Situated in Delhi, Shri Jagannath Mandir is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath. The temple was established by a group of non-resident Odias in Delhi, by forming a society named Orissa Arts & Cultural Centre. The foundation stone of the temple was laid on 15th January 1968 and the construction work started on 5th February 1968. Initially a small temple was built and small size idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balbhadra and Maa Subhadra was installed inside the temple. The foundation stone of the new and present structure of the temple was laid by Late Justice R.N.Mishra on 23rd January 1991. The Pratistha Ceremony was inaugurated by His Excellency Shri Dibya Singh Deo, Gajapati Maharaja of Puri on 28th January 1999.

location Delhi, Delhi, Delhi

Legend

According to the legends, Lord Jagannatha was worshipped as Nila Madhava, the family deity of an aboriginal chief secretly at this spot. The King of Malwa, Indradyumna was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and he has an immense wish to see Lord Vishnu in his most perfect form on the face of the earth. Once in a dream, King was told that Lord Vishnu could be seen in his best form in Utkala (another name of ancient Odisha). The King deputed Vidyapati, the brother of royal priest to find that temple. Vidyapati came to know that Lord Jagannatha was worshipped as Nila Madhava and was the family-deity of Visvavasu, a Savara (an aboriginal tribe) chief. However, the chief refused to show Vidyapati the temple after he approached the chief with the request. Later, Vidyapati married the Lalita, the daughter of the aboriginal chief. Even after that, the chief refused to show him the temple. After the request of Latita, teh chief took Vidyapati blindfolded to a cave on a hillock where Nila Madhava was being worshipped. On his way, Vidyapati managed to drop mustard seeds on the ground and after the seeds germinated after a few days, it was easy for Vidyapati to trace the way to the lonely cave of Nila Madhava. Vidyapati returned to Malwa and informed the King about the place. Indradyumna immediately set out on a pilgrimage to Odisha; however, when he reached there, the idol of Nila Madhava had miraculously disappeared from that place. Later, Indradyumna received a divine direction to go to the sea-shore at Puri and to draw ashore a log of wood that would be floating on the waves from which the idol of Lord Vishnu can be fabricated in a befitting manner. The king found the log; however, as nobody has seen Lord Vishnu they couldn't convince the king as to how Visnu could be fabricated in his best form out of a log of wood. Later, Lord Vishnu disguised as a carpenter and convinced the King about his capabilities. however, the carpenter asked the King to allow him to remain in a closed room with the log of wood for long twenty one days to do the needful and gave a warning that under no circumstances he should be disturbed or the door be opened before the specified date. However, the Queen persuaded the king to open the door before the specified date as no sound of any kind was heard from within. When the door was opened at the king's command, no trace of the carpenter could not be found and a set of four wooden images of Jagannatha, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarsana in incomplete form was found.

Architecture

Built as per Odisha style of architecture, there is Simhadwar at the front of the temple with 22 number of steps called "Baishi pahacha" leading to Mukhashala. In front of Mukha shala, there is a pillar called "Aruna stambha" built in marble stone facing the Chaturdha Deities. The images of many other gods and goddesses like Shri Baraha, Shri Narasimha and Shri Bamana etc. have been engraved outside the structure of the main temple.

Culture

The culture of Delhi represents the culture of all the states of India in parts. In other words, it is a kind of synthesis and reflection of the culture of India, as a whole. Being the capital of India, New Delhi has also become the main center of politics, from where all the decisions are made and policies passed. However, the city does have a history of its own which has made some impact on its cultural scenario.Delhi comes as a merger of the modern lifestyles as well as the old traditions and values. On one hand, we can see the Old Delhi still living in the past to some an extent and still upholding the values of the past. While, on the other we see culture in New Delhi where people have become slaves of ostentations. There is the sound the Qawwalis of Nizamuddin Shrine, Gurbanis of Bangla Sahib and Aartis of Chattarpur Mandir. At the same time, one can hear the loud and blaring music of pubs and discotheques.

Darsan Info

Morning at 5:00 A.M T0 10:00 PM (SUMMER) / 5:00 A.M T0 9:00 PM (WINTER)

It is tradition that before entering the main temple each devotee touches/embraces Aruna stambha.

Darsan Dresscode

Shri Jagannath Mandir, Delhi

Famous Festival

Harishayana Ekadashi / Sunabesha, Ratha Yatra,Guru Purnima,  Pithe Dushahera ( Suna Besha)

Temple Rituals

Mornig pooja and arati starts from 05:30 AM

Additional Info

 

Karim's Mughlai Restaurant, Cosy, Imperfecto, Naivedyam