The Jagannath Temple in India: Home to a Trio of Deities and Numerous Religious Festivals

The Jagannath Temple is an ancient temple located in Puri, a city in the state of Odisha on the eastern coast of India. This temple is dedicated to Jagannath, a Sanskrit name which may be translated as ‘Lord of the Universe’.

Jagannath has been described as “a collective representation of the Triad (Jagannath – Balabhadra – Subhadra)”. Thus, although the temple in Puri is known as the Jagannath Temple, it is a trio of deities that are worshipped there. Balabhadra and Subhadra were the siblings of Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu, the former being his older brother, whilst the latter his younger sister. In addition to these three main deities, there are a number of other deities, such as Sridevi and Bhudevi, who are worshipped in this temple as well.

The Construction of the Temple

The Jagannath Temple was built during the 12th century AD. Its construction began during the reign of Chodaganga, a king of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty, and was completed during the reign of his successor. Subsequently, the Jagannath Temple developed into an important center of pilgrimage.

Alternatively, in the legendary account of the temple’s construction, its foundation is attributed to a king of the Malava Kingdom (a kingdom mentioned in the Mahabharata) by the name of Indradyumna.