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Lord Jagannath Temple at Baripada

Lord Jagannath is not just worshipped in the city of Puri at the Jagannath temple but also at the Jagannath temple of Baripada. The temple of Jagannath at Baripada is believed to be built by the Shri Baidyanaath Bhanja Maharaaj.

Lord Jagannath Temple at Baripada

As per the mythology it is said that the Raja once went to Puri and was asked to pay the gold coins which he was failed to pay and hence was not allowed to have the Darshan of the deity. The king then went to Puri with his entire accompaniment and with the 'CHAMORO' along with the 'CHHATRO'. The king was then welcomed with great pleasure and he was still refused to enter the temple as he was showing more supremacy than that of the king Gajapati who is believed to be the Chalanti Vishnu Designate', was also not allowed to enter. Then he came to the famous Atharnala Bridge and worshipped Lord Jagannath from there itself. While returning his own palace the king once the dream and in the dream he was ordered by the Lord Jagannath to built up a temple at Baripada which will enable the devotees to have his blessings then and there only and they need not to travel the city of Puri which is very much far from the Baripada.

Just like the holy city of Puri, the rituals are performed at this temple as well and the devotees from various parts of the world take part in the grand Rath yatra of the deities of the Jagannath temple of Baripada. The entire district of Mayurbhanja is believed to have been blessed with the natural resources and with several holistic destinations and historical monuments. The temple of Lord Jagannath is one among them. The architectural style being used in construction this Jagannath temple is said to be very much commendable. The temple of Lord Jagannath at Baripada is also said to be the Haribaldev temple and it was constructed in the year 1575 by the king Baidyanath Bhanj. The temple of Jagannath stands as a mark of architectural excellence of the state of Odisha. The temple is also known as Queen Monad among the most of the princely state of the country.

Structure of Jagannath Temple at Baripada

The entire temple structure of Lord Jagannath is made of the Laterite stone which is found in the outskirts of Baripada. The temple of Lord Jagannath at Baripada is about 84 feet tall and is surrounded by a huge boundary wall which encloses the entire temple premises. The temple is believed to be a replica of the Jagannath temple of Puri and is also has the inscriptions on the walls of temple that in the era of Saka, the temple was being constructed. A temple at Manatari area near Baripada named Kakharua Baidyanath also has the similar constructions done and is also provided with the Nata  Mandira, Vimana, and the Jagamohana. The temple is preserved and can be found in just as the form it was built.

The temple of Lord Jagannath at Baripada has several pillars and all images along with the structures of the deities of the temple and are also situated at various corners of the temple premises as well. There is this Nata mandir which is located at the temple premises which is decorated and garnished with several images of the deities which has its own mythological importance.

Deities Worshipped in Jagannath Temple of Baripada

The temple of Lord Jagannath at Baripada has the main deities as the idol of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and the idol of Goddess Shubhadra is situated in the temple premises. Along with the idols of several other deities such as the seventeen Bedha are also consecrated in the temple of Lord Jagannath. The compound of the Jagannath temple is said to be equipped with the tiny cells which have the images of various religious findings of the place. Of them there are several beautiful idols of Lord Umamaheswar, Umamaheswar and the Paraswanath can be seen. Inside the inner portion of the main entrance gate there are the images of the Jain Tirthankaras which are believed to be made on the beautifully carved out stones which have the images of Lord Mahavir, Lord Paraswanath and Lord Rishabnath as well.

There is also the image of Jambhal of the Buddhist religion which is being placed inside the temple premises. In one of the small chamber of the Jagannath temple the idol of Lokeswar Bodhisattwa is placed which is otherwise known as the Anantadeva, which is made of Chlorite and the idol has 4 hands. The images of Jain Gods and Buddhist Gods inside the premises of Lord Jagannath temple make the temple a redolent of the catholicity that of the spirit of the Bhanja rulers and the manner they brought the harmonious bonding among the religious approaches of the society which has various dimensions.

Radhamohana Temple – Replica of Gundicha Temple of Puri

The temple of Radhamohana at Baripada is also of great importance, as it serves as the Mausi Maa Mandir (the temple of aunt of deities). This is also said to be the replica of the Gundicha temple of the Jagannath Puri. The temple of the Radhamohan depicts the Neo-Vaishanavism culture which was very much famous in the state of Odisha during the presence of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The temple of Radhamohan is also blessed with the Nata Mandi and the entire temple is colored with beautiful paints both in and outer side of the temple structure. Some of the paintings in the niches as well as on the inside walls of the Radhamohan temple are still there in the same preserved format as they were during the past.

Rath Yatra Festival at Jagannath Temple of Baripada

The Rath Yatra carried in the holy city of Puri is said to be replicated at the Jagannath temple at Baripada. The Rath Yatra of Baripada is said to be the second most important festival of the entire state of Odisha and is also very much famous festival of the entire state. The entire city of Baripada gets decorated and the spirit of the people of Baripada reaches a whole new level and the enthusiasm emerges in the form of devotion towards the Lord Jagannath.

The idols of Lord Jagannath, Goddess Shubhadra and the Lord Jagannath are taken in the huge procession to the cart made of wood which are then pulled by the devotees with immense pleasure. The entire city of Baripada attains a completely different look during the festival of Ratha Yatra and the neighboring cities and villages also get festive during the Ratha Yatra. There are these huge charioys being made of special wood from the forests of Similipal are being made and are designed by the special artisans who have the expertise in making these chariots.

The Ratha Yatra pulls along thousands of devotees from all parts of the state as well as the country, which cannot make it to Puri. The festival of Ratha Yatra lasts for more than nine days and the chariots then take a U-turn towards the Jagannath temple after the completion of the nine days. Devotees feel blessed by just touching the ropes of the Rathas of the deities because as per the legends it is believed that a mere touch to these holy ropes of the chariots one can easily get rid of the problems of this world and can preserve a place in the feet of the holy Lord Jagannath.

The devotees believe that if they be a part of this holy ceremony then the Lord Jagannath sets them free from all the hurdles of the world and can also shift them from the rebirth cycle and their soul attains immortality. Let the truth be anything but this festival is believed to be the most mesmerizing and grandest festivals of the city of Baripada. The Ratha Yatra is also known as the Ghosha Yatra and is thus celebrated with all religious rituals and fervor along with the highest level of enthusiasm. The celebration begins on the day of ‘Akshaya Trutiya’ and it is being performed by beginning of the construction of the huge chariots.

The Schedule of Ratha Yatra at Jagannath Temple Baripada

  • The Netra Mahottsava – Performed on the Amabasya (No moon day) of the Krushna Pakshya of the Ashadha month
  • The Uvayatra Utsava - Performed on the Shukla Pratipada of the Ashadha month
  • The Pahandi Bije - Performed on the Dwitiya of the Ashadha Shukla
  • The Chariots Pulling ceremony- Performed on the Trutiya and the Chaturthi of the Ashadha month
  • The Bahuda Jatra (Returning Ceremony) - Performed on the Ekadashi of the Ashadha Shukla
  • The Pulling Chariots on Bahuda Jatra - Performed on the Dwadashi  and the Trayodasi of the Ashadha masa

The Gundicha Yatra in Baripada

The Gundicha Yatra has been performed since the year 1575 when the three deities are brought back to the temple of the aunt of Lord Jagannath in their respective Chariots. The chariot of Lord Balabhadra is called as the Taldhwaja ratha which moves first and is followed by the ratha of Goddess Shubhadra which is called as the Devidalan and then finally appears the main attraction of the day, he chariot of the Lord Jagannath which is called as the Nandighosh ratha. It is the ritual of the Jagannath temple of Baripada that the ratha of Goddess Shubhadra is only pulled by the ladies and hence it depicts the woman influence over the men in the society. The chariot of Nandighosha is said to be of 16 wheels and is one of the largest of the three rathas of the other deities. With the enchantment of the songs and drums being played in full swing the rathas of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and goddess Shubhadra are taken to their aunt’s temple where they stay for some odd 9 days.

Important Facts & Legends related to Ratha Yatra at Baripada
  • The Distance between the Shri Haribaldev Temple and the Badadanda is said to be around 300ft.
  • There are 5 veshas being done at the Mausi Maa temple of the deities which are, The Luxmi Narayan Bhesha, The Ananta Vasudev Bhesha, The Viswarupa Mahadev Bhesha, The Kaliya Dalan Bhesha, The Baman Bhesha, The Kalaki Bhesha, The Nrusingha Bhesha and the  Kalika Bhesha.

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