Jagannatha

**Jagannatha**, also known as **Jagannath**, is a deity primarily worshipped in the Indian state of Odisha, particularly in the city of Puri. Jagannatha is considered a form of Lord Vishnu, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. The word "Jagannatha" is derived from the Sanskrit words "Jagat" (world) and "Natha" (lord), meaning the "**Lord of the Universe**."

The most famous temple dedicated to Jagannatha is the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, which is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites for Hindus. The deity is often depicted with a dark complexion and is worshipped along with his siblings, Balabhadra (Balarama) and Subhadra.

The annual Rath Yatra (chariot festival) in Puri is one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals associated with Jagannatha. During this festival, the deities are placed on massive wooden chariots and pulled through the streets by thousands of devotees. The Rath Yatra attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists from around the world.

The worship of Jagannatha has a rich cultural and religious significance in the region, and the deity is considered a symbol of unity and inclusiveness. The unique aspect of Jagannatha worship includes the concept of "Nabakalebara," wherein the deities' wooden forms are ceremonially replaced with new ones after a specific period.

## Overview

Jagannatha, within Odia Hinduism, is the supreme god, Purushottama, and the Para Brahman. To most Vaishnava Hindus, particularly the Krishnaites, Jagannath is considered an avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. He is also known as the Lord of the Universe and is revered by worshippers in India and all across the world. Lord Jagannath is unique to the state of Odisha, and no other region worships a form of Vishnu like him. He is regarded as a manifestation (avatar) of Lord Vishnu and possesses the attributes of all the avatars of Lord Vishnu. The annual Puri Rath Yatra, a grand chariot festival, is dedicated to Lord Jagannath and is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Odisha.

## Appearance

Lord Jagannath is typically depicted as a deity with a distinct form. Here's a description of his appearance:

* Lord Jagannath is depicted with a black wooden form with large, symmetrical, and round eyes.
* He has no hands or legs, and his body is simplified to emphasize his spiritual significance.
* The deity is adorned with various ornaments and garments, and he holds a discus (chakra) and a conch shell (shankha) in two of his hands.
* Lord Jagannath's distinct feature is his representation on the Ratnabedi, a pedestal made of stone, with a large umbrella-like structure above him.

Overall, Lord Jagannath's appearance is unique and holds great significance in the worship and rituals associated with him.

## Personality

The personality of Lord Jagannath is often described as all-encompassing and benevolent. Here are some aspects of his personality:

* **Compassionate and Merciful:** Lord Jagannath is believed to be extremely compassionate and merciful, and devotees seek his blessings for love, kindness, and forgiveness.
* **Universality:** The name "Jagannath" itself means "Lord of the Universe," reflecting his universal nature and his connection to all living beings.
* **Mysterious and Enigmatic:** The deity is often seen as mysterious and enigmatic, with his form and rituals shrouded in mysticism and symbolism, adding to his allure and significance.
* **Unifying:** Lord Jagannath is considered a unifying force, bringing people from diverse backgrounds together in devotion and celebration, particularly during the annual Rath Yatra festival.

Overall, the personality of Lord Jagannath is characterized by his universal appeal, compassion, and enigmatic nature, making him a central figure in Hindu spirituality and worship.

## Powers and Abilities

**Existential Manifestations:** Jagannatha can manifest through various aspects and personalities more in tune with the local circumstances due to being an entity that either lacks a specific form, nature and/or identity, is too vast and complex, too transcendent, or simply too alien to interact with lesser beings and lower planes safely and effectively.

**Genesis Creation:** Jagannatha creates other lesser or equal beings from themselves and make as many beings as they want without losing any energy.

**Mimicries:** Power to become non-living beings or mimic their characteristics. Mimicries may encompass matter, energy, concepts, systems, objcts, and even components of a physiology that should not normally be capable of independently sustaining life (hands, skin, bone, etc). Inanimate version of Physiology.

**Physiologies:** Power to being/become living entities/beings. A physiology is a complete self-sustaining life form. This site also allows inclusion of objects that predominantly appear in fiction as sentient independent actors (eg. sentient robots) as physiologies. Animate version of Mimicry.

**Possession:** Jagannatha can inhabit or take over the body of other beings, whether sentient or not, by stealing their motor functions and senses. Jagannatha has to leave their own body for this to take place. Jagannatha may not even be limited to inhabiting other entities, but inanimate objects, structures or environments as well.

**Replication:** Jagannatha can instantly and perfectly replicate themselves and/or other entities and even objects, often numerous times without losing energy or getting tired. Whilst created in a variety of ways, these clones primarily tend to either formed separately from Jagannatha through various means, such as through the use of external elements or other sources, or directly from Jagannatha, such as through Jagannatha's form splitting into several individual beings that are usually able to recombine afterwards. Jagannatha has both of these abilities (if subconsciously), copying their clothes or other equipment along with their body and will normally be able to maintain control over all copies.

**Omnireplication:** Jagannatha possesses the remarkable ability to replicate anything effortlessly and flawlessly, whether it be themselves, others, objects, deities, knowledge, wounds, powers, skills, or any other conceivable entity or attribute, instantly and endlessly, without the slightest exertion.

**Shapeshifting:** Jagannatha can change their shape, size, color, density, texture, cellular composition, and/or atomic composition to mimic qualities, impersonate entities, amplify abilities, and/or traverse environments. The origins of this power play a significant role in their capabilities and limitations; altering oneself on a cellular, atomic, and/or conceptual level will permit varying degrees of alteration; while methods that defy the laws of reality, such as magic, will most likely keep to their own set of conventions.

**Omnifarious:** Jagannatha has complete and absolute control over their own *physical* being, allowing them to manipulate their shape, density, size, quantity or to be solid, liquid, gaseous, or pure energy. They can spread their form into smaller segments that keep their ability to transform and recombine as they wish. Jagannatha can take any form that they can imagine, independently from the laws of physics and logic.

## Myths and Legends

Here are some myths and legends about the Hindu God Jagannatha:

* Jagannatha is a major deity worshipped in the Indian state of Odisha, and there are many interesting stories and legends associated with him.
* In Hindu mythology, Jagannath is regarded as an avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu.
* The temple dedicated to Jagannath in Puri, known as the Jagannath Temple, has a rich history and is an important center of worship.
* Jagannath is often referred to as the Lord of the Universe, as he is believed to be the lord of the three worlds - the heavens, earth, and the netherworld.
* Lord Jagannath is considered a unifying force, bringing people from diverse backgrounds together in devotion and celebration, particularly during the annual Rath Yatra festival.

These are just a few examples of the myths and legends surrounding the Hindu God Jagannatha. His stories and significance are deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and continue to inspire devotion and reverence among his followers.

## Trivia

Here is some trivia about the Hindu God Jagannatha:

* Lord Jagannath is not only considered as a Hindu God. His devotees include personalities of all religions, casts, and races.
* The temple houses three primary deities – Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra. They are crafted from a unique type of neem wood.
* The Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, is a revered temple where Lord Krishna is worshipped as Lord Jagannath.
* The temple is famous for its annual Rath Yatra festival, where the deities are taken out in grand processions on chariots.
* The rituals and traditions associated with Lord Jagannath have been passed down through generations and continue to be practiced with great devotion.