Shree Jagannatha: Lord of the Universe

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The Lord Jagannatha temple in Puri, one of the four sacred dhams for Hindus, is unique in many ways. Worship of Lord Jagannatha is believed to date back millenia even though the temple, as we see it now, is less than 1,000 years old.

The idols of Shree Jagannatha, Shree Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are carved out of margosa wood and their appearance is unique among Hindu deities. Like humans, the idols undergo a process of biological change and are replaced by a new set of idols periodically. Again, in a departure from tradition, the moola vigraha, or the main deity, emerges out of the temple twice a year to give darshan to devotees.

The Jagannatha tradition is an inclusive one transcending distinctions of religion, language, class and colour. Rulers, over the centuries, have ruled in His name and continue to do so. The annual Jagannatha Rath Yatra, one of the biggest events in the Hindu calendar, draws millions of devotees to Puri and is a spectacle to behold.

This picture-rich coffee-table book attempts to tell the story of Shree Jagannatha worship, the temple and its traditions. It can by no means claim to be a comprehensive account. It is but a humble effort to explain to people the uniqueness of Shree Jagannatha- literally the Lord of the Universe.

Jai Jagannatha!