JAGANNATH TEMPLE - ART & CULTURE

News: ASI seeks inspection of inner chamber of Jagannath Temple’s Ratna Bhandar

 

What's in the news?

       The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has sought permission to inspect the inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri by a technical expert committee for the safety and upkeep of the ancient monument.

 

Jagannath Temple:

       The Shree Jagannath Temple of Puri is an important Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Vishnu, in Puri in the state of Odisha on the eastern coast of India.

       Built by - Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, first of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.

 

Architecture of Puri Temple:

       The Temple of Jagannath at Puri is one of the major Hindu temples in India.

       The temple is built in the Kalinga style of architecture, with the Pancharatha (Five chariots) type consisting of two anurathas, two konakas and one ratha.

       Jagannath temple is a pancharatha with well-developed pagas.

       ‘Gajasimhas’ (elephant lions) carved in recesses of the pagas, the ‘Jhampasimhas’ (Jumping lions) are also placed properly.

       The perfect pancharatha temple developed into a Nagara-rekha temple.

       The temple is built on an elevated platform, as compared to Lingaraja temple and other temples belonging to this type.

       This is the first temple in the history of Kalinga temple architecture where all the chambers like Jagamohana, Bhogamandapa and Natyamandapa were built along with the main temple.

       There are miniature shrines on the three outer sides of the main temple.

 

Rath Yatra:

       Popularly known as the ‘Festival of Chariots’, Rath Yatra festival in honour of Puri’s Lord Jagannath is a grand celebration.

       The festival is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, his sister Goddess Subhadra and elder brother Balabhadra.

       All the three deities of the temple - Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra – travel in three different chariots during this festival.

       The chariots are called Nandighosha, Taladhwaja, and Devadalana respectively.

       New chariots for all the three deities are constructed every year using wood even if the architect of the chariots remain similar. 

       Four wooden horses are attached to each chariot.