Jagannath Temple

• Context (TH): Jagannath Temple (Puri, Odisha) is witnessing an investment of more than ₹4,200 crore dedicated to significant development projects.
• Puri’s Jagannath Temple is a Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Jagannath, a form of Sri Krishna.
• The present temple was rebuilt from the 10th century onwards on the site of an earlier temple and begun by Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, the first king of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
• It is known for its Kalinga architecture.
• The Puri temple is famous for its annual Ratha Yatra, in which the three principal deities (Jagannath, Subhadra, and Balabhadra) are pulled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars.
• The Bhil Sawar tribal priest performs the worship in the Jagannath temple.
• Unlike most Hindu temples, the image of Jagannath in the temple is made of wood. The ritual of changing the wooden forms of the deities is known as Nabakalebara. It takes place at intervals of 8, 12, or 19 years.
• Several prominent Vaishnava saints were closely associated with the temple, including Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya, Nimbarkacharya, Vallabhacharya, and Ramananda.
• The temple holds significance for the followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, as its founder, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, had a deep connection with the deity and lived in Puri for an extended period.
• Ramanuja established the Emar Mutt near the temple, while Adi Shankaracharya established the Govardhan Math, one of the four Shankaracharya seats, near the temple.
• It is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites (Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri, Rameswaram) for Hindus.
• Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple premises.
• Consecration (Special ceremonies to sanctify an object) of the temple is a significant event with elaborate rituals.

Architecture

• The temple resembles the sculptural richness and fluidity of the Oriya style of temple architecture.
• The vast temple complex covers an area of over 400,000 square feet.
• It is surrounded by a high fortified wall known as Meghanada Pacheri.
• Another wall known as kurma bedha surrounds the main temple.

• The temple has four distinct sectional structures, namely:
  1. Deula, Vimana or Garbagriha (Sanctum sanctorum), where the triad deities are lodged on the Ratna Vedi (Throne of Pearls) in Rekha Deula style.
  2. Mukhashala (Frontal porch);
  3. Nata mandir/Natamandapa, which is also known as the Jagamohan (Audience Hall/Dancing Hall),
  4. Bhoga Mandapa (Offerings Hall)

Ratna Bhandar of Jagannath Temple

• Context (IE | TH): Ratna Bhandar (treasure trove) of Puri’s famed Jagannath Temple was opened after a gap of four decades. The last inventory of Ratna Bhandar was made 46 years ago in 1978.
• In 2018, an attempt was made to open the inner chamber, as ordered by the Orissa HC. However, it could not be opened as the temple administration could not find the keys.
• The Ratna Bhandar, measuring close to 60 sq metre area, is situated on the northern side of the Jagamohana (assembly hall) within the Shri Jagannath temple complex.
• The Ratna Bhandar stores the precious ornaments of sibling deities—Hindu gods Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra — donated by devotees and erstwhile kings over centuries.
• It has two chambers:
  1. Bahara Bhandar (outer chamber) and
  2. Bhitara Bhandar (inner chamber).
• The inner chamber houses precious ornaments donated by devotees and former kings.
• The outer chamber is regularly opened during essential rituals and festivals to adorn the deities.
• The Record of Rights prepared under the Puri Sri Jagannath Temple Act, 1952, contains a list of Lord Jagannath’s valuable jewels, gold ornaments, etc.
• The jewellery in the Bhandar falls into three categories:
  • Category 1: Permanently unusable ornaments and jewels that are kept in the Bhitara Bhandar,
  • Category 2: Ones only used during ceremonies or festive occasions and
  • Category 3: Ornaments that are of daily use to the Trinity.
  • Categories 2 and 3 jewellery are kept in the outer enclosure, which is opened year-round.
• According to the Sri Jagannath Temple Act, 1954 (Orissa Act II of 1955), the safe custody of the Ratna Bhandar is vested with the Sri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee.