Puri – Day 2---Trip to Utkal Desam-Puri – 1st Day -Srikshetra Supreme Divinity —-Wood idols —-Brothers & sister are worshipped – the lord here gets off his throne and out on the street once a year-2015!!!

Day 2^nd –26^th June 2015 @ Puri

Puri was venerated near the Bay of Bengal coast.Prepared ourselves to have darshan today so We hailed  an auto & he  charged 100/- till temple, I was in a wrong thought that Navakalebara Festival  means the old idols will be present in sanctum till the new ones are placed but answer is a big noooo, its my wrong perception. This was clarified by the locales at Puri that Lord Jagannath will be suffering from fever after the day Snana purnima (bathing) festival was performed.
Puri is regarded by Hindus as one of the holiest Pilgim centres  and one among Char dham. Adhi shakaracharya the Adi guru of 8^th century sage  established four peetas- in Puri one among is Gobardhan matha(monastery) is established and three are Sringeri (Karnataka),Dwaraka (Gujarat),Badrinath (Utharakhand). Puri  has been choosen as heritage cities HRIDAY –Heritage city development & augmentation yojana scheme  by Indian government.

Why Fever to Lord Jagannath?????

Every year, the main idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra & Sudarshan after the holy Snana Yatra on the Jyestha purnima, go to a secret altar named Anavasara Ghar where they remain for the next dark fortnight. It is said that the gods fall in fever after taking a huge bath and they are treated by the special servants named Daitapatis for 15 days. During this period cooked food is not offered to the deities.

Welcome to Puri ,Today is a big day to me !!!!!

With little disappointment we reached the near  by area of the temple ,As we walk up the narrow road from the the busiest market the towering spire of the Jagannath temple comes into our view,with its  sudarashana chakra on top and red flag rippling in the air.I am at the feet of Lord Jagannath infront of his temple.The red Flag on top of spire which indicates the presence of lord inside temple .At outside main entrance (singha dwara) of the temple   we  took some photographs .We are not allowed to carry cameras & phones inside the temple .So we have to drop our belongings at the temple counter.It took us about half an  hour to complete this task.

And we entered into queue line to go inside the temple.We went to temple darshan at about 11:30 am. Inspite of the pandas disturbances the Vibrant environment around shrine generates interest to visit the sacred place,Being myself  a strong believer in god, don’t want to mess up with them , avoided them within time by not carring money with us and headed towards darshan. It  took us hardly 10 minutes to complete the visit of sanctum sanctorum.As the Jagannath was suffering with fever  I mean because of Navakalebara festival  ,the temple was not much  crowded  as the sanctum is not housing Lord Jagannath.

Nila chakra on temple spire !!!!

The Nila (blue) chakra adorned on top Puri Jagannath spire ,every day different flag is waved on the Nila Chakra.The flag hoisted on Nila Chakra is called as Pathitha Pavaana (Purifier).Nila chakra is made of alloy of eight metals (Asta-dathu) which is 3.5 meters (11 feet 8inches) height and diameter of 36 feet (11 meters) and it has eight Navagunjaras carved on the outer  circumference.Nila chakra is different from Sudarshana chakra.

Temple premises

The temple tower is 65 mts  most magnificiently adorned atop with sudarshana chakra on eight spoked wheel.Temple complex is very large and tower of temple  is very  high. The temple is bounded with 2 enclosures , the inner enclosure is known as Kumabedha, while the outer enclosure known as Meghanad prachir, with 4 entrances  facing east, west, north &south and are called as Singha,each gate is symbolically sculptured with 4 royal animals and named as Lion gate,Horse gate,Tiger gate,elephant gate.

 Singha

The main entrance is guarded with a pair of big  lion statues.In front  of the

Main entrance (lion entrance )

gate(singha)  is a 16 sided Monolithic Black granite pillar known as Aruna sthamba which is brought from Konark temple  and installed here.The temple was built in Kalingan architecture with Vimana( sanctum),Jagamohana (audience hall),Natamandir (dancing hall) & Bhoga Mandapa (Offering hall).

Sanctum (Vimana)

This is the only temple where sister  &  brothers were worshipped.The temple houses lord Jagannath,along with his sister Subhadra , brother Balabhadra & sudarshan in wooden idols ..Besides this we see other goddesses Lakshmi,saraswathi,set on the 4 feet high simhasan  (bejeweled throne). Out side the temple houses Lakshmi ,bimala, ganesh, Sun(which brought from Konark temple--- This sun idol sculptured with shoes- dont miss to see his shoes ) are main gods  & other gods nearly about 30 temples are located  inside the Srikshetra temple premises.The count may be more of temples.

After darshan we sat in the temple and were relaxed watching monkeys playing. All temples are built in same style in Kalinga Desam & this Lord Jagannath temple is the highest above sea level in Odissa. We enquired about temple food which is world wide famous  and found that the food is served only after 02:00 pm in Anand Bazaar which is located at the right side of the entrance.

Mean while we planned to visit the  temple near by places .so we moved out of the main temple and collected our belongings from counter & moved for shopping but shopkeepers were on strike on this particular day against pandas as they were taking photos in phones while making of Lords idols ,which was not allowed to do by any one.

We came out & were in dilemma whether to board this rickshaw after looking at the physique of its driver, but upon his request we boarded to Gundicha temple which is about three kilometer from main temple. But unfortunately, he could not pull us, so one among us got down and was walking along the rickshaw, to my surprise roads were pretty well maintained. We finally reached Gundicha temple.

Now Question in my mind  brew up is-- who is Gundicha Devi?

It lies at the northern end of the Badadanda or the great avenue  about 2kms  from main Jagannath temple.She is queen Gundicha ,the consort of king Indradyuma,who is said to have originally built the shrine of lord Jagannath.The temple is built in 16^th-17^th century is set in a compound encircled by two walls  decorated by murals & paintings.

During the annual Rath Yatra ,the deities from main Jagannath temple are brought here for one week sojourn.A strong belief of the people here is that a sight of the lord here is equal to thousand darshans to the main shrine.

Mausi Ma Temple

Mausima temple is located on the right side of the Grand Road leading from the Jagannath temple towards Gundicha temple. Goddess Mausima is also known as Ardhasini. She is called Mausima (the mother's sister) of Lord Jagannath. As per the rituals of rathayatra, on the day of Bahuda Jatra, the chariots of Balabhadra and Subhadra are pulled directly to the Singha Dwara (Lion's Gate of Jagannth Temple), whereas the chariot of Jagannath stops in front of Mausima temple for a while. Here, Lord Jagannth accepts his favorite rice cake known as 'Poda Pitha' (a fire backed delicacy) from his aunt.

 Ananad bazar waiting for Mahaprasada !!!!!

After having darshan at Gundicha temple we came back to Lord Jagannath temple. We dropped our belongings at the counter again and got into queue & reached Anand bazaar.  One of the specialities of the temple is the temple kitchen-Rosaghar. It is said to be the largest kitchen in the world. There are 752 sirigis (fire places) fired by wood and where up to six meals are cooked by 600 hundred  Supakaras (cooks)  , who cook varieties of rice, vegetables, sweets to Lord Jagannath & his sibilings & also feeding thousands of devotees everyday with its unique food called Mahaprasada.. No less than 56 (Chappan Bhog) is offered daily to Lord. The fire is lit from the Homa sacrificial fire. The food is cooked only in earthen pots. The Mahaprasadam of Jagannath is very sacred.  

Lord Jagannath's Kitchen

On Special occasions 84 different varieties are made, over ten quintals of rice is consumed daily to prepare the Satvic (pure food).The famous chhapan bhog cooked at the kitchen are offered  to diety everyday.

Forbidden items in cooking:-

Use of onions, garlic, potato, tomato, chilies, spices, cabbage, cauliflower, lady’s finger, papaya, etc is forbidden in cooking for mahaprasada. Not a single drop of refined oil is used in any of the dishes prepared here. Pure Ghee is used in dishes and jaggery is preferred over sugar.

Daily menu of Mahaprasada

There are two types of Mahaprasad Namely Sankudi & Sukhila.

• Sankudi mahaprasada includes items like rice, ghee rice, mixed rice, cumin seed and asaphoetida-ginger rice mixed with salt, and dishes like sweet dal, plain dal mixed with vegetables, mixed curries of different types, Saaga Bhaja', Khatta, porridge.
• Sukhila mahaprasad consists of dry sweetmeats.

Main highlight of Mahaprasada

When the steam cooked food is carried to Lord in slings of earthen pots no flavor comes up from the food but when the same is carried back to the sale point after being offered to the Lord a delicious smell spells along in the breeze to the pleasant surprise of the devotees. Now the food is blessed.

Not aware of food system!!!!

Waiting For food at anand bazar ,but we were not aware of the system so ou team members were not carring any spoons and plates.here the food is sold by sellers in pots .we should buy from them.we bought some pots one medium sized pot of rice and dals ,curries.fine we have food in front of us, now question is  how to eat ?

We have bought some earthen pot broken piece and started eating in It and served to some old lady who was sitting beside us. every day  sellers will get food in  new pots and break the older pots after the meals. 

Why these many items offered as food?

Accordingly Devotees strong belief is Lord Jagannath would have his morning breakfast  at Vrindavan, Lunch at Puri, Bath & Pradosha puja at Rameshwaram & penance at Badrinath. And very strong belief was Lord Jagannath is great food lover,and he will have his presence at lunch hour at Puri .Thats why these many items  are cooked daily in new pots.
Fully packed our tummies with  Sumptuous lunch at anand bazar  and straight away headed to hotel to take rest .

Heirs of Gajapathi Dynasty!!!!!

The descendants of the rulers follow “divine order as Jagannath’s sons & vassals.Heirs of Gajapathi Dynasty of Khurda still perform ritual duties of the temple even today.

Rev. Claudius Buchanan had described Lord Jagannath as “Juggernaut” who crushes the gullible devotees and causes blood-bath. He went on to describe Jagannath as Hindu version of Moloch who takes child sacrifice. Meantime, Christian Missionaries also started their crackdown of temple dancers or nartakis demeaning the culture of Odissi, Bharat Natyam, and other classical dances. The temple dancers were persecuted as “prostitutes”. Since his youth, Chakhi Khuntia actively campaigned against the Christian Missionaries and their malicious propaganda.

At around 06:00 PM we got refreshed and moved on to the beach ride at sundown to find the breaker line studded with fully dressed women and men submitting to the waves with unbridled glee. Puri beach is known for its beauty called as golden beach. As hearsay the five day beach festival is celebrated here in the month of February & Another huge event where the annual arribada of olive ridley turtles at a beach near here.. Seeing Panipuri at beach entrance could not stop myself , Pani puri yummy………., After some time we started walking on beach side road, suddenly one among us started planning for tomorrow’s sightseeing. Decided to see siteseeing  around Puri but now question was how?To book travels or cab .As we were few members and taking safety as primary caution we opted travels now question is whether  we opt private travels or Odissa tourism travels.Upon discussion we enquired about site-seeing places with different travels and finally decided Odissa tourism travels Patanivas,they charged us 450/-per day trip.

Our sight seeing around puri  was to cover!!!

Lingaraj Temple,  Mukteshwar Temples( Sidheshwar ), Gauri  Kedar Temple,  Nandankanan Zoo,  Udaigiri & khandagiri caves,  Daula ali stupa,   Konark Temple ,  Chandrabhagha Beach .

Our reporting time was 6am next day morning at Patanivas which was 4kms away from our hotel.

Finally done with our dinner and returned to our hotel back .

Goodnight!!!!!!

Quick Info !!!!!

• Foreigners are not allowed inside the temple but can have a view of shrine & its exquisite sculptures from the roof top of raghunandan Libraray located opposite of main entrance of the sanctum.                      
• Be Cautious with pujaris /Panda's here ---This is the place where usually people will be cheated in the name of god none other than by pujaris (localy called as pandas)These pandas are very notorious and find every where in the temple so be cautious in dealing them.They force us to pay huge amt in order to get the blessings of the god and were kept asking donations in the name of god.
• Devotees can go up to Ratna Singhasana and free  darshan.During Sahana mela  and some special days this darshan is closed & at some times nominal fees charged for darshan called as Parmanik darshan.