About Lord jagannath

lord jagannath

Lord Jagannath is one of the most revered deities of Hindu religion.In fact the cult of Jagannath is not sectarion or limited to any part of the world.The name Jagannath itself means that the lord (nath means to Lord) of the whole universe (jagata means to the whole universe) .Jagannath philosophy is incorporated in its fold the influence of many religious creeds and sects and even colours.The three different colours of the three deities i.e, white,black and yellow ,as a whole, are of course the representation of the whole mankind. It is important to note that various major faiths like Saivisim, Shaktisim, Vaishnavism, Jainisim and Budhhisim have been assimilated into this cult.In jagannath cult Lord Jagannath is worshipped as Purussottam or Vishnu, Balabhadra is worshipped as Siva & Devi Subhadra is worshipped as Adya shakti Durga. According to legends Jagannath was originally worshipped by a tribal (sabara) known as Biswabasu in the form of Nilamadhaba.Even today in Puri,Lord Jagannath is worshipped by the Sevakas who happen to be the heirs of the then Daitapati.These are only some of the unique features of the great Jagannath philosophy. The world famous car- festival of Puri is another unique feature of purusottam dham or Puri.During the car- festival the Gajapati king of Puri works as a sweeper and cleans the three chariots.Mahaprasad, the offerings to lord Jagannath ,is considered to be the most sacred thing.It becomes Mahaprasad only after it is reoffered to lord Vimala. Friendship is established through Mahaprasad.Another most uncommon fact about it is that anybody can take mahaprasad from anyother's plate without any hesitation and irrespective of caste,creed or colour.This is how lord Jagannath embraces the whole world and justifies His greatness.

The recent happenings at the Jagannath temple about not allowing non-Hindus into the Jagannath temple is "violative of the basic philosophy of Jagannath cult" as has been rightly pointed out by Dr. Harihar kanungo ,a scholar in Jagannath cult. To add little more strength to it ,let me cite one example as Bhakta Salabega ,a muslim devotee. He was perhaps the most loved devotee of lord Jagannath.The philosophy of Jagannath cult is so unique and mysterious that different scholars have made different interpretations of the facts.However the united view is that Jagannath cult speaks for and is the symbolism of the whole mankind irrespective of their caste,creed or colour. So we the Odias,who belong to the land of Jagannath, must show in our behaviour the essence of the great Jagannath cult and the feelings of "BASUDHAIBA KUTUMBAKAM" means all the world is one family . Thank you all.

JAI JAGANNATH.