Search the Community

History of appearance of Shri Shri Radharaman Deity История явления божества Шри Шри Радхарамана

History of appearance of Shri Shri Radharaman Deity История явления божества Шри Шри Радхарамана

The Legend of Jagannath, Puri is an English documentary aired on Nat Geo. Rajeev Khandelwal takes us to Puri, Odisha to watch the famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. With him explore the magnificent architecture of the Jagannath Temple and learn how this yatra brings diverse cultures, faiths and mythology together. Jagannath Rath Yatra at Puri involving moving the deities of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra to the Gundicha temple, three kilometres away, for a period of seven days. The National Geographic Channel will air tonight an hour-long documentary The Legend of Jagannath showcasing this yatra while bringing to fore the legends and stories connected with the Jagannath temple (one of the char dhams sacred to Hindus), the gods housed in it and the devotional fervour of the faithful. The narrator, Rajiv Khandelwal, a self-declared atheist says, the film helped him understand the faith the people have, their fear of god and beliefs. “Seeing people coming from across the world on a hot and humid day, chanting, dancing, playing instruments and swaying, awaiting for a mere glimpse of the deities and touching the chariot is an amazing experience in itself.” He is right because you can see and feel the deep sense of devotion among the men and women, cutting across all barriers, in their eyes and gestures. Describing himself as an explorer, Rajiv plays the part to the hilt, displaying eagerness to learn while taking the journey of discovery forward. The journey featured in the film is special as it depicts the custom of replacing of old idols of the deities with new ones –– nabakalebra (new body) –– after 19 years, the very first this millennium. It conveys the message that death is inevitable, says Paramahamsa Prajnanananda, Master Kriya Yoga. “We live with pride, arrogance and stubbornness but here the Lord is saying, ‘I came and I am going. Get ready!’” What makes the documentary interesting is Rajiv showcasing behind-the-scene preparations while providing analysis of unique aspects and nuggets of information. Craftsmen who build the three chariots by shaping the wheels, axle and upper structure and carving intricate motifs rely on handspans for measurement and oral knowledge received from forefathers. Similarly the right of first service to yatra –– sweeping the floor of the chariot –– is vested in the King of Puri. Gajapati Maharaja Dubyasingha Deb, the present king says, “It symbolises that before the Lord there is nothing high or low and even the smallest of our acts should be dedicated at his feet.” Likewise, we gather that the sudarshana atop the temple is not just symbolic but protects the structure from lighting. Nicely woven into film is the legend and history connected with how the god worshipped by tribes became Lord Jagannath (lord of the Universe). Tracing the efforts of a central India king Indradymna in making the tribal god, Nila Madhava, a public deity, this story is shown in pictures making it distinct. Mythologist and author Devdutt Pattanaik’s insightful explanations make the proceedings interesting. Observing that Lord Jagannath belongs to the Vaishnavite tradition, he says, “This deity celebrates life and lives like a king. Getting up in the morning, bathing, wearing different clothes, he is served food.” Believed to visit Puri for lunch, the god is served an array of food items prepared from indigenous ingredients. That is how one of the biggest kitchens in the world came into being. Using 1000 earthen pots just once, 600 cooks prepare 56 dishes on wood-fired traditional stoves which after offering to the god, is distributed as mahaprasad. What is noteworthy is that even though the quantity of food remains the same, there is neither shortage nor wastage irrespective of the number of devotees. The documentary presents a larger than life spectacle in all its colour, customs and culture while emphasising how faith can endure what body cannot.

The Snana Yatra is a bathing festival celebrated on the Purnima (full moon day) of the Hindu month of Jyeshtha. It is an important festival of the Jagannath devotees. This is the first occasion in the year as per the Hindu calendar, when the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, Sudarshan, and Madanmohan are brought out from the Jagannath Temple (Puri) and taken in a procession to the Snana Bedi. There they are ceremonially bathed and decorated for a public audience with the devotees. It is a belief among devotees of Lord Jagannath that if they make a pilgrimage to see the deity on this day, they would be cleansed of all of their sins. Hundreds of thousands of devotees visit the temple on the occasion. The Skanda Purana mentions that King Indradyumna arranged this ceremony for the first time when the idols of the deities were first installed. On the eve of the Snana Yatra (which means the Bathing festival, in Sanskrit), the idols of the deities are brought out in a grand procession from the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) to the Snana Bedi (bathing platform). Devotees come to view the deities. On the day of the Snana Yatra, the deities are bathed with 108 pots, of ritually purified water drawn from the northern well of the temple to the accompaniment of religious incantations. In the evening, at the conclusion of the bathing ritual, Jagannath and Balabhadra are dressed up in elephant headgear representing the God Ganesh. This form of the God is called the 'Gajavesha'. After the Snana Yatra the Gods are traditionally believed to fall ill and are kept in a sick room to recuperate in privacy under the care of the Raj Vaidya. It is said that with the Ayurvedic medication ('pnachan') administered by the Raj Vaidya the Gods recover in a fortnight and resume giving an audience to their devotees. Снана-ятра — индуистский праздник, ежегодно отмечаемый в городе Пури в день полнолуния индуистского месяца джьештха. Снана-ятра предшествует Ратха-ятре и является одним из наиболее значимых праздников, связанных с культом Джаганнатхи. По верованиям индуистов, получение в день Снана-ятры даршана божества Джаганнатхи очищает от всех грехов. В ходе торжественной церемонии, божества Джаганнатхи, Баладевы и Субхадры выносятся из храма Джаганнатхи и помещаются на специальную платформу. Затем, под пение мантр, совершается омовение божеств водой из 108 горшков, почерпнутой из колодца, находящегося в северной части храма. Вечером, по завершении ритуала омовения, на Джаганнатху и Баладеву надевают слоновьи маски, которые предстявляют Ганешу. Считается, что после Снана-ятры божества заболевают, из-за чего их помещают в специальную комнату, где о них заботится лекарь царя Пури. Говорится, что с помощью аюрведических методов лечения лекарь вылечивает божеств. С божеств также смывается вся раскраска и их окрашивают заново. В день Ратха-ятры божества торжественно выносят из храма и помещают на колесницы, чтобы в сопровождении толп верующих везти в храм Гундичи. В «Сканда-пуране» говорится, что первым, кто провёл церемонию Снана-ятры был основатель храма Джаганнатхи царь Индрадьюмна.

Golden attire (Suna Besha) of Lord Jagannath, July 2007. Прекрасное золотое облачение (Суна Беша) Господа Джаганнатха, июль 2007.

History of appearance of Shri Shri Radharaman Deity История явления божества Шри Шри Радхарамана

History of appearance of Shri Shri Radharaman Deity История явления божества Шри Шри Радхарамана