AWAKENINGS

Lord Jagannatha is worshipped primarily in city of Puri at famous Jagannatha temple. Lord Jagannatha is considered a form of Lord Vishnu and also revered by the followers of Vaishnavism. Jagannatha literally means Lord of the Universe. Jagannatha temple is one of the four Hindu pilgrimage centers known as Char Dham pilgrimages that a Hindu is expected to make in one's lifetime. Lord Jagannatha is worshipped along with his brother Balabhadra and his sister Devi Subhadra.   Ratha Yatra commemorates Lord Jagannatha's annual visit to Gundicha ( गुंडीचा ) Mata temple. It is said that to honor the devotion of Queen Gundicha, wife of the legendary King Indradyumna ( इन्द्रद्युम्न ) who built the Puri Jagannatha temple, the Lord Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra leave their regular abode in the main temple and spend a few days in this temple built by Gundicha in their honor. One day before of Ratha Yatra, Gundicha Temple is cleaned by devotees of Lord Jagannatha. The ritual of ...