Loading Section...
Garuda, as per Hindu Mythology, is considered as the Vahana (carrier) of Lord Vishnu. Lord Jagannatha is considered identical with Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna. Hence his Vahana-Stambha (Gaurda Stambha) is placed, in front of Lord Jagannath, on the eastern side of the Nata Mandapa of the Jagannath Temple. A visit to Jagannath Temple is considered incomplete without touching and hugging the Garuda Stambha. Garuda Pillar is considered very holy and is of high religious significance for the devotees, and it has its own daily rituals by the temple servitors. A darshan (view) of the three Deities from behind the Gauruda Pillar is considered auspicious and followed by all devotes to the temple. As per the tradition, devotees usually first hug the Garuda Stambha, worship it, get a glimpse of the Holy Trinity from behind it and then go to the Grabha Griha (sanctum sanctorum) for a darshan of the three Deities.
Legend behind Garuda Stambha (Garuda Pillar)
There is an interesting legend behind the Garuda Pillar. For the first time, when Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came to Jagannath Temple for a darshan of Lord Jagannath, he rushed inside in an ecstasy of devotion and became unconscious. The temple attendants did not know about his greatness and thrown him out. Later on, they realized their mistakes and welcomed him with garlands from the deity. Sri Chaitanya thought, he is a great devotee of Lord Jagannath and still the Lord did this to him, so he was very upset with this incident and decided not to go inside the temple but view his Lord from behind the Garuda Stambha. Thereafter, Sri Chaitanya always refrained from going inside the Grabha Griha and used to view the trinity from behind the Garuda Stambha. Every time he came to get a darshan of Lord Jagannath, tears would flow from his eyes due to his great devotion. Behind the Garuda Pillar, there is a small depression which encircles the pillar. It is said and believed that Sri Chaitanya's tears would often fill this depression.
The Bhoga Mandapa (Offering Hall) of Jagannath temple is located just behind the Garuda Pillar. It is believed that the stone wall of Bhoga Mandapa became soft at the great devotion of Sri Chaitanya, as a result of which the fingerprints of Sri Chaitanya are imprinted on the wall. Even today, the fingerprints of Sri Chaitanya are visible on the Bhoga Mandapa wall and devotees put their fingers on those fingerprints and get a glimpse of the trinity. It is believed that the effectiveness of a devotee's prayers to the Lord is multiplied if he/she stands near this sacred Garuda Pillar.
What is Garuda Paduka?
Garuda's bath water is known as "Garuda Paduka" and it has therapeutic values. It is believed, since ancient times, that if you touch and hug the Garuda Pillar, you will get relief from incurable diseases and good fortune often comes to you. During the daily rituals of Garuda Stambha by the temple servitors, devotees sit under this pillar while Garuda takes bath. It is also believed that if a drop of bathing water (Garuda Paduka) falls on you then your sins will be forgiven.
Architecture and Dimensions of the Garuda Stambha (Garuda Pillar)
In the first sight it looks like an ordinary stone column, but on examination its shaft seems to be a remnant of a plant of a past geological era. The shaft bears the impression or traces of a Sal tree shorn of its bark. The impression of the Sal tree is readily preserved. The column is not made up of an ordinary stone but a Salagrama stone. It is the largest Salagrama stone, unique in the fossil record of India. This Garuda Stambha, made up of fossil, is quite harmonious to the Deities on the Ratna Vedi made of salagrama stones.
Why do birds not fly over Puri Jagannath Temple?
Garuda is the Vahana (carrier) of Lord Jagannath and presents inside the Jagannath Temple, on top of the Garuda Pillar. As per Hindu Mythology, Garuda is the king of birds. So, the legend says that to respect their King (Garuda), birds avoid flying over the Jagannath Temple. They believed that their king himself is protecting the temple and taking care of Lod Jagannath.
References:
| Content Navigation | ||
| Last Page | ||
|
||
| Next Page | ||
|
Loading Section...
Loading Section...
