Mysteries of Puri Jagannath Temple | Fusion - WeRIndia

The Jagannath Rath Yatra is one of India’s most celebrated festivals, held annually in Puri, Odisha.

This event attracts millions of devotees who witness the grand chariot procession of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and his sister Subhadra.

On July 7, 2024, the Rath Yatra took place. It’s a perfect occasion to explore the mysterious facts about the Puri Jagannath Temple.

These facts continue to amaze and inspire all who visit the temple:

• The temple’s flag hoisted atop the 214-foot-high main dome, always flutters in the opposite direction of the wind. Science has yet to explain this phenomenon, adding to the temple’s mystique.
• The temple casts no shadow at any time of the day even with its massive structure. This architectural marvel has baffled engineers and visitors alike.
• The Sudarshan Chakra on top of the temple appears to face you, regardless of where you stand in Puri. This optical illusion amazes pilgrims.
• The Mahaprasad cooked in the temple is never wasted. Thousands of devotees are fed daily without knowing the exact number of people in advance, yet the food always suffices.
• Seven pots are placed one above the other to cook the food simultaneously. To your surprise, the food in the top pot cooks first, which defies conventional cooking methods.
• In Puri, the sea breeze flows from the land towards the sea during the day, contrary to the usual sea-to-land breeze. It is also said to be the temple’s mysteries.
• The idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are replaced every 12 to 19 years. Despite taking care of the new idols by craftsmen, the idols will have exactly the same flaws as the previous ones. It is one of the most challenging tasks for them.
• Devotees believe that the temple was built without a base and stands on the magnetic force of the Earth, though it is not scientifically proven.
• The temple’s intricate carvings supposedly contain messages and codes which are believed to hold secrets of ancient times.
• The deities are bathed with water of 108 pots as part of Snana Purnima. However, the water disappears immediately upon touching the idols, adding to the divine enigma.

These mysteries of the Puri Jagannath Temple continue to fascinate and inspire visitors, making it a place of wonder and spiritual significance.

Image Credit: Prashant Kharote, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Annual_chariot_festival_%27Jagannath_Yatra%27,_Puri_Odisha.jpg