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So, I am still at Jagannath Puri (mentally and in spirit) and writing about my trip to
this amazing place. The historic Jagannath temple (Shrimandir) at Puri was built in
the year 1078 and some of the incredible facts about the temple that I read are,
1. The flag atop the temple has been observed to flap in the opposite direction of the
breeze.
Apart from this, the flags are changed every day by the temple Pujaris. This itself is
an amazing thing, to watch someone climbing some 215 feet with bare hands,
carrying heaps of flags. It happens during the evening time, I think some time
around 5:30PM. There are two or three pujaris or the staff appointed by the temple (I
05. The shadow of the main dome of Jagannath temple is not visible, whatever be the
time of day. Maybe an architectural feat or the Lords desire?
06. The food cooked inside the temple everyday will not go waste.
07. After entering the temple from Singha dwaras entrance, after the first step you
cannot hear any sound produced by the ocean. But, when you exit it can be clearly
heard. This can be noticed clearly during evening. There is no scientific explanation
for this. Legend has it that Subhadra Mayi, the sister of the two Lords wished peace
and serenity within the temple abode and hence it was made to come about that way.
To move around in Jagannath Puri temple complex which consists of number of mini
temples and other significant places, you need the help of a local person, a priest that
works or authorised by the temple. The pujaris or priests are called as Panda and this
visit we sought the help of a young Panda called "Purushottam Panda with an
interesting background. He is in his early thirtys and did his education, study of
Yajur Veda from Maharshi Mahesh yogi School. He studied Vedas from a young age
and finally moved to Puri and took up this profession since last few years.
Purushottam Panda was very helpful in every step, not only from taking us inside the
temple, but also talking to Auto Rickshaw drivers for our visits to nearby places,
booking train tickets. And, he knows everyone in Puri and ins and out of the place
and temple. Also, I noticed that when we went with him to the Jagannath temple, no
other Pandas come to us to ask for a donation or something like that. Otherwise, I
heard some stories like one of my friend went to a smaller temple within Jagannath
temple complex and was demanded dakshina or donation. My friend refused to
donate anything saying that he doesnt have any money. Before, he could realise what
was happening, the panda angrily applied a strong camphor to his eyes, saying why
did you come without any donation. It took few minutes for my friend to get back to
normal, with his eyes burning. Luckily I did not go through any such experience.
And, of course Mobiles and cameras are strictly prohibited in the temple. I could
manage to take pictures of temple only from outside. Inside the temple, Apart from
Again, because of Purushottam Panda, we had wonderful darshan of the Lord and
also a nice feast of prasadam which tasted excellent. This time, we stayed in a Hotel
close to the temple, basically on the same road and a ten minutes walk, mainly
because we had to walk in the traffic of people, Autos, Rickshaws, Street sellers shop
that is spread on the road and on footpath. We had a nice darshan (holy view) of the
Lord Jagannath 4 times at different times of the day with the only dissatisfaction
that, compared to our last visit few years ago, we could not go to the Lord as near.
Apparently, couple of rocks slipped and fell from the roof of the main dome and was
under repair and that was the reason for not allowing anyone to enter close to the
sanctum sanctorum.
Jagannath means, the Lord of the universe and the world famous Ratha Yatra or
carrying the Lord ships, Sri Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva and Subhdra Mata is an
annual event, which draws millions of people from all over India and the world.
Ratha Yatra is the day, when anyone and everyone from the world can have a
darshan of the Lord and celebrated during the summer months.
*Darshan - means a view of someone Holy, sacred or revered like the Deities of the
Lord or a Holy person.
30/10/2017: As promised, I am attaching the Photo of Purushottam Panda that I
took.I still have his contact details and if anyone visiting Puri and need some
assistance, let me know and I can share his details.