
• The tree never affected with lightening or storm

SHREE BALABHADRA  DARU SYMBOL

• The tree bark (Bakala) color needs to be white or light white.
• The tree is straight with 7 branches.
• The Symbol of Plough Hala & Musala is found in the tree bark.

DEVI SUBHADRA DARU SYMBOL

• The tree bark (Bakala) color needs to be light yellow.
• The tree is straight with 7 branches.
• The Symbol of  Lotus petals is found in the tree bark

 SHREE SUDARSHAN DARU SYMBOL

• The tree bark (Bakala) color needs to be light red.
• A snake need to stay near the tree
• The Symbol of  Shankha, Chakra & Gada is found in the tree bark
• Burial sites need to found near the tree

CONCLUSION

Nabakelabara of Lord Jagannath is a most auspicious ceremony of the Jagannath Temple. It is an important festival of Jagannath Sanskruti of Odisha.

The Mahaprabhu Lord Jagannath blessing the whole world and also pass a message to human beings that nothing is permanent in the world.

The Lord of the Universe teaches us that every creation in the world will destroy with time. Again new things will create. So maintained peace and brotherhood in the society.

 

 

10 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT PURI JAGANNATH TEMPLE

 

Puri Jagannath Temple: Jagannath Temple is one of the most revered Temples in India. Lakhs of devotees visit Jagannath temple every year. Lord Krishna is worshipped as Lord Jagannath in Jagannath Temple. The temple is situated in Puri, Odisha. Lord Jagannath is present in this temple along with elder brother Lord Balbhadra and younger sister Goddess Subhadra.
There are several unexplained science, mysteries and miracles are connected with this temple, which has no scientific reason. The historians, scientists, even priests and common people have been trying hard to solve these mysteries for so many years but it remains a mystery till now. Let's know what are those mysteries :-
1. Direction of Flag - The flag at the top of the Jagannath Temple flutters in an opposite to the direction in which the wind blows. 1800 years old tradition, a priest climbs atop the Shikhara of the Jagannath Temple every day in order to change the flag. It is said that if this ritual is skipped even for a day then the temple will remain closed for 18 long years. The temple is as tall as a 45 story building. No protective gears are used for the same and it is performed with bare hands.
2. Wooden Idols - The idols are made of wood and are replaced with new idols during Nabakalebara. This ritual is done once after every 8, 12, or 19 years. Sacred neem trees with rigid specifications are selected and used for the purpose. The carving is done in secrecy by selected carpenters within a period of 21 days. The old idols are buried near the Koili Vaikuntha. The last Nabakalebara took place in 2015 and millions of devotees witnessed the event.

3. No Shadow - No matter what time of the day it is, no matter where the sun is shining through in the sky, the temple doesn't have a shadow. Now if that is an architectural wonder or simply a miracle, that’s still unknown.
4. Abadha Mahaprasadam - The Mahaprasad is served to Lord Jagannath in 5 phases and consists of 56 delectable delicacies. It is of two types, the sukhila and the shankhudi. The sukhila consists of all the dry confectionaries and the shankhudi consists of rice, dal, and other items. It is available for the devotees in a market in Ananda Bazaar, which is located in the temple premises itself and it tastes divine.

5. Preparation of Mahaprasadam - The Mahaprasad is prepared by thousands of priests and 7 earthen pots are placed one above the other and the food is cooked over firewood and the food in the topmost pot gets cooked first followed by the rest. This is another riddle to solve.
6. Sound of Waves - Once you step inside the temple, you stop hearing the sound of the sea. According to myth, Goddess Subhadra wished that the temple would be a place of serenity, and in order to please her, the temple mutes the sound of the sea.

7. Nothing Flies Above The Temple - As you look up in the sky, you will find birds flying high, or resting on the tree tops. In the case of Puri’s Jagannath Temple, not even a single bird can be seen atop the temple dome. Nothing hovers above, no planes, not even any bird. There is no logical clarification for this yet.
8. Direction of Chakra - There is a wheel of fortune or chakra on the top of the temple which weighs about a ton. The most amazing fact is that any viewer who views the chakra from a height at any point in Puri always sees that the chakra faces towards itself. What’s even more mysterious is how the people of the 12th Century put a chakra that heavy at top of the temple that high.
9. The Mystery of Prasadam - Every year lakhs and lakhs of pilgrims visit this holy temple. The Rathyatra or Jagannath worship days draw more pilgrims than normal days. But every day the same amount of food (Jagannath Prasadam) is cooked. None of the days, the food gets wasted, and none of the devotees remain unfed.

10. Reverse Sea Breeze- It is a natural phenomena that usually happens in coastal areas during the day-time, the breeze blows from the sea towards the land and during evening hours it blows from the land towards the sea. But in Puri, it happens in the reverse form.