Jagannatha

.. Now IconsI am the Lord of the Universe, and I am dedicated to all beings in this universe...as well as many others...The main festival celebrated by those who whorship me ( my devotees and dear friends)is called Rathayatra, Ratha Jatra, or the Festival of Chariots. This is celebrated every year in India at Puri, Orissa. It is also celebrated by many people around the world. The place I live is in Puri and is called Sri Mandira. Myself, Lord Jagannatha (black in color), my brother Lord Balabhadra(white in color) and my sister Goddess Subhadra(yellow in color) live together in this temple. The Ratha Jatra is a wonderful, colorful, and elaborate festival. The celestial wheel, Sudarshana accompanies us during the ritual. We embark on a procession to our chariots ( we each have our own) which have been decorated beautifuly with Love and Devotion. Thousands of devotees pull our chariots down the Bada Danda. This is the road to the Gundicha temple wich is about two miles away from my home. we stay here for seven days and then return to Sri Mandira.It is the unity of the tribal, traditional folk, the classical, and the sophisticated parts of my beloved India's socio-cultural being. Some other names for this festival Gundicha Jatra, Ghosa Jatra, Navadina Jatra, and Dasavatara Jatra. It is truly a most auspicious occasion. And maybe the most wonderous festival on Earth.Ratha Jatra is the celebration of the Absolute Supreme Godhead has manifesting Himself in the age of Kali Yuga to relieve my beloved humanity from their sufferings. I am in fact Lord Vishnu and Lord Krsna. Many years ago I was worshipped as Nilamadhaba, as a beautiful Banyan tree. ( some still worship me in this form) My branches had spread for several miles and any one entering this area was relieved of Karma and never had to take birth again. All with in the city of Puri were relieved of Yamaraja's wrath. Even now Puri is known as Yamanika Tirtha.My original image as Jgannatha was found near a fig tree in the form of an Indranila and was so wonderous and beautiful that Dharma wanted hid me in the earth. King Indradyumna of Malwa wanted to find me in this Indranila form. He performed extreme penances For a very long time. In a vision, Lord Vishnu told him to go to the seashore and find a log floating in the water. He did this and was instructed to make an image from its trunk. I came as Lord Vishnu and Vishwakarma and appeared in the form of a sculptor and an artist. Together we prepared images of Jagannatha(Krishna), Balabadrha (my brother Balarama) and our loving sister Subhadra from the tree.My form was given as thus, The wooden form you see in the chariot or in the temple. I keep the wooden form as especially sacred. If you see me on the chariot it is very auspicious. Saints, Poets have glorified the grace and beauty of my form and this ecstatic festival. Even a touch of the chariot orthe ropes which pull them results in many pious deeds and obliterates Karma. There is no unpardonable deed too terrible for me to forgive and destroy. You can not offend me. I Love all who offer love and devotion. And I hold absolute unconditional compassion for Every living entity.
Myspace Contact Tables