Ever went to Odisha’s Puri to seek blessings at the holy Jagannath Temple? Built in the 12th century by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, the temple is a masterpiece of Kalinga architecture. It is famous for its annual Rath Yatra, where the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are taken out in grand chariots.
The temple holds immense religious significance and attracts millions of devotees worldwide. Its unique rituals and traditions symbolise unity and devotion, making it a vital cultural and spiritual landmark in India.
Here are some interesting facts about the temple that are sure to leave you wondering.
Jagannath Temple is the World’s largest vegetarian kitchen
The Jagannath Temple is famed not just for its religious significance but also for its colossal kitchen, reputed to be the world’s largest vegetarian kitchen. As reported by Times Now, this massive culinary operation stretches across 32 rooms, featuring 240 hearths where meals are prepared using traditional methods—earthen pots and firewood. Employing nearly 1,000 cooks, the kitchen produces over one lakh (100,000) meals every single day. This grand scale of food preparation serves the temple’s devotees and visitors, adhering strictly to vegetarian principles.
The holy ‘Mahaprasad’
One of the most fascinating culinary aspects of the Jagannath Temple is its Mahaprasad—the sacred food offering. According to MSN, this food strictly uses only local ingredients and follows ancient recipes preserved over centuries. Interestingly, tomatoes are completely absent from these recipes. The reason? Tomatoes are relatively recent imports to India, originating from foreign lands, and thus do not fit into the temple’s age-old culinary traditions.
The flag is changed every day!
Every day, high above the temple’s spires flutters the Patita Pavana, or “Purifier of the Fallen,” flag a powerful symbol of hope and spiritual cleansing for devotees. As tradition dictates, the flag is changed daily by a priest who bravely climbs the tower to replace it with a fresh one.
Idols carved from wood: A unique concept
Unlike most Hindu temples that house idols carved from stone, metal, or clay, the Jagannath Temple’s deities are distinctively carved from sacred neem wood. The Jagannath Temple of Puri is not just an architectural marvel but a treasure trove of spiritual, cultural, and historical richness.
