The Jagannath temple is an exquisite example of the Oriya temple architecture. This is evident by its curvilinear temple tower or Shikhara, intricately carved exteriors, and comparatively plain interiors. The entire temple complex is spread over an area of nearly 400,000 square feet. Besides housing the main shrine, it has a many other structures. The roofs of the smaller temples rise in steps toward the main temple tower like a ridge of mountain peaks, all as a great harmonious whole.
Surrounding Walls: The temple complex is set within surrounding walls. The outer wall, known as Meghanada Pacheri, is a 20 feet high. It is made of dressed laterites. The thickness of wall is uniform, but the height varies from 20' to 24' because of the variation in ground level. The inner wall, known as Kurma Bedha, surrounds the main temple. It is located at the top of the flight of stairs which lead to the inner enclosure. The wall encloses an area measuring 420' x 315', in which the main temple, and most of the other lesser temples are located.
The Entrances: There are 4 entrances to the temple. The main entrance is known as the Singha dwara, which means the Lion Gate. It is so named because two huge statues of crouching lions are located on either side of the entrance. This is an east facing gate and provides an entry from the main road known as the Bada Danda. There is a painting of lord Jagannath on the right side of the entrance which is known as Patitapavana, (saviour of the downtrodden). It is said that in the past when the untouchables were not allowed inside the temple, they could pray to this painting of the lord. The statues of Jaya and Vijaya, the two temple guards, stand on either side of the doorway. The gate is square and has a pyramidal roof. This gate is used for taking out the statues of the deities for the Rath yatra and for their return back into the sanctum. A statue of Goddess Mahalakshmi is carved on top the door. It is only after placating her and seeking her permission can Lord Jagannath enter back into the temple. This is because she gets angry with him for not taking her for the Yatra.
The other three entrances are named after the sculptures of animals guarding them. In the north is the Hathidwara or the Elephant Gate which has the sculpture of a pair of elephants mounted by mahouts. The west gate is called the Vyaghradwara or the Tiger Gate and in the south is the Ashwadwara or the Horse Gate. The other entrances are not as grand and beautiful as the eastern gate, despite being built on the same plan.
The Baisi Pahacha is the flight of twenty two steps that forms a way up from the Lion gate into the temple complex.
Arun Stambha: Right in front of the main gate stands a sixteen-sided monolithic pillar known as Arun Stambh. It is so named as it has an idol of Arun, the charioteer of Surya, the Sun God, on its top. The column is made of black chlorite, and is 33’8" high, from the ground level to the top of the capital. The capital itself is 2'6" high and is surmounted by a squatting Garuda. The pedestal, 7'9" square and 6' high, is richly carved. This pillar was originally a part of the Konark Temple complex and was brought to Puri by a Maratha guru, Brahmachari Gosain.
The Main Temple
The main temple rises from a plinth measuring 80' square. It is composed of four distinct structures, built in a row in an axial alignment in east-west direction, with the main temple facing the east. These are the following:
- Deula, or Garbha griha (Sanctum sanctorum) where the idols of the three deities are kept on the ratnavedi (Throne of Pearls).
- Mukhashala or Jagamohan – is the porch
- Nata mandir/Natamandapa, is the Dancing Hall or the audience hall
- Bhoga Mandapa – is the hall of offerings.
Deula/Garbh Griha: The Deula is the sanctum or the room where the deities are kept. The interiors are entirely plain. In the centre of the room there is a raised platform known as the Ratnasimhasana on which the idols of the deities have been installed. The throne is about four feet high. There is a path for the circumambulation of this the throne. The sanctum has a single door for entry and exit. This door opens into the Jagamohan.
Shikhara: The Shikhara or the temple tower rises to height of 214 feet (65 m) above the sanctum. Built of stone, it has four-fold vertical divisions, i.e. the Pitha (pedestal), the Bada (wall), the Gandi (trunk) and the Mastaka (the head), which is the same as found in all other full-fledged Odishan temples. It rises perpendicular to a height of 35' above the plinth after which it curves inward at about one third of its height. It culminates in a rounded top which is crowned by a flat stone disc (amalak) and a finial which comprises of the Nilachakra or an eight spoked wheel of Vishnu. This wheel is different from the Sudarshana chakra which has been placed with the deities in the inner sanctorum. It is made out of Ashtadhatu or an alloy of eight metals. As per custom, everyday a different flag is flown on the Nila Chakra. The wheel is 3.5 metres high with a circumference of about 11 metres, and has eight Navagunjaras carved on the outer circumference, with all facing towards the flagpost above. The tower also has deep vertical inlets to emphasize its sheer perpendicular rise.
Jagamohan: The Jagamohan is the porch in front of the sanctum. It is made on the same plinth as the sanctum and has a height of 31'6" after which there is overhanging cornice, which projects 5' from the wall. The cornice was originally totally unsupported but after some damage there were some repairs and re-enforcements with mild steel rail and wrought iron architraves, which are visible today. The Jagamohana is split into a central nave and two aisles by solid square pillars. The walls of this structure are as thick as 18' in some places. It has four doorways, one facing the sanctum and the other three facing to the south, to the Natamandapa in the east and towards the north.
Natamandapa: This is the dancing Hall, which was constructed much later than the main temple and the porch. Its exterior is 80' square, while the interior measures 69' x 67'. Four rows of plain, square pillars divide it into a central nave and two aisles. The pillars that border the nave are 4' square and 16'8" high. The two rows of pillars that divide the two aisles on either side are squares of 3'6" and rise only to a height of 12'8". While the length of the nave and the aisles is 69', the nave is 16' wide, the aisles are 10'6" wide. The interior of the Natamandapa does not have any art or decoration. However, lately some pattachitra paintings have been made on the eastern walls.
Bhogamandapa: This is the hall of offerings and is the eastern most structure in the main temple complex. It is square in shape like the other structures, but is smaller in size and measures only 58' x 56'. It is built on a 7'6" high plinth, which along with the body of the structure above it, is profusely decorated with delicate sculptures in red sandstone. The door frames are made of green chlorite and are luxuriously adorned with delicately chiselled carvings. There are two pilasters which have a Navagraha carving made on a red sandstone architrave. The interior is plain, except for the four pillars which support the wall. The roof of the Bhogamandapa is pyramidal in shape, which has been made of overlapping stones. A covered passageway connects the Bhogamandapa to the kitchen complex so that the food offerings may be brought to the Bhogamandapa by the servitors without being defiled. This Bhogamandapa was originally a part of the Konark temple complex. It was dismantled and brought her by the Marathas in the 18th century. However, its reassembly has not left any physical evidence of its dislocation.
Other Structures
The other buildings inside the complex include numerous shrines of other gods and goddesses and structures such as the Dola Mandap, Mukti Mandap, Snan Bedi, and the Rohini Kund.
The Vimala Temple (Bimala Temple) is one of the most important Shaktipeeths, which are spots where Goddess Sati's body parts had fallen. It is believed that her navel fell here. The custom is that until food is not offered to Goddess Vimala it is not considered as the Mahaprasad.
The Mahalakshmi temple plays an important role in daily rituals of the temple. It is said that preparation of food offering or naivedya for Lord Jagannath is supervised by goddess Mahalakshmi.
The Kanchi Ganesh Temple is dedicated to Lord Ganapati. It is held that the King of Kanchipuram (Kanchi) gifted the idol, when King Gajapati Purushottama Deva of Puri married Padmavati, the Kanchi princess.
There are other shrines which are dedicated to Surya, Saraswati, Bhuvaneshwari, Narasimha, Rama, Hanuman and Eshaneshwara.
The Dola Mandapa is where the annual Dola Yatra is held. It has a beautifully carved stone arch or Torana which is used for constructing a swing for the annual Dola Yatra festival. The idol of Dologobinda is placed on the swing.
The Mukti Mandapa is a congregation hall which serves as the holy seat of selected learned Brahmins. All important decisions regarding conduct of daily worship and festivals are taken here after much deliberation.
The Snana Bedi is a place which is used for the ceremonial bath of the deities during the annual Snana Yatra. It is a rectangular stone platform where the idols of the deities are placed and water is poured over them.
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