JAGANATH, Jaganatha, vernacularly Jug gurnath, from Yoganatlia, lord of the world, is a name now especially applied to Vishnu in the form in which he is worshipped at the temple of Jaganath at Puri in Orissa. All the land within 20 miles round this pagoda is considered holy, but the most sacred spot is an area of about 650 feet square, which contains fifty temples. The most conspicuous of these is a lofty tower about 184 feet in height and about 28 feet square inside, called the Bur Dewali, in which the idol and his brother and sister Subhadra are lodged. Adjoin ing are two pyramidical buildings. In one, about 40 feet square, the idol is worshipped, and in the other the food prepared for the pilgrims is distributed. The temple was restored in its pre sent form in A.D 1198 by Raja Bbim Deo of Orissa, at an outlay of £500,000. It is in a square enclosed by a high stone wall, 230 yards each face, with the principal gateway on the eastern side. The walls are covered with statues, many of which are in highly indecent postures. The grand entrance is on the eastern side, and close to the outer wall stands an elegant stone column, 35 feet in height, the shaft of which is formed of a single block of basalt, presenting sixteen sides. The pedestal is richly ornamented. The column is surrounded by a finely-sculptured statue of Hanuman, the monkey chief of the Ramayana. The establishment of priests and others belonging to the temple has been stated to consist of 3900 families, for whom the daily provision is enormous. The holy food is presented to the idol three times a day. His meal lasts about an hour, during which time the dancing girls, the Deva-dasa, belonging to the temple, exhibit their professional skill in an adjoining building. Twelve festivals are cele brated during the year, the principal of which is the Rath Jatra. In the early years of the 19th century many statements were made as to the self-sacrifice of pilgrims by throwing themselves beneath the wheels. But self - immolation is entirely opposed to the worship of Jaganath, and the rare deaths at the car festival were almost always accidental, though there have doubtless been instances of pilgrims throwing themselves under the wheels in a frenzy of religious excite ment. Any death within the temple of Jaganath
renders the place unclean. The ritual suddenly stops, and the polluted offerings are hurried away from the sight of the offended god. According to Chaitanya, the Orissa apostle of Jaganath, the destruction of the least of God's creatures is a sin against the Creator. Self-slaughter he would have regarded with abhorrence. The image of the god is a rude block of wood, and has a frightful visage with a distended mouth. His arms, which, as he was formed without any, have been given to him by the priests, are of gold. Ile is gorgeously dressed, as are also the other two idols which ac cent panyhim. In a compartment in the temple of Rama, he is represented in company with Bala Rama and Subhadra, without arms or legs. The temple is built on a low sandy plain about 1 f miles from the shore. The car is painted with obscene figures. In the festivals at this Hindu temple the images brought forward are those of Krishna, his brother Bala Rama and sister Subhadra, and the populace reproach Krishna and his sister for having in dulged in a criminal intimacy. In the Alalia bharata, Subhadra is stated to have been married to Arjuna. Bala llama and Subhadra are also similarly accused. Multitudes of pilgrims resort thither, especially at the two great festivals of the Snana Yatra and Ratha Yatra, in the months of Jyaishtha and Ashadha. In the Salm Yatra, the image is bathed ; in the Ratha Yatra, or car festival, it is brought out upon a car, with the images of Bala Rama and Subhadra, and is drawn by devotees. Jaganath temple has three prominent classes of servants,—the Parcha or head priests, who superintend the collection and disbursement of the revenues, and see that the worship is conducted in an orderly manner ; the Parharri, who dwell within the holy'land of the temple, guard the seven inner doors of the pagoda, attend during the day and watch over it at night, and present pilgrims to the idol ; and the Panda, who serve chiefly in the pagoda. The vile Pandas of Puri is a saying in every mouth.—Cole. Myth. Hind. p. 52; Carnegy; Doleson; Imp. Gaz. iv.