Lord Shri Jaganath and Odiya people residing in Houston ( USA🇺🇸)
By Lokanath Mishra
Celebration of different rituals relating to lord Shri Jaganath and celebrations of different odiya cultural, religious and social functions in Houston (America 🇺🇸 ) not only marks special occasions for the Odia diaspora living far away from native lands, but also symbolises a spirit of unity and inclusivity among people of Odisha.
Lord Shri Jagannath is the most popular presiding deity of India as a whole and Odisha in particular. Jagannath is a Sanskrit term that is a mixture of two words, ‘Jagat’ meaning Universe and ‘Nath’ meaning Lord. Jagannath translates to ‘Lord of the Universe’ and very aptly so.
It is today known from various historical records, scriptures, and ancient manuscripts that Jagannath was a famous deity even in the ancient world who was known throughout the subcontinent. He is typically worshipped in a trio with his siblings in all His temples. But His main temple is the world-renowned ‘Srimandir’ in the eastern coastal temple town of Puri. Lord Shri Jaganath is an unique God who is variously identified by followers of various religious orders. First and foremost He is today widely popular as a form of Vishnu who resides in the temple with his consort Lakshmi. The Gaudiya Vaishnavites see Him as Krishna with his distinct black hue who is worshipped along with his siblings, elder brother Balarama and younger sister Subhadra. The Shaivites see him as Bhairava along with his consort Shakti as Devi Bimala. Balabhadra is also regarded as the white-skinned Shiva. The Followers of Shaktism see the Jagannath cult as the temple of Shri or Mahamaya or Adishakti. One of the four Adishakti paths in India is the Bimala temple inside the Puri Jagannath temple complex.
Moreover, Devi Subhadra is a form of Shakti, widely considered the sister of Vishnu. The temple itself is also named ‘Sri’mandir after her. The Tantrik practitioners see him as a tantric God Kalabhairav who is worshipped along with Bimala, a form of Kali of their tradition. It is believed that the heart of lord Shri Krishna is still in the Navikendra of lord Shri Jaganath.
Lord Shri Jagannath is the Maha Vishnu who is ‘Avatari’, from whom the Dasabatara the ten Avataras (divine incarnations or fundamental entities) like Rama Krishna and others have been originated. In the Satya Yuga. Matsya (Fish) and Kurma (Tortoise), Baraha (half animal and half human form), Nrusimha (half animal and half human form). In the Tretaya Yuga Bamana (Dwarf God), Parsurama (God with Bow and Arrow) and Rama, the King. In the Dwapara Yuga, Balaram the King and in the Kali Yuga (Present Age) the Baudha (Enlightened) and Kalki (War God). Further it is said that Lord Jagannath as Lord Vishnu represents the four deities in the four Yugas i.e Nrusimha in Satya Yuga, Rama in Tretaya Yuga, Krishna in the dwapar yuga and Lord Shri Jaganath in Kali Yuga.
Many odiya people residing in , Houston (America ) always try to tell the story about odiya crab 🦀 ( Kankada). The story of odiya crab 🦀: Once there was a competition on verities of crabs 🦀. All sent the crabs 🦀 of their areas duly proper packaging of crabs. But odiya people sent their crabs 🦀 in a open basket 🧺. While it was told, why you brought in open basket 🧺 ? They told that these are odiya Crabs 🦀, if any one try to go out of the basket 🧺, then rest others will try to pull his leg, so that he can not go out of the basket 🧺, hence covering of the basket 🧺 isn’t necessary. – Many odiya people residing in Houston (America ) have a very strong feeling that Odias lack unity. These people stated that many people don’t appreciate others’ aspirations and therefore, try to bring them down instead of extending their cooperation. They told that after all we are odiya Kankada / crab 🦀 and we will prefer to pull legs 🦵 of our own people.I told them that , while such instances can occur in any society especially in a competitive atmosphere, it is absolutely absurd to promote such gross generalisations and disgrace your own community in the process. I further explained , “Yes, these generalisations still exist in our society.
I do not differ from any such conclusions, but I would instead alter the guiding propositions. Firstly, I feel not all Oriyas do that. Secondly, jealousy and envy are general human traits, and not always bad, certainly they do not prove to be bad for those who wish to aspire higher. One could argue that “goda taniba ra chesta” can better motivate the targeted person. And this is true across nations, races and languages. If Odia Mentality motivates people to overcome obstacles, and if Odia Mentality compels us to imagine alternative success stories, then we probably need more Odia Mentality; not less.”
We can be empathetic and laugh about it, once we lay out what it is about ourselves that we are turning our noses at and shaking our heads about. The so-called Odia Mentality is said to manifest itself in many forms. One of these forms is the use of mother tongue. There’s a growing perception that many educated Odia people don’t respect their language as much as they should. But in Houston (America 🇺🇸 ) all most all odiya people speak in odiya and they are devotees of lord Shri Jaganath and members of OCC.
Odisha is famous for its cultural heritage. Many of its architectural sites are in the UN World Heritage catalogue. Although the state is a little unknown in the world arena, it still serves as beacon of peace, universal brotherhood and friendship through one of its annual flagship events called Ratha Yatra, better known as Chariot or Car festival at Puri.
The event draws more than a million people every year from all over the world of all races, religions, castes and creeds. Similarly, one of the greatest classical dance forms that India has to offer to the world, Odishi, has its origin in this state.
According to Natya Shastra of Bharat Muni, the earliest treatise on the ancient dance forms that originated from India, Odishi that evolved around the temple rituals of Lord Jagannatha.
Similarly, Odia, the language spoken by the 47 million people in Odisha is one of the handful of classical Indian languages with origin from Sanskrit.
While the language and the cultural art forms of Odisha have crossed its natural geographical boundaries, very little is known about the state itself. That has led the Odia community from the greater Houston area to form OCC to spread the message of peace and universal brotherhood through a medium that is considered an asset for the state – the art and culture. Hence, the mission of OCC has been to showcase Orissan art, its traditions and create a space for community events, multi-cultural exchange, interfaith dialogue, and universal brotherhood. To promote multi-cultural exchange, interfaith dialog, and universal brotherhood, since 2008, OCC has been celebrating its flagship event , the Houston Chariot Festival. The lord Shri Jaganath Temple is located in the complex of The ORISSA CULTURE CENTER (OCC), situated at 3101, Fuqua St. Houston, Texas, 77037 . The complex of OCC is one of the finest facilities available in the Houston area. Featuring 300 seats, a full-sized hall, state of the art lighting and sound technology this allows a full theatre experience. The hall is a central and important space for odiya /Odissi cultural events as part of community. It is ideal for a variety of Odiya performances and events including formal assembly, lectures, award ceremonies, dramatic plays, musical theatre productions, concert performances of orchestra, band, chorus, jazz band, dance competitions, recording sessions and many more.
There is a prominent saying in Odia that goes along the lines “Bara Masare, Tera Paraba” which means Odisha celebrates thirteen festivals in twelve months. The odiya people residing in Houston are celebrating all the odiya festivals in OCC complex throughout the year.
Like Lord Shri Jaganath Temple,Puri 13 Yatra of Shree Jagannath Temple Houston (OCC) is celebrated in twelve months of a year. The yatra is started from Snana Yatra and ends with Niladri Mohadoya Yatra. This 13 yatra of Shree Jagannath Puri is mentioned in the Skanda Purana and Niladri Mohadoya.
Name of 13 Yatra of Shree Jagannath (Puri)
1.Snana Yatra (Bathing of deities)
This Snana Yatra is performed on the full moon day (Purnima) of Jyeshta month as per Srimandir Panji.
The fourth idol with Shree Jagannath is brought out from the Ratna Vedi of Jagannath temple and taken in a procession to Snana (bathing) mandapa. The deities are bathing with 108 pot water in Snana mandap.
- Rath Yatra of Shree Jagannath
The Ratha yatra or car festival is celebrated in the Jagannath temple on Asadha Shukla Paskhya Dwitiya tithi as per Srimandir Panji. The world-famous Rath Yatra is celebrated after a long stay of 15 days in the house Ansar.
On the day of the Car festival, the Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath, Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra biaje in the three chariots at Sharadhabali to give his darshan to the devotee’s worldwide.
- Sayan Yatra
The Sayan Yatra is performed in Asadha Shukla Ekadashi Tithi as per Srimandir Panji. On this ritual, the fourth idol and Shree Jagannath sleeping and darshan of the deities are stopped.
- Dakshinayan Yatra
This yatra is celebrated in the Karkata Sankranti as per Srimandir Panji. It is said that Vibhishan darshan Shree Jagannath on that day. So the Dakshinayan Bandapana ritual is also performed on that day.
- Side-changing Yatra
This Yatra is celebrated on the month Bhadrab Shukla Ekadasi (eleventh Day) as per Srimandir Panji, as the Mahaprabhu are asleep on this day and turn their backs.
- Uththapan Yatra
This Yatra is celebrated on the month of Kartik Shukla Ekadasi (eleventh Day) as per Srimandir Panji, the Sayan ritual of deities is the end, Shree Jagannath awakens and the rituals are performed.
- Pravana Sasti
The Pravan Sasti is celebrated in the month of Margasira Shukla Sasti tithi as per Srimandir Panji. During the day the deities are dressed in winter clothes according to the ritual to escape the onslaught of winter in the winter season.
- Pusya Yatra
The Pusya yatra is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) tithi of the month of Poush as per Srimandir Panji. The bathing rituals of the deities are performed, and the bathing rituals are performed in the reflection of deities.
- Uttarayan Yatra
The Uttarayan Yatra is celebrated on the Makar Sankranti of Poush month. Makar Churashi Bhog Niti Alati, Bandapana, etc. are offered to the deities.
- Dola Yatra
On the full moon day (Purnima) of Falgun month, the Dola yatra is celebrated and the deities brought to Dola mandap and the Suna Besha are performed.
- Damanak Yatra
Damanak yatra is celebrated on the Chaitra Shukla Chaturdashi tithi, the sebayats carry out the Damanak theft rituals on this occasion.
- Chandan Yatra
This Chadan yatra is celebrated for 42days from the month of Baishakh Shukla Tritiya tithi (Akshaya Tritiya).The deities playing (Chap Khela)in Chadan Pokhari ( Chadan Pond) to get a little relief from the extreme heat.
- Niladri Mohadaya
The Niladri Mohadoya Yatra is celebrated on the month of Baishakh Shukla Ashtami tithi as per Sri mandir Panji. On this day the Daru of deities is itself appeared and the inauguration of the temple was held.
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