Jagannath Temple Beautification Project

Context: Odisha is to host a grand event in Puri from January 15-17 for the inauguration of the beautification drive of the  Jagannath temple corridor.                                                                                                                                                          

About Jagannath Temple Beautification Project

• The Shree Mandira Parikrama Project (SMPP): It Includes the Meghanada Pacheri (stone boundary around Jagannath Temple)  has a 7-meter green buffer zone and a 10-meter pedestrian-only inner circumambulation (parikrama) zone.
• Objective: Develop  Jagannath Temple as a modern-day pilgrim center with all Modern amenities. 
• Events: There will be a recitation of Vedas at all four gates of the temple (Rigveda for the eastern gate, Yajurveda for the south, Samaveda for the west and Atharvaveda for the north).
  • Lokarpan Yagna (a ritual performed before the sacred fire) will be performed for all the 3 days.
• Odisha also launched a dedicated scheme for the renovation of temples across villages named,” Ama Odisha Nabeen Odisha”

About Jagannath Temple

• Location: Jagannath Temple is situated on the Sacred Mahodadhi (Bay of Bengal) in the Puri state of Odisha.
• It is one of the 4 Dhams (Holiest of the holy places in Hinduism) i.e., Puri, Dwarika, Badrinath & Rameswar.
• Deities: Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath, sister Devi Subhadra, and elder brother Mahaprabhu Shri Balabhadra are being worshiped here. The deities are seated on the Bejeweled Pedestal (Ratna Simhassana). 
• Nabakalebara: It is a process whereby  the image of Jagannath made of wood  is ceremoniously replaced every twelve or nineteen years by an exact replica.
• Built by: The  Ganga Dynasty king  Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva dating back to the 12th century in Kalinga style architecture, with a height of 65 meters on an elevated platform.
• Sri Jagannath Festivals:  The most important festivals are the World famous Rath Yatra & Bahuda Yatra along with other celebrations including  Snana Yatra, Netrotsava, Sayan Ekadasi, Chitalagi Amabasya, Srikrushna Janma, Dussehra, etc.

About Kalinga/Odisha Temple architecture

• Style:  The temples of Odisha constitute a distinct substyle within the Nagara architecture.
• The main architectural features of Odisha temples are classified in three orders, i.e., Rekhapida, Pidhadeul and Khakra. 
• The shikhara called rekhadeul or deul  in Odisha, is vertical and it suddenly curves sharply inwards at the top. 
• Deuls are preceded by mandapas called Jagamohana in Odisha. 
• The exterior of the temples are lavishly carved and their interiors are plain.
• Ground plan:  The ground plan of the main temple was square. Panchratha (Five chariots) consists of two anurathas, two konakas and one ratha.
• There was no use of pillars on the porch. Iron girders were used instead to support the roof.
• The Temple stands in the center of an inner courtyard on an elevated stone platform that usually has boundary walls.
• Notable  Examples: Sun Temple of Konark, Jagannath temple at Puri, Lingaraj temple at Bhubaneswar, etc.

News Source: Hindustan Times