DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

GS-I : Art and Culture Temples

27 January, 2023
5 Min Read

Jagannath Temple

Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal recently entered a topic that has raged for decades and occasionally sparked controversy by supporting the admission of foreign nationals into the renowned Jagannath Temple in Puri.
Only Hindus are currently permitted inside the temple to make prayers to the gods inside the sanctum sanctorum.

Why are non-Hindus prohibited from entering the Jagannath Temple?

Despite the lack of an obvious justification, it has been a tradition for generations.
According to some historians, Muslim monarchs' repeated assaults on the Temple may have prompted the servitors to set limits on non-Hindus' access.
Some claim that this has always been the case, even before the Temple was constructed.
Lord Jagannath is also referred to as Patitapaban, which is Sanskrit for "saviour of the oppressed."
Therefore, it is thought that everyone who is prohibited from entering the Temple for religious reasons has the opportunity to see the Lord in the shape of Patitapaban at the Lion's Gate.

Example:

Due to Indira Gandhi’s marriage to a non-Hindu, her admittance into the Temple in 1984 was opposed by the Temple's servants.
A Thai princess was only able to see the Temple from the outside in 2005 because visitors from other countries are not permitted.
In spite of her sizable donation, a Swiss national was turned away in 2006 owing to her Christian faith.

What are the most important details regarding Jagannath Temple?

The Eastern Ganga Dynasty's King Anatavarman Chodaganga Deva is thought to have built the temple in the 12th century.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Jagannath's presence in Puri has negated the influence of Yama, the god of death, which is why Jagannath Puri's temple is known as the "Yamanaka Tirtha."
This shrine, known as the "White Pagoda," is a stop on the Char Dham pilgrimage route (Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri, Rameswaram).
The temple is renowned for its distinctive architecture, which consists of a substantial compound wall and a sizable temple complex with numerous towers, halls, and shrines.
The annual Rath Yatra event, during which Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra are carried out in a spectacular parade atop a chariot, is the temple's main draw.
The Mahaprasad, a special meal prepared in the temple kitchen and served to worshippers, is another specialty of the temple.

Source: Indian Express

Join Our Telegram

US Resumes Nuclear Weapon Testing

Formation Day

03 Dec, 25
SHARE

On 1st November, eight Indian states—Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu—along with five Union Territories—Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Delhi, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry—celebrate their Formation Day. This date marks an important milestone in India

Turtle (Kachhua) Wildlife Sanctuary

02 Dec, 25
SHARE

The Turtle Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as the Kachhua Sanctuary, is located in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh. It is recognised as India’s first freshwater turtle wildlife sanctuary, established to conserve endangered turtle species and support the ecological health of the Ganga River. Location and Extent The sanctuary co

Introduction of AI and Computational Thinking (CT) in

02 Dec, 25
SHARE

The Ministry of Education plans to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computational Thinking (CT) from Class 3 onwards in the 2026–27 academic year. This initiative is part of the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023 and aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The aim is to prepare student

Sal Tree

02 Dec, 25
SHARE

Scientists from the Environment Department of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) in Shimla have recently revealed that the Sal tree (Shorea robusta) is the most effective natural air purifier for combating rising pollution levels. Their findings highlight the tree’s superior capacity to trap dust, absorb gases, and cleanse the air compared

US Resumes Nuclear Weapon Testing

02 Dec, 25
SHARE

The President of the United States has ordered the resumption of nuclear weapon testing after a gap of 33 years, the last test being in 1992. This decision marks a significant shift in global nuclear policy and has far-reaching implications for geopolitics, the environment, and international security. Status of Global Nuclear Weapon Testing

Quick Links Testimonials FAQ

Crash Course

Regular Modules 2024

Mains

Optional

Jagannath Temple

Jagannath Temple

Why are non-Hindus prohibited from entering the Jagannath Temple?

Example:

What are the most important details regarding Jagannath Temple?

Formation Day

Turtle (Kachhua) Wildlife Sanctuary

Introduction of AI and Computational Thinking (CT) in

Sal Tree

US Resumes Nuclear Weapon Testing

DNA

03 Dec,2025

Important GS Topics

Toppers

Search By Date

Top Editorials

UPSC Courses

Saarthi Mentorship Programme

Important Tags

Articles:Geography And Environment

Articles: History Culture Society

Articles: Governance & National Issues

Articles: IR & IO

Articles: Economic Development & Economic Issues

Articles: S&T Internal Security

Articles: Ethics & Others

Articles: Others

Newsletter Subscription

SMS Alerts

Important Links