The Jagannath Temple of Gayatri Nagar is the only temple in Chhattisgarh where Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra begins by the Chhattisgarh Chief (Governor and Chief Minister) performing the ritual of cleaning the route with a golden broom. It is known as Chhera-Pahara ritual.Apart from the Chief Minister, other ministers also find a way to serve the Lord in bringing the idol of God from the sanctum sanctorum to the outside. Devotees throng to see such a moment. Despite the tight security arrangements of the police personnel, there is no room left for the footing in the temple.
The temple was constructed three years after the formation of Chhattisgarh
The founder president of Shri Jagannath Temple Committee Purandar Mishra says that the foundation stone of the temple was laid during the year 2000 when the state of Chhattisgarh was formed. The construction of the temple was completed in 2003, three years after the formation of Chhattisgarh.
Pranapratishta was done by bringing idols from Odisha:-
Statues made from neem wood were brought from Odisha. The learned Acharyas of Puri Mool Mandir duly performed the idol of Lord Jagannath, Bhaiya Balabhadra and Sister Subhadra.
Makeup material is ordered from Puri:-
During the Rath Yatra festival, attire and ornaments are ordered from Puri for enchanting make-up. In the Puri temple, makeup is done on the same lines as the Lord’s makeup.
First temple of the state where brothers and sisters go on three chariots
In the temple located in Puri, Odisha, on three different chariots, the chariot journey is carried out by the Lord, his elder brother and sister. Similarly, this is also the first temple in Chhattisgarh where the journey on three chariots leaves. Lord Jagannath’s chariot is called ‘Nna Nandi Ghosh’ and elder brother Balabhadra’s chariot is called ‘Taladhwaj’ and sister Subhadra’s chariot is Dal Devadalan ‘chariot. Balaramji’s chariot is taken in front, Subhadraji’s chariot in the middle and Jagannathji’s chariot in the last.
Gundicha temple under the original temple:-
After duly worshiping in the sanctum sanctorum situated at a great height from the ground floor, the Lord is given a tour on the chariot to visit the areas of Gayatri Nagar, Sankaranagar, BTI Ground etc. After the Yatra, the Lord sits on the ground floor under the original temple for 10 days, which is called Mausi’s house (Gundicha Temple).
Sri Krishna-Arjuna’s Chariot Center of Attraction:-
A tableau presenting the scene of the Gita sermon given to Arjuna by Lord Sri Krishna mentioned in the Mahabharata is the center of attraction as soon as the temple enters through the main gate. The horse pulling the chariot made of stone and the statue of Sri Krishna in the form of a charioteer and Arjuna behind it is visible.
Booking is offered in the temple:-
Any devotee can offer khichdi and delicacies to Lord Jagannath. For this, booking has to be done in advance. In addition to the enjoyment of God, family, relatives, guests or all the members who have to have food will have to book it several days in advance. Many devotees come to the temple who make bookings on the birthday or other auspicious occasions of their family members to offer food to God and eat food.
