The world famous Car Festival of Lord Jagannath is held on' AshadhaSukla Dwitiya' -i.e. the 2nd day of the bright fort-night of Ashadha (June- July) every year. This festival is popularly known as Ratha Yatra, Gundicha Yatra and also Ghosha Yatra. On the Car Festival day, the deities are taken out of the temple and placed in their respective chariots, kept near the Singhadwar. The deities are carried to the chariots in a traditional ceremonial manner-first Sudarshana, followed by Balabhadra, Subhadra and Jagannath. Balabhadra and Jagannath are made to swing forward and backward in a manner called 'Pahandi'.
The chariot of Lord Jagannath is known as Nandighosha. It has 16 (sixteen). wheels and the colour of the fabrics that cover the roof of the chariot are red and yellow. The chariot of Lord Balabhadra is known as Taladhwaja. It has 14 (fourteen) wheels and the colours of the fabrics are red and green. Subhadra's chariot 'Devadalana' has 12 (twelve) wheels and fabrics are red and black. Sudarshan is seated by the side of Subhadra in her chariot. Madanmohan, a representative deity of Jagannath sits in the chariot of Lord Jagannath. So also two other small idols -Rama and Krishna take their seats in the chariot of Balabhadra. These small idols are made of metal. Thus actually seven deities namely Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, Sudarshana, Madanmohan, Rama and Krishna are seated on three chariots and moved to a temple known as 'Gundicha Ghar' which is at a distance of about 3 kms from Jagannath Temple. The chariot of Balabhadra is dragged first, followed by those of Subhadra and Jagannath.
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This colourful festival which draws millions of devotees from various parts of the country as well as from abroad to Puri, is held in June-July every year. Lord Jagannath, Lord of the Universe, comes out of His sanctum sanctorum to give Darshan to all devotees belonging to all sects and communities. lt is said that those who take part in this yatra earn their passage to the Heaven.
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Lord Jagannath is not only considered as a Hindu God. His devotees include personalities of all religions, casts and races. Bhakta Salabeg being Muslim was one among the most eminent devotees of Lord Jagannath, Mohammed Aziz is famous for Lord Jagannath Bhajans.
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Behind the main temple inside Sri Jagannath Temple Complex, there is another significant small replica of the whole temple. There is a huge Cross installed at the rear of the temple evidence to Lord being visited by Jejus Christ. Budha had been a great devotee of Lord Jagannath, Even Lord Jagannath had been the most admired god for Guru Nanak.
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The present day God Lord Jagannath originally manifested in Purusottama-kshetra ‘Nila Kandara’ as a giant sapphire gem stoned avatar called ‘Nilmani’ or vigraha named ‘Neelamdhava’.
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Daily 88 types of Bhog are prepared in different phases, on special occasions and during festivals the number of items increases.
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The Bhogamandapa in Sri Jagannath Temple, Puri was originally a part of the Konark temple complex. It was dismantled and reassembled by the Marathas in the 18th century. Amazing but true.
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Abadha: The mysterious prasadam of Lord Jagannath has such unique name as it is never served, it is made using earthen soiled pots kept one over the other on an earthen furnace..... amazingly the topmost pot being cooked first and then the next below. Believe it or not.
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Attack on Lord Jagannath: When Kala pahad attacked the brahmapinda or the core saligram stone (considered a sacred stone that is alive) had been removed from the idols beforehand by the priests who had anticipated the attack and had been hidden at Sonpur.
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The Sri Jagannath Temple at Puri and all surrounding structures inside meghanada pacheri are not made at the same time. History shows that the three parts of the temple are also made during three different times by several rulers as per the time demanded. The meghanada pacheri was made by Marhatta rulers to protect the temple against tough see waves. All other miscellaneous temples in the bedha are made during various periods by several rulers.
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The Jagannath temple kitchen at Puri is reputed to be the largest kitchen in the world, with 400 cooks working around 200 hearths to feed over 10,000 people each day.
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Garuda Stambha: The 16 sided monolithic pillar measuring 11 meters in height .Originally it was not there at Sri Jagannath Temple Puri. It stood in front of the famous Sun Temple at Konark and in the 18th century Marathas when ruled Orissa they dragged the Garuda Stambha thru sea shore till Puri Jagannath Temple.
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Present day structure of Sri Janagnnath Temple Puri was not the Original built up. Originally Indradyumna had constructed only the main temple. Kings and rulers in subsequent times added Meghanada Pacheri, Mukha sala, Nata Mandapa and other assets to the Temple Complex.
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Lord Jagannath was discovered by a clever Brahmin named Vidyapati who was blindfolded to visit the lord's cave in a dense forest but could managed to retrace the path by sprinkling mustard seeds on his way and with the help of king Indradyumna he managed to vanish with the God.
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Chariot Festival at Puri was initially performed with 2 sets of chariots (A total of 6 Chariots). As there was a river flowing thru in between Sri Mandira and Mausi maa temple, the first set of chariots were used to bring the lords till the river, then lords had to ferry across the river in three giant wooden boats and aboard the other set of chariots till Mausi maa temple. Amazing but true.
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Garva Muda, the most mysterious part of the temple is said to have storing the precious jewelleries of the Lord, protected and secured by venomous snakes and hevenly divine souls.
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Madala Panji Madala - Panji was recorded in the Telugu Language & preserved in the Manuscript Library in Madras, which speaks about the story regarding image of Nila Madhaba of Udra - desa (Orissa). It seems to have written during 14th century when the king Bhanuder(II) had newly installed the images after destruction made by Kalapahad. The Puranic persons like Narada, Brahma etc. are found to be associated with the story, for which it cannot be taken as a reliable history of the origin of Jagannath. The name of king ‘Indradyumna’, who was supposed to be a worshipper of Vishnu, is not found in Madala - Panji.