The Srimandir in Puri is more than just the home of Lord Jagannath; it is a divine city teeming with celestial beings. Every wall, courtyard, and ancient tree holds a story. While the Chaturdhamurti are the heart of the temple, the complex is a universe of gods and goddesses, each playing a vital role. Join […]
To say Odisha is the land of Lord Jagannath is to state a profound truth. The entire culture, history, and spiritual life of the land flows from Him. But who, truly, are the four divine forms (Chaturdhamurti) who grace the jeweled throne (Ratna Simhasana) of the Srimandir? While their ultimate origin is a divine mystery, […]
In the sacred city of Srikshetra Puri, where the flag of a sky-touching temple flutters in the ocean breeze, resides the Lord of the Universe, Sri Jagannath. He is the single source of all major philosophiesβAdvaita, Dvaita, and more. Yet, a profound mystery surrounds Him. While deities across the world are carved from eternal stone […]
Among the Panchasakha (the five friends/saints of the Bhakti movement in Odisha), the great soul Matta Balaram Das was one of the foremost. He was the crest-jewel of devotees, a supremely accomplished and great saint from the soil of Odisha, who considered Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath his everything and had completely surrendered himself at His divine […]
On the day of Karkata Sankranti, after theΒ Sakala DhupaΒ (morning offering) and theΒ Bhoga Mandapa DhupaΒ (offering at the Hall of Offerings) of the deities are completed, theΒ MailamaΒ (removal of old clothes and flowers) is performed, water is sprinkled inside, and theΒ MahasnanaΒ (great ceremonial bath) takes place. The deities on the three altars are then adorned withΒ BoiraniΒ robes. TheΒ Pujapanda,Β Pati Mahapatra, andΒ MudirasthaΒ (types […]
================ In the Naimisharanya forest, amidst the great sages, Suta Muni was narrating the Sri Padma Purana. In the context of theΒ Kartika MahatmyaΒ (The Glory of the Month of Kartika), he explained how, due to a curse from Parvati, the three great gods (the Trideva) were born on earth as the Banyan, Peepal, and Palash trees, […]
The Ratha Yatra of 1972 An Experience of His Majesty Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb, the First Servitor of Lord Sri Jagannath At that time, the present Gajapati Maharaja, His Majesty Dibyasingha Deb, had only recently ascended the throne (in 1970). On that day, theΒ PahandiΒ (ceremonial procession) of the deities to ascend their respective chariots began with great […]
Deceitful Kalia π₯ΊπΊ The chariot moves, its wheels rolling. Devotees are pulling the ropesβBasuki, Swarna Chuda, Shankha Chudaβdragging them along the Bada Danda (the Grand Road). A fountain of joy overflows in all directions. Srikhetra (the holy city of Puri) resounds with the sounds of bells, conches, bugles, and trumpets. The devotees are overwhelmed with […]
One of the holiest sanctified places of Sri Nilachala Kshetra (Jagannath Dham) is the sacred Gundicha Temple. In various ancient scriptures and folk literature, this temple has been referred to with many namesβMahavedi, Yajnavedi, Gundicha Mandapa, Adapa Mandapa, Gundicha Ghar, Atopa Mandapa, Rasa Mandapa, and ΔαΈambara Mandapa. According to the Skanda Purana, the Yajnavedi and […]
Jai Shri Jagannath Mahaprabhu. ππ In view of the extensive preparations and numerous rituals for the holy Bahuda Jatra (the Return Car Festival) of Mahaprabhu, public entry at the Simhadwara (Lion’s Gate) of the Shri Gundicha Temple will be closed from 6:00 PM onwards on Friday, 04.07.2025, the day of “Sandhya Darshan” (Evening Darshan). After […]
