Context

• Rath Yatra begins.

About

• The temple was constructed in the 12th century by King Anatavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
• The temple is sacred to all Hindus, and especially in those of the Vaishnava traditions.
• Many great Vaishnava saints, such as Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya, Nimbarkacharya, Vallabhacharya and Ramananda were closely associated with the temple.
• It is also of particular significance to the followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, whose founder, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, was attracted to the deity, Jagannath, and lived in Puri for many years.
• The Jagannath Temple in Puri was called the “White Pagoda”.
• The temple is a part of Char Dham (others Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri, Rameswaram).
• The idol of Jagannatha is made of wood which is ceremoniously replaced in every twelve or nineteen years by using sacred trees.
• During its annual Ratha Yatra or Chariot festival, in which the three principal deities (Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra) are pulled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars.

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