Jagannath
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224651195
2008-07-09T20:34:47Z
Chris the speller
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sp
{{otheruses}}
[[Image:Jagannath_baladev_subadra_radhadesh.sized.jpg|thumb|250px| '''Jagannath''' (far right) with his brother [[Balarama]] (far left) and sister Subhadra (center) in Radhadesh, [[Belgium]] ]]
'''Jagannath''' (also spelled '''Jagganath''') is considered amongst [[Vaishnava]]s to be a very merciful form of [[Krishna]]. The oldest and most famous Jagannath deity is in the city of [[Puri]], in [[Orissa]], India (the city is known to many as ''Jagannath Puri'') where each year the famous [[Rath Yatra]] festival takes place. Jagannath is worshipped by [[Hindus]] all over India. The Jagannath Temple in Puri is regarded as one of the four most sacred Hindu pilgrimage places in India.
==Etymology==
'''Jagannath''' is a [[Sanskrit]] name used to describe a [[deity]] form of [[Krishna]]. The term means master (''nath'') of the [[universe]] (''jagat'').
==Traditional stories==
There are two interesting stories associated with this deity. First is the story of how Krishna appeared to a great [[devotee]] of the lord, King [[Indradyumna]] and ordered him to carve a [[murti|deity]] from a log he would find washed up on the sea shore of Puri. He searched for a Carpenter to make the deities. King Indradyumna found a mysterious old Brahmin carpenter who appeared and took the responsibility and took a few days to accomplish that. Surprisingly the carpenter insisted that he would not be disturbed while he was carving the deity and start working closed door. Every one including King and his Queen were very much anxious and come every day to the closed door and there was sound of working. After 6-7 days waited anxiously outside his room, but after some time, all sound stopped. The impatient Indradyumna's Queen worried what had happened and assuming the worst, opened the doors - only to find the deity half-finished and the carpenter vanished! The mysterious carpenter was none other than [[Vishvakarma]], the heavenly [[architect]]. The king was distraught as the deity had no arms and legs. Utterly repentant that he had interrupted the carving, the king was only pacified when the [[muni]] (sage) called [[Narada]] appeared and explained that the form the king now sees is a legitimate form of the supreme personality of godhead. The second story here was narrated to further explain and remove any doubts and confusion.
The second reason for Lord Jagannath's appearance is the story of how Krishna was eavesdropping on the [[gopi]]s as they spoke amongst themselves of His pastimes, and how much they loved him. Sister [[Subhadra]] was instructed to keep watch and ensure Krishna wasn't nearby while the gopis spoke of Krishna. But after a while Subhadra was so overwhelmed by the gopis' devotion and their stories that she became completely engrossed in listening. She didn't see the brothers Krishna and [[Balarama]] approaching. As the brothers listened their hairs stood on end, their arms retracted, their eyes grew larger and larger, and they smiled broadly in ecstasy. That is why Jagannath, [[Balarama]] and [[Subhadra]] look like they do.
This form is worshiped by [[Vaishnava]]s as the abstract form of [[Krishna]]. The deities - Jagannath, Balabhadra (Balarama) and Subhadra (Krishna's sister) are usually worshipped in the temple, but once in every Asadha Masa (Rainy Season, usually June or July), they are brought out onto the main high street of Puri and travel (3 km) to the [[Mausimaa Temple]], allowing the public to have [[Darshan]] (holy view) of the deities as they pass. This festival is known as [[Ratha Yatra]]. The Rath carts themselves are huge wooden structures built new every year and are pulled by the millions of pilgrims who turn up for the event from all parts of the Globe. The festival commemorates Krishna's return to His home in [[Vrindavan]] after a long period of separation from the people there.
==The Temple of Lord Jagannath==
The Temple of Lord Jagannath is one of the major temples in India. The [[worship]] of Lord Jaganatha is so ancient that there is no accurate record of how long it has been going on. It is strictly forbidden for non-[[Hindu]]s to enter the Jaganatha temple. The temple known as ''Shrimandira'' to the devout is built in [[Kalinga]] style of architecture.It consists of a tall shikhara (dome) housing the sanctum sanctorum (grabhagriha). A pillar made of fossilized wood is used for placing lamps as offering. The lion gate (Singhadwara) is the main gate to the temple, guarded by two guardian deities [[Jaya-Vijaya|Jaya and Vijaya]]. A memorial column known as Aruna Stambha faces the main gate. This column was brought here by the Raja of Khurda from the sun temple of [[Konarak]].
Once a year, Jaganatha, along with his brother [[Baladeva]], and sister [[Subhadra]], are taken out of the temple and pulled on huge [[chariot]]s through the streets of Puri. It is from these huge [[chariot]]s that the English word '[[juggernaut]]' originates.<ref> See http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?va=juggernaut </ref> Millions of devotees from a variety of different traditions attend this festival every year, including the [[King of Puri]], who sweeps the path in front of Lord Jaganatha cart.
There are many more Jagannath Temples all over India. One of the lesser known temple is in Kurseong in Darjeeling District in North of West Bengal. This temple is as old as almost 300 years. This very old temple also organises the Rath Yatra along with the Rath Yatra of Puri.
<gallery>
Image:Lord_Jagannath.jpg|Jagannath (Right) Balabhadra (Left) and Subhadra (Center)
Image:Lord_Jagannath_Statue.jpg|A smaller sized altar, with Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra deities
Image:Car_Festival.jpg|Rath Yatra (Car Festival) in [[Bhubaneswar]]
Image:Rath_Yatra.jpg|Rath Yatra festival in [[New York City]] organized by [[ISKCON]]
</gallery>
== See also ==
*[[Jagannath Temple (Puri)|Jagannath Temple in Puri]], Orissa, India
*[[Ratha Yatra]]
*[[Juggernaut]]
*[[Puri, Orissa]]
==References==
<references/>
== External links ==
*[http://www.shrijagannath.com Shri Jagannath Swami Website]
* http://www.rathayatra.co.uk/
* http://www.jagannathtemplepuri.com/
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[[Category:Forms of Vishnu]]
[[Category:Titles and names of Krishna]]
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