In Srikshetra (Puri), the Jhulan Utsav (Swing Festival) is being celebrated with much pomp and grandeur in many mathas (monasteries), including the Srimandir. Large crowds are also gathering to have a darshan of Mahaprabhu amidst colorful canopies (kunja). However, amidst all this glitter and ceremony, the Jhulan Jatra of the 800-year-old Emar Matha, founded by […]

As the monsoon rains bless the holy land of Puri in the month of Shravana, a special festival fills the air with divine romance and joy. This is the Jhulana Yatra, the beautiful swing festival of the Lord. For seven enchanting days, the Srimandir and the entire town celebrate one of the most beloved pastimes […]

When we look upon the Ratnasimhasana in Puri, we see the Holy Trinity: Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Sri Jagannath. But there is a fourth divine presence, standing to the left of Lord Jagannath like a radiant pillar of wood. This is the mysterious and powerful Sri Sudarshana. But who is he? Is he […]

Mā dguru Sri Jagadguru; Mādatmā Sarvabhutātmā (My Guru is the Guru of the world; My Soul is the Soul of all beings) When we stand before the Lord of the Universe, Sri Jagannath, we say we are having His “darshan.” But what does this sacred word truly mean? Is it simply the act of seeing […]