Jagannath Temple Varanasi

Jagannath Temple 

Varanasi, one of the oldest cities in the world, is a desired destination for Hindu pilgrims. The city is home to numerous temples that are frequented by visitors for spiritual luminescence. When in the city, visiting the two-hundred-year-old Jagannath Temple is a must. This temple overlooks the Asi Ghat and replica of Jagannath Temple situated at Puri in the Indian State of Orissa. The temple dates back to 1802 when two affluent citizens from Bhonsala estate, Visambhar Ram, and Beni Ram constructed it to honor Lord Jagannath. The temple has many resemblances to the original one including idols and architecture.

Deities residing in the temple

Three idols reside in this temple Lord Jagannath, elder brother Balaram and sister Subhadra. Rituals and procedure of worshipping the deity are similar to that of the Jagannath temple at Puri. Along with these idols, there is also an image of Prachanda Narasimha, measuring almost four meters high and his devotee Prahlada. The complex of this Jagannath Temple in Varanasi is divided into three sections that are linked through gates. The shape of this temple is rectangular, and height of the main spire is almost sixteen meters. In four corners of this temples, there are figurines of four Vaishnavite divinities namely Krishna, Rama Pancayatana, Kaliyamardan as a form of Hindu God Krishna and Lakshminarayana.

Details of architecture

The main temple is situated in the last section or southern part of the complex. The external boundary of this temple is adorned with red sandstone. In the open space, outside main segment a Garuda faces the idol of Lord Jagannath. What makes this different from the original one is the size and area of this temple complex. The size of this Hindu temple in Varanasi is smaller in comparison to the temple complex at Puri. Rath Yatra celebrated during June July or Hindu month of Ashadha is a miniature form of the one at Puri.

Celebration of Rath Yatra

In 1806, Swami Brahmachari, who was the chief priest of Jagannath Temple in Puri, initiated Rath Yatra festival during his years of exile in the city. The wooden idols of the deities are carried on decorated and magnificent palanquins from the temple to Pandit Beni Ram garden for celebrating this festival. Festivity continues for almost three days, and it attracts pilgrims from neighboring districts and states. After this celebration, idols are brought back to the temple, but worshippers are prohibited from darshan or viewing for a fortnight.

Celebration and festivity

During this fortnight, the deities recover from illness and head priest of this Temple in India prepare a medicinal juice known as kadha and offers it to three deities. This juice comprises of a mixture of cloves, basil and water from the Holy River Ganges. The authorities organize fair during Rath Yatra fair a major attraction that draws numerous pilgrims. Nankhatai, the traditional cookie made of refines sugar and flour is in high demand among worshippers. Well, as per Hindu calendar, Rath Yatra denotes the onset of the festive season. This is followed by the Holy month of Shrawan that draws numerous devotees to the shrine of Lord Vishwanath.

How to reach the temple

Find More Temple Details : Temple Locator