Sri Jagannath temple and PURI

[Sujatha]

Sri Jagannath temple. Puri



GOING TO PURI

Within 10 minutes, from main Konarak village, we reached the Konarak beach. This is one of the long and comparatively clean beaches in Orissa. We spent some time in that beach, May be half an hour. We started towards the Puri by road. From Konarak the private bus started slowly. I think the bus charge was just Rs25/-.From konarak to Puri they have laid beautiful coastal road. On the left side, the coastline also travels with you. Therefore, you had better take your seat in the left hand side when you travel. After a time gap of two hours, the bus reached Puri. By that time, it was dark. The time was 1900 hrs. I want to tell you that I visited the temple on the next day afternoon also.



PURI BUS STAND TO TEMPLE.

From Puri bus stand to The Jagannath temple, the rickshaw pullers just ask Rs10/-.One point it is very clear. It seems Oriyans love broad roads. The roads are extremely broad. Over and above lots of constructions are going on the roadsides. Before entering in to the temple, I faced a big problem. The police did not allow me to enter with my cell phone. I thought my visit to the temple is gone. Pleasantly I noticed one good point. The shoe stand guys accept the cell phones also. They charge just Rs2/- to keep the phones in safe custody. It is better to lock your cell phone. I locked my reliance phone.



INSIDE THE PURI TEMPLE
Before entering the temple, you need to wash your feet. They have permanently laid a structure for this. They have made elephant like sculptures. Water is pouring from the mouth of those little stone elephants. There is a permanent police group is standing outside the temple premises. Please be careful. As explained earlier, do not attempt to take any cell phones inside the temple.



In the night hours, the temple looked extremely bright with rich source of light focussed over that. The temple tower is huge one. The height is definitely bigger than that of Bhubaneswar Lingaraj temple. There is an Archaeological survey of India board describes about the temple. Then I observed crazy devotees chanting live songs. It was in fact fine to see. I could find many monkeys over there.

We went on a group on next day afternoon. One Panda Brahmin priest who was riding HONDA-CBZ, was following our car. Our group chief negotiated with him. He accepted for Guide services for Rs50/-. The panda priest cum guide who was accompanying us told that the importance of the temple lies in the food distribution system. Puri temple is largest prevailing temple in India distributing round the clock food to its pilgrims. He told that Puri temple kitchen prepares food for thousands of pilgrims round the clock. He made more praises regarding the kitchen in the language Hindi mixed with Oriyan.

I could see many mud vessels in which Brahmins are eating the food. I could see a highly overweight and slightly depressed Brahmin carrying the mud pot full of rice and Prasad. We wanted to donate some amount for the Anna Dana. When we went to the office, they showed us a list of donations starting from Rs 100/- to Rs 30,000/-. Oh God.



INSIDE JAGMOHAN AND DEOL.

This is the main part. Here more number of Panda Brahmin priests is standing. Most of the pilgrims are terrorised by their presence. Some of the Pandas simply chased us for special dharshan, and special Poojas etc. Over and above, before entering to the main deities, they will just block you. They will beat you with soft wooden stick. Some body told me this means,that they are giving ashirwad to you. You need to give some money at this stage, at least Rs5/-. Then we entered the main part. The principal deities are wooden. They are the most colourful and mysteriously designed wooden sculptures. Sri Jagannath is standing with his sister Subhatra and brother Balabhatra. This is very surprising to see in a Hindu temple, brothers, and sister as main deities.



PANDA PRIESTS.



As I told you, we made two visits to the temple, one on the evening time and another on the daytime. On the first day evening when I was going to a smaller mandir inside temple, one Panda priest almost dragged my hand. He asked me what community I belonged to. I told him that am a Brahmin. He chanted some quick mantras and asked me Rs21/- He said that a Brahmin giving dakshina to another Brahmin is a great happening. He asked me in the name of god. I gave him just Rs10/- and told him to accept this. When I went to the next mandir the same story got repeated.

A group of Bengali ladies were trembling inside a Durga mandir. The Panda priest over there compulsorily gave them Bangles with turmeric. The Panda demanded them an amount of Rs21/- He told those Bengali women that in Tuesday, any Hindu lady should never refuse turmeric and Bangles. They Bengali women were wavering. Probably they should have lost all of their pocket money.



On the second day afternoon the Panda priest cum guide told me that they (Pandas) are poor. They get only Rs1000 to 1500 per month from the temple side. All the revenues go towards the salary of temple guards and police personnel. Therefore, they expect money from the Lakshmi. Lakshmi is nothing but the devotees. Being me myself is a Brahmin I could understand his difficulty.

With least government employment opportunities and support, I understood they struggle a lot.



SHOPPING AROUND JAGANNATH

Many people who visit Puri miss to buy useful items. You can find lots and lots of framed photos and wall mountable images for just Rs 20/-. My main point here is that some shops sell wooden pieces of the main deities. They exactly resemble the main deities. However, you have to see the cost factor also. I bought a pure wooden structure for Rs200/-. The structures and the wood work were of superior quality.



PURI BEACH

Puri beach is famous for its sand models. Any day you go to the beach, you will find a sand model on any topic. On the day, we went we saw a sand sculpture of a human with fish tail. Sand models of different ideas may be displayed daily. However, unfortunately overall Puri beach is dirty. On the day we went there, we saw so many dead bodies of tortoises lying dead on the shore. Dogs were eating their exposed fleshes. It was a sorry scene. Somebody told me that Puri beach is not safe. So many people have died out of its tidal attitudes. So please check before going for a swim. Nevertheless, definitely Puri beach must be a parallel tourist attraction as that of Sri Jagannath temple.

[mahesh]

your observations on Pandajis is not correct

[CtrlAltDel]

mahesh, i think sujatha's right...i heard similar stories abt pandas from other sources too...

[Sadhu Baba]

Your account of Puri is indeed good, but pandas, if you can really get to know their life closely you would know that they are not all that poor, infact most of them are well off, and you can compare them with some of the rich class of any of the metros . The panda guide sold you the idea of pandas being poor, so that you can sell others , I am sure there must be takers for that IDEA ... hehe

[Just Another Human]

Your account of Puri is indeed good, but pandas, if you can really get to know their life closely you would know that they are not all that poor, infact most of them are well off, and you can compare them with some of the rich class of any of the metros . The panda guide sold you the idea of pandas being poor, so that you can sell others , I am sure there must be takers for that IDEA ... hehe

Sadhu Baba Namaste!

[Sujatha]

your observations on Pandajis is not correct

Hi Mahesh ji, I have written 100 % practical and true scene which I experienced

sujatha's right

Control GARU, thanks . I am wondering and thinking what title they are going to give you when u touch 10,000/-

Your account of Puri is indeed good

thank u baba

[Sujatha]

My next topic is on Chilka Lake, Orissa

[Habitual Perfectionist]

My next topic is on Chilka Lake, Orissa

Have been to INS Chilka on a naval motivation camp and to say the least...it was wonderful.

[CtrlAltDel]

My next topic is on Chilka Lake, Orissa

why dont u leave medicine and start writing travelogues? u just need to improve yr writing style n vocabulary...

[Sujatha]

u just need to improve yr writing style n vocabulary...





I hope I am clear on my messages.