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Mahaprasad (Jagannath Temple)
Mahaprasad () refers to the sanctified food offered to Lord Jagannath in the Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha, India. It is an integral part of Jagannatha worship and a unique cultural tradition blending devotion, community, and culinary heritage. Revered as divine and egalitarian, Mahaprasad is consumed by devotees irrespective of caste, creed, or religion. Etymology The word Mahaprasad is derived from the Sanskrit roots ''maha'' (great) and ''prasāda'' (grace or offering). It signifies the highest form of divine grace received as food after being offered to the deity. Religious Significance In the Jagannatha tradition, food becomes Mahaprasad only after being offered first to Lord Jagannatha and then re-offered to Devi Bimala, a unique practice called Bimala Prasad. Only after this second offering is it deemed fit for devotees to consume. It is believed to possess spiritual potency and is consumed as a blessing, not merely food. Daily food offerings Six times a day, differe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jagannath
Jagannath (; formerly ) is a Hindu deity worshipped in regional Hindu traditions in India as part of a triad along with (Krishna's) brother Balabhadra, and sister, Subhadra. Jagannath, within Odia Hinduism, is the supreme god, '' Purushottama'', and the '' Para Brahman''. To most Vaishnava Hindus, particularly the Krishnaites, Jagannath is a form of Krishna, sometimes as the avatar of Vishnu. To some Shaiva and Shakta Hindus, he is a symmetry-filled tantric form of Bhairava, a fierce manifestation of Shiva associated with annihilation. Jagannathism ( Odia Vaishnavism) — the particular sector of Jagannath as a major deity — emerged in the Early Middle Ages and later became an independent state regional temple-centered tradition of Krishnaism/Vaishnavism. The idol of Jagannath is a carved and decorated wooden stump with large round eyes and a symmetric face, and the idol has a conspicuous absence of hands or legs. The worship procedures, sacraments and rituals asso ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Snana Yatra
The Snana Yatra (), also spelt Snana Jatra, is a bathing festival of deities celebrated on the ''purnima'' ( full moon day) of the Hindu month of Jyeshtha. It is the auspicious birthday of Jagannath. It is an important festival for Hindus. This is the first occasion in the year as per the Hindu calendar, when the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, Sudarshana, and Madanmohana are brought out from the Jagannath Temple (Puri) and taken in a procession to the Snana Bedi. There they are ceremonially bathed and decorated for a public audience with the devotees. Religious significance It is a belief among devotees of Lord Jagannath that if they make a pilgrimage to see the deity on this day, they would be cleansed of all of their sins. Hundreds of thousands of devotees visit the temple on the occasion. The Skanda Purana mentions that King Indradyumna arranged this ceremony for the first time when the idols of the deities were first installed. Ceremonies conducted On the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hindu Cuisine
Hindus (; ; also known as Sanātanīs) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism, also known by its endonym Sanātana Dharma. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pp. 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for people living in the Indian subcontinent. It is assumed that the term ''"Hindu"'' traces back to Avestan scripture Vendidad which refers to land of seven rivers as Hapta Hendu which itself is a cognate to Sanskrit term ''Sapta Sindhuḥ''. (The term ''Sapta Sindhuḥ'' is mentioned in Rig Veda and refers to a North western Indian region of seven rivers and to India as a whole.) The Greek cognates of the same terms are "''Indus''" (for the river) and "''India''" (for the land of the river). Likewise the Hebrew cognate ''hōd-dū'' refers to India mentioned in Hebrew BibleEsther 1:1. The term "''Hindu''" also implied a geographic, ethnic or cultural identifier for people ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Indian Cuisine
Indian cuisine consists of a variety of regional and traditional cuisines native to the Indian subcontinent. Given the diversity in soil, climate, culture, ethnic groups, and occupations, these cuisines vary substantially and use locally available spices, herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Indian food is also heavily influenced by religion, in particular Hinduism and Islam, cultural choices and traditions. Historical events such as invasions, trade relations, and colonialism have played a role in introducing certain foods to India. The Columbian exchange, Columbian discovery of the New World brought a number of new vegetables and fruits. A number of these such as potatoes, tomatoes, Chili pepper, chillies, peanuts, and guava have become staples in many regions of India. Indian cuisine has shaped the history of international relations; the spice trade between India and Europe was the primary catalyst for Europe's Age of Discovery. Spices were bought from India and traded around ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Odia Culture
Odisha (formerly Orissa) is one of the 28 States and union territories of India, states of India, located on the eastern coast. It is surrounded by the states of West Bengal to the northeast, Jharkhand to the north, Chhattisgarh to the west and northwest, and Andhra Pradesh to the south and southwest. Odia language, Odia (formerly known as ''Oriya'') is the official and most widely spoken language, spoken by 33.2 million according to the 2001 Census. The modern state of Odisha was established on 1 April 1936, as a province in British India, and consisted predominantly of Odia-speaking regions. April 1 is celebrated as Odisha Day. Visual arts Pattachitra is a traditional painting of Odisha, India. These paintings are based on Hindu mythology and specially inspired by Jagannath and Vaishnava sect. All colours used in the paintings are natural and paintings are made fully old traditional way by Chitrakaras that is Odiya Painter. Pattachitra style of painting is one of the oldest a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gajapati Dynasty
The Gajapati dynasty refers to the ruling dynasty from the region of modern Odisha in the Indian subcontinent, whose monarch carries the regnal title of Gajapati. The institution of Gajapati dynasty or lordship was founded by the monarchs of the Eastern Ganga dynasty and was used by the succeeding dynasties. A major religious function included the patronisation of Lord Jagannath as the deity of the Odia cultural realm. Till date, four ruling dynasties from the region of Odisha have presided over the institution of Gajapati dynasty. The current titular Gajapati belongs to the head of the Bhoi dynasty, which the dynasty had inherited the legacy of the historical ruling lords of Odisha invested in the title of ''Gajapati''. They also exercised administrative control of the Jagannath Temple at Puri. History The ruling monarchs of the wider Kalinga, Utkala and Dakshina Kosala used various regnal titles upon coronation or conquest of regions, chiefly being the titles of ''Kalinga ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gajapati Empire
The Gajapati Empire was a Medieval India, medieval Hindu monarchy in the Indian subcontinent, Indian subcontinent, originally from the region of Odisha that reigned from c.1434 to 1541. It succeeded the Eastern Ganga dynasty, Eastern Gangas as the Gajapati (title), Gajapati monarchs and was founded by Kapilendra Deva of Suryavamsa lineage after the death of the last ruler of Eastern Ganga king Bhanu Deva IV. At its peak, it ruled parts of modern day West Bengal to Kondaveedu Fort, Kondaveedu (modern-day Andhra Pradesh). Gajapatis were great patrons of art, architecture and literature which during their time flourished and witnessed tremendous growth, they ruled over a vast stretch of land and had continuous rivalry with the Vijayanagara Empire. Their capital was Cuttack, Kataka. The Gajapati kings patronized Vaishnavism, Vaishnavite Hinduism and were ardent devotees of the Vishnu, God Vishnu. They also commissioned many temples dedicated to the Vishnu, God Vishnu. They estab ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cuisine Of Odisha
Odia cuisine is the cuisine of the Indian state of Odisha. Compared to other regional Indian cuisines, Odia cuisine uses less oil and is less spicy, while nonetheless remaining flavorful. Rice is the staple food of this region. Mustard oil is used in some dishes as the cooking medium, but ghee (made of cow's milk) is preferred in temples. Odia foods are traditionally served either on brass or bronze metal plates, banana leaves, or disposable plates made of sal leaves. Odia cooks, particularly from the Puri region, were much sought after due to their ability to cook food in accordance with the Hindu scriptures. Yoghurt is used in many of the Odia dishes. Many sweets of the region are based on (cheese). Ingredients and seasoning Rice is a major crop of Odisha along with wheat. Lentils such as pigeon peas and moong beans are other major ingredients. Indigenous vegetables used in Odia cuisine are pumpkin, gourd, plantains, jackfruit, and papaya. Vegetables such as potat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ratha Yatra (Puri)
The Ratha Yatra of Puri, also rendered as the Ratha Jatra () (, ), is considered the oldest and largest Hindu chariot festival celebrated annually, on the bright half of the lunar month of Ashadha, Ashadh (June–July). The festival is held at the city of Puri, in the state of Odisha, India and associated with the deity Jagannath (a form of Vishnu or Krishna). During the festival, three deities (Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra) are drawn by a multitude of devotees in three massive, wooden chariots on ''bada danda'' (the grand avenue) to Gundicha Temple whereby they reside there for a week and then return to the Jagannath Temple, Puri, Jagnannath temple. This return trip is referred to as the Bahuda Yatra. On the way, the chariot of Jagannatha, Nandighosa (ନନ୍ଦିଘୋଷ) waits near the crematorium of Bhakta Salabega (ଭକ୍ତ ସାଲବେଗ), a Muslim devotee, to pay him tribute. On their way back from the Gundicha Temple, the three d ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bhog
Bhoga () is a Sanskrit term meaning "enjoyment; pleasure; experience". Etymologically, bhoga is derived from the root ''bhuj-'', meaning to "enjoy", "consume", or "relish". Bhoga in general usage refers to the consecrated food offering to a deity, or enjoyment of worldly pleasures. Denotatively, the meaning of the term bhoga is associated with the concepts such as "delight, enjoyment, consumption, indulgence, experience, and sensual pleasure", whereas, a connotative meaning implies to experience "pleasure without attachment." In Hindu philosophy, bhoga and yoga are viewed as the two paths leading to nirvana. The power of maya is believed to provide bhoga to an individual-subject experiencer (bhogin), so that their self attains maturity and realizes its oneness with the higher self. In the Dvaita Vedanta tradition, bhoga is "Enjoyment or unending bliss in the state of liberation." It is asserted that the self can have bhoga only while it has a body, and ceases to have it so af ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chandan Yatra
Chandana Yatra () also known as Gandhalepana yatra () is the longest festival observed at Jagannatha temple at Puri, India. Chandana Yatra meaning Sandalwood Voyage in Sanskrit, which continues for 42 days is observed in two parts: Bahara Chandana and Bhitara Chandana Bahara Chandana Bahara Chandana starts from Akshaya Tritiya and continues for 21 days. Construction of the chariots for the annual Ratha Yatra festival starts from Akshaya Tritiya. On the first 21 days the representative idols of the main deities of the Jagannath temple as well as five Shivalingas known as the Pancha Pandava are taken in a procession from the Singhadwara or the Lion Gate of the Jagannatha temple at Puri to the Narendra Tirtha tank. The deities Madanamohana, Bhudevi, Sridevi and Ramakrishna participate in this yatra for 21 days. The deities are taken on two chapas (boats), namely, Nanda and Bhadra, on an excursion around the Narendra Tritha. After various rituals the deities are taken to the N ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ratha Yatra
Ratha Yatra (), or chariot festival, is any public procession in a chariot. They are held annually during festivals in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The term also refers to the popular annual Ratha Yatra of Puri that involves a public procession with a chariot with deities Jagannath (Vishnu avatar), Balabhadra (his brother), Subhadra (his sister), and Sudarshana Chakra (his weapon) on a ratha, which is a wooden deula-shaped chariot. Ratha Yatra processions have been historically common in Vishnu-related (Jagannath, Rama, Krishna) traditions in Hinduism across India, in Shiva-related traditions, saints and goddesses in Nepal, with Tirthankaras in Jainism, as well as tribal folk religions found in the eastern states of India. Notable Ratha Yatras in India include the Ratha Yatra of Puri, the Dhamrai Ratha Yatra in Bangladesh and the Ratha Yatra of Mahesh. Hindu communities outside India, such as in Singapore, celebrate Ratha Yatra such as those associated with Jagannat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
