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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

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

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What are the most important details regarding Jagannath Temple?

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