The Royal Life of Lord Jagannath

When we think of Lord Jagannath, our hearts fill with love for our compassionate, accessible friend with big, round eyes. But He is not just our friend; He is Jagannatha, the King of the Universe. In Puri, He doesn’t just reside in a temple; He lives a grand, royal life. This is His Aishwarya Leela—His divine play of majesty and splendor.

The scriptures tell us that this royal life in Puri is a continuation of the life Sri Krishna lived as the king of the magnificent city of Dwaraka.

A Glimpse into Krishna’s Dwaraka

The sage Narada once visited Sri Krishna’s kingdom of Dwaraka and was astonished. The city was a paradise of crystal palaces, lush gardens, and walls studded with gems. Narada witnessed Krishna’s divine power firsthand: in one palace, Krishna was playing with His children; in another, He was discussing matters of state; in a third, He was serving His elders.

Yet, amidst all this splendor, Narada saw Krishna run from His throne to warmly embrace His poor, childhood friend, Sudama. This showed that the Lord is both a majestic King and a loving, compassionate friend to all.

Puri: The New Dwaraka of Our Age

It was prophesied that Lord Krishna would manifest in the Kali Yuga as Sri Jagannath. His royal life, therefore, continues in the sacred city of Puri, which is considered the new Dwaraka.

• His Grand Palace: The Srimandir is His magnificent abode. It’s a storehouse of countless secrets and architectural wonders, from the flag that mysteriously flies against the wind to the incredible Nilachakra that seems to have no shadow.
• His Royal Family and Court: The Lord is never alone. The hundreds of temple servitors (sevayats) are His royal attendants, each with a specific duty passed down through generations. All the other deities within the temple complex—from Mahalakshmi and Bimala to Hanuman and Nrusingha—are considered His divine kinsfolk (swajan), living with Him as one grand family.
• His Royal Feasts: The Lord’s kitchen is the largest in the world, where Goddess Mahalakshmi herself presides. Countless delectable dishes are prepared daily and offered as Mahaprasad. Yet, amidst this royal feast, the King of the Universe still cherishes the simple khichdi offered by His devotee Karma Bai and prefers His food to be cooked in humble earthen pots.

The royal splendor of Lord Jagannath reaches its peak during festivals like the Suna Besha, when He appears before lakhs of devotees adorned in solid gold. To bring a touch of this divine majesty into your home, a Pattachitra or photo of the Suna Besha serves as a powerful reminder of the King of the Universe.

Jai Jagannath!
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