Here are nine fantastic facts about Puri Jagannath temple that will leave you flabbergasted as they have no reasonable clarification.
People know about Odisha as a small state in East India, but the name of Puri certainly has a high recall value across the world for being the land of Lord Jagannath, which is famous for its annual Ratha Yatra. Jagannath Puri being one of the four dhams, sees millions of devotees visiting the Jagannath temple throughout the year seeking the blessings of Lord Jagannath. The historic Jagannath temple (Shrimandira) at Puri was built in the year 1078. The following nine incredible facts about the temple do not have a logical explanation:
- The flag atop the temple has been observed to flip in the opposite direction of the breeze.
- Irrespective of where you stand in Puri, it seems to you that the Sudarshana Chakra on top of the temple is always facing you.
- Usually, in coastal areas during the daytime, the breeze blows from the sea towards the land, and during evening hours, it blows from the ground towards the sea. But in the case of Puri, it is the reverse.
- No birds fly above the Jagannath temple in Puri.
- The shadow of the central dome of Jagannath temple is not visible, whatever be the time of day. Maybe an architectural feat or the Lord’s desire.
- The food cooked inside the temple every day will not go to waste.
- After entering the temple from Singha Dwara’s entrance, you cannot hear any sound produced by the ocean. But, when you exit, it can be clearly heard. This can be noticed clearly during the evening. There is no scientific explanation for this. Legend has it that Subhadra Mayi, the sister of the two Lords, wished peace and serenity within the temple abode, and hence it was made to come about that way.
- The Ratha Yatra at Puri was initially performed with two sets of chariots (3 plus 3). As there was a river flowing in between Shrimandira and Gundicha (Mausi maa) temple, the first set of chariots were used to transport the Deities to the river, and then the Deities had to cross the river in three wooden boats and then board the other set of chariots to travel till the Gundicha (Mausi maa) temple.
- Every year, there is a place just ahead of the Gundicha temple where the procession comes to a stop by itself. This is a mystery. The temple doors are closed to the public after 6 PM and in spite of elaborate planning, the proceedings are delayed in every Yatra. Thereby this delay gives an opportunity for the thousands of devotees to have darshan of the Deities at a time which otherwise would not have been possible in the precincts of the temple. Probably it is the Lord’s way of conveying that all mortals are alike in His eyes.
To know more about the Jagannath Temple Puri, visit these links:
Jagannath Temple Puri: History, Significance, Facts – All You Want To Know
Top 10 Jagannath Temples In India
10 Jagannath Temples Outside of India
Must Read:
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Jagannath Temple Puri: History, Significance, Facts – All You Want To Know
Shri Jagannath Aarti : Chaturbhuja Jagannatha Kantha Sobhita Koustubha
श्री जग्गनाथ आरती – चतुर्भुज जगन्नाथ
Puri Jagannath Temple & God Images
Divine Abodes: Exploring the Jagannath Temples Across India
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