Vimala Temple - Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

8/13/2019 Vimala Temple - Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

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VimalaTemple

ClusteroftemplesinthesouthernpartofJagannathtemplecomplex,includingtheVimalatemple(extremeright).c.1890.

LocationwithinOrissa

Coordinates: 194817N85496E

Location

Country: India

State: Orissa

District: Puri

VimalaTempleFromWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia

TheVimalaTempleorBimala

TempleisaHindutemple

dedicatedtogoddessVimala(Bimala),locatedwithinthe

JagannathTemplecomplexin

PuriintheIndianstateofOrissa.

Itisgenerallyregardedasa

ShaktiPitha,amongtheholiest

templesdedicatedtotheHindu

Goddess.

Thetempleislocatedinthe

south-westcorneroftheinner

enclosureoftheJagannath

templecomplexandonthe

westerncornerofthetowerof

Jagannath,nexttothesacred

pondRohinikunda.Thetemple

faceseastandisbuiltofsandstoneandlaterite.Itisbuilt

intheDeulastylewithfourcomponents;vimana(structure

containingthesanctum),

jagamohana(assemblyhall),

nata-mandapa(festivalhall)and

bhoga-mandapa(hallof

offerings).Thetemplewasrenovatedaround2005andis

maintainedbytheArchaeological

SurveyofIndia,Bhubaneswar

Circle.

VimalaTemple

Coordinates:194817N85496
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Orissa_locator_map.svghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Orissa_locator_map.svghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Orissa_locator_map.svghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeological_Survey_of_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeological_Survey_of_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhubaneswarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandapahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vimanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandstonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakti_Pithahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orissahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagannath_Temple,_Purihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_templehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Minor_temples_in_Jagannath_Puri.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Minor_temples_in_Jagannath_Puri.jpghttp://tools.wmflabs.org/geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Vimala_Temple&params=19_48_17_N_85_49_6_E_type:landmark_region:IN_scale:5000http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_coordinate_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Orissa_locator_map.svghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhubaneswarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeological_Survey_of_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandapahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagamohanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vimanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateritehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandstonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancha_Tirtha_of_Purihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakti_Pithahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orissahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagannath_Temple,_Purihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_templehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puri_districthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orissahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiahttp://tools.wmflabs.org/geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Vimala_Temple&params=19_48_17_N_85_49_6_E_type:landmark_region:IN_scale:5000http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_coordinate_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Minor_temples_in_Jagannath_Puri.jpg


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Locale: JagannathTemple

premises

Architectureandculture

Primarydeity: Vimala(Bimala)

Important

festivals:

DurgaPuja

Architectural

styles:

Kalingaarchitecture

(Deula)

History

Datebuilt:

(Currentstructure)

9thcentury

Website: http://www.jagannath.nic.in

Thoughasmallshrineinthe

templecomplex,theVimala

templeisimportanttothe

Goddess-orientedShaktaand

Tantricworshippers,whorevere

itevenmorethanthemain

Jagannathshrine.VimalaisconsideredtobetheTantric

consortofJagannathanda

guardianofthetemplecomplex.

DevoteespayrespecttoVimala

beforeworshippingJagannathin

themaintemple.Foodofferedto

Jagannathdoesnotget

sanctifiedasMahaprasaduntilitisalsoofferedtoVimala.The

Goddess-orientedfestivalofDurgaPujaintheHindumonthofAshvin(October)

iscelebratedforsixteendaysatVimala,culminatingwithVijayadashami.

Contents

1History

2Architecture

2.1Vimana

2.2Jagamohana

2.3Natamandapa

2.4Bhogamandapa

3Religioussignificance

3.1InShaktiPithalists4Worship

4.1Foodofferings

5References

6Bibliography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vijayadashamihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashvinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_monthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durga_Pujahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahaprasad_(Jagannath_Temple)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaktahttp://www.jagannath.nic.in/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalinga_architecturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durga_Puja


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AtypicalDeulatempleplan.Theplanis

similartoVimalaTemple,exceptthe

outermosthallwhichisapidha-deulainthe

VimalaTemple,aKhakharadeulainthe

diagram.

andisbuiltofsandstoneandlaterite.ItisbuiltintheDeulastylethathasfourcomponentsnamely,vimana(structurecontainingthesanctum),jagamohana

(assemblyhall),nata-mandapa(festivalhall)andbhoga-mandapa(hallof

offerings).Thetempleis

maintainedandwasrenovated

around2005bytheArchaeological

SurveyofIndia,BhubaneswarCircle.[2]

Vimana

ThevimanaisaRekhadeula(atallbuildingwithashapeofsugarloaf),

60feet(18m)inheightandin

shapeof15feet(4.6m)square.It

standsona2feet(0.61m)

platform,whichisdecoratedwith

lotusandotherfloraldesignsand

scrollwork.Theouterwallofthe

vimanaisdividedinto5parts(from

basetotop):pabhaga,talajangha,bandhana,uparajanghaandbaranda.Thenichesandinterveningrecessesofthefirstpartofthewallareornate,withkhakharamundis(atypeofniche),scrollwork,floraldesigns,creepers,love-makingcouplesandNagas(serpent-

men).Thenichesandinterveningrecessesofthesecondpartofthewallare

alsodecoratedwithkhakharamundis,simhavidalas(alion-facedbeast),Gajavidalas(aelephant-facedliontramplingalion),jaliwork,scrollwork,sikshadanascene(sagesteachingdisciples)andkirtimukha(amonsterface)motifs,alongwiththefigurinesofeightDikpalas(guardiangodsofthedirections

andsomegoddesses.Thethirdpartoftheouterwallhastwohorizontal

mouldingsdecoratedwithalasa-kanyas(beautifulhumanmaidens),scrollworkandfloralandlotusmotifs.Thenichesandrecessesofthefourthpartofthewall

aredecoratedwithpidhamundis(atypeofniche),simhavidalas,eroticscenes,alasa-kanyas,scrollwork,jaliworkandfloraldesigns,alongwithfiguresoftheconsortsoftheDikpalas,NagasandtheirfemaleconsortNaginisandvarious

goddesses.TheDikpalasandtheirconsortsareseenwiththeirmountsand

alignedtotheirrespectivedirections.[2]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dikpalahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motif_(visual_arts)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirtimukhahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jalihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gajavidalahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yali_(Hindu_mythology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C4%81gahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maithunahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrollworkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_(plant)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugarloafhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deula#Rekha_Deulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhubaneswarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeological_Survey_of_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandapahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagamohanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vimanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateritehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandstonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Simplified_schema_of_Kalinga_architecture.jpg


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Imagesoftheparshvadevatas(attendantdeities)areplacedinthecentral

nichesoftheouterwall(bada)onthreesides:theeight-armedDurgaslayingMahishasuraonthesouth;thesix-armedgoddessChamundastandingon

Shivaonthewestandanemptynicheonthenorth,whichprobablyhada

goddessfigurethatwasstolen.ThelinteloftheattendantdeitynichehasGaja

Lakshmifigurines.Theframesofthenichesaredecoratedwithscrollworkand

kirtimukhamotifsandtwofemaleattendantsaccompanyeachniche.Theuppermostpartoftheouterwallhastenhorizontalmouldings,ornatewith

scrollwork,kirtimukhaandlotusandfloralmotifs.Withinthevimanaliesthe

garbhagriha(sanctum),whichistoppedwithapancharatha-style,curvilineartemplepinnacle.[2]

ThegoddessVimalaisdeifiedwithinthesanctum,thesixthcenturyinner

chamberthatisdevoidofwalldecorations.[1]ThecentraliconofVimalaholdsa

rosaryintheupperrighthand.Herlowerrighthandisheldinaboon-givinggestureandherlowerleftholdsapitcher,consideredtobefilledwith

amrita(celestialelixiroflife).Theattributeintheupperlefthandisheavilydisputed.Descriptionsincludeahumanfigurine,anagini,amermaid,anaga-

pasha(serpent-noose)orsomeotherobject.Sheholdsnoweaponsnormally

attributedtoDurga.Theiconisinstalledonasimhasana(lion-throne),adornedwiththefiguresofthegoddess'femaleattendantsChhayaandMayaonthe

sides.Theimageissaidtobemadeoflakha(atypeofwax)andslightlytallerthan4feet(1.2m).[5][1][2]

Thesanctumdoor,withaflightofstairs,leadsdowntothejagamohana.The

lintelhastheGajaLakshmifigurineinthecentresurroundedwithapsaras

(celestialmaidens).TheNavagraha(deitiesoftheclassicalplanets)arecarved

abovethelintel.Thedoorjambsaredecoratedscrollwork,creepers,flowersand

boysplaying.Twogate-keepersculptorssurroundthedoor.[2]

Jagamohana

Thejagamohanaormukhasalaisapidhadeula(squarebuildingwithapyramidshapedroof),35feet(11m)inheightwitha25feet(7.6m)squarebase.It

standsona2feet(0.61m)highplatform,whichisdecoratedwithfloraldesigns

andscrollwork.Theouterwallisdividedinto5parts,asinthevimana.The

nichesandinterveningrecessesofthefirstpartareadornedwithKhakharamundiniches(havingamorouscouplesanderoticscenes),Nagapilasters,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deula#Pidha_Deulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dvarapalahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navagrahahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apsarahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amritahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varadamudrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikharahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancharathahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garbhagrihahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaja_Lakshmihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lintelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamunda


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scrollwork,jaliworkandfloralmotifs.Thetalajanghahasthesamemotifsasthevimana'ssecondpartofthewall,barringthegoddesses.Thethirdpartofthe

wallhasthreehorizontalmouldings.Thefourthpartofthewallalsoresemblesits

counterpartinthevimana,exceptitdoesnothavetheNagaandgoddess

sculptures.Theuppermostpartofthewallhassevenhorizontalmouldings,the

centralportionofwhichisdecoratedwithdancingwomen,amorouscouples,

elephants,deer,scrollworkandjaliwork.Thegavaksha(decorativearch)onthenorthernandsouthernsidesareroyalcourtandsikshadanascenes,withabalustradedwindowoneachside.Theframesofthewindowsaredecorated

withscrollwork,jaliwork,playingboys,floraldesigns,creepersanddancing

women.Thestructureistoppedwithapyramidalshikhara.Theinnerwallshave

noornamentation.Thejagamohanahastwodoorways:onetowardsthe

sanctum(alreadydiscussedinvimanasection)andothertowardsthe

natamandapa,whichissimilarinstyleanddecorationtotheformer.[2]

Natamandapa

Thenatamandapaisapidhadeula,22feet(6.7m)inheightandinshapeofrectangle35feet(11m)inlengthby18feet(5.5m).Itisprobablyalateraddition

totheoriginaltemple,whichconsistedofthevimanaandjagamohana.Itstands

ona3.5feet(1.1m)platform.Thefivedivisionsoftheouterwallare

undecorated.Itistoppedwithasmallpyramidalpinnacle.Thenatamandapahas

fourdoorways,oneoneachsideofthewall.Innerwallsofthenatamandapaare

adornedwithPattachitra-styletraditionalOrissanpaintings,depictingsixteen

formsoftheHinduGoddess,includingtheMahavidyas. [2]

Bhogamandapa

Thebhogamandapaisapidhadeula,20feet(6.1m)inheightandinshapeof

15feet(4.6m)square.Itstandsona4feet(1.2m)platform.Thefiveouterwalldivisionsareundecorated.Itistoppedwithasmallpinnacle.Aneight-armed

dancingGaneshaanda12-armed,six-headedstandingKartikeya(botharethe

sonsofParvatiansShiva)occupynichesonthewesterninnerwall.Theceiling

hasfloralpaintingswithalotusdesigninthemiddle,suspendingdownwards.

Thebhogamandapahasfourdoorways,openingoneachside.Twofemale

gatekeepersguardeachdoor.Aflightofstepsattheeasterndoorwayservesas

themainentranceofthetemple.[2]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muruganhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganeshahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahavidyashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pattachitrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandrashala


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Jagannathtemplecomplex

Attheentrancetotheshrineoutsidethebhogamandapa,thereisa4feet

(1.2m)Gaja-Simha,thelionthegoddess'vahana(mountorvehicle)ridingoveranelephant,symbolizingthevictoryofgoodoverevil.Itiscoveredbyaflat

roof.[1][2]

ReligioussignificanceTheVimalaTempleisconsideredoneofthe

ShaktiPithas,themostsacredtemplesofthe

HinduGoddess,identifiedwithParvatiorDurgaas

consortofthegodShiva.Itisconsideredtobea

primeexampleoftheimportanceoftheShakticult

inOrissa.[6]ItiscustomarytoworshipShivaat

eachShaktiPithaintheformofBhairava,themalecounterpartorguardianofthepresidinggoddess

oftheShaktiPitha.[7]

InGoddess-orientedworship,Vimala(Bimala)isregardedasthepresiding

goddessofthePurushottama(Puri)ShaktiPitha. [2]Jagannath,aformofthego

Vishnu/Krishna(KrishnaisgenerallyregardedasanavatarofVishnu),is

worshippedasthePitha'sBhairava.Thisisadeparturefromtheusualtradition

ofBhairavaasaformofShiva.So,inthistemplecomplex,VishnuoneoftheHindutrinityisequatedwithShiva,anotherofthetrinity;thisisinterpretedto

conveytheonenessofGod.Inthisregard,Vimala-generallyassociatedwith

Shiva'sconsort-isalsoconsideredasLakshmi,theconsortofVishnu.[1]

Conversely,TantricsconsiderJagannathasShiva-Bhairava,ratherthanaform

ofVishnu.[8]

ThemainsanctumoftheJagannathTemplehasthreedeities:Jagannath,

Balabhadra(elderbrotherofKrishna,sometimesidentifiedwithShiva)andSubhadra(theyoungersisterofKrishnaandBalabhadra).InJagannath-centric

traditions,whileLakshmiistheorthodoxconsortofJagannathinthetemple

complex,VimalaistheTantric(heterodox)consortandguardiangoddessofthe

templecomplex.[9][2]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhairavihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katyayinihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakshmihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subhadrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balabhadrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagannath_Templehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakshmihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trimurtihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishnahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishnuhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagannathhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhairavahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durgahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parvatihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakti_Pithahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vahanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Temple-Jagannath.jpg


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Jagannath(pictured),the

presidingGodofthe

templecomplex,is

describedastheBhairava

orconsortofthegoddessVimala.

VimalaisidentifiedwiththegoddessesKatyayini,Durga,Bhairavi,

BhuvaneshvariandEkanamshainvarioustextsandrituals.Sheisconsidered

theshaktiofVishnuaswellasShivaintheclimacticDurgaPujafestivitiesinthe

temple.SheappearsasMahishasuramardini(Durgaasslayerofthedemon

Mahishasura)orVijayalakshmi(thewarriorformofLakshmi)inNewDelhiKonarkstele,13thcenturystonesteleoriginallyfromKonarkSunTempleand

nowhousedinNationalMuseum,NewDelhi. [10][2]

InShaktiPithalists

AccordingtoHindulegend,Sati,thedaughterof

PrajapatiDaksha,marriedShivaagainstthewishofDaksha.Dakshaorganisedagreatyajna

(sacrifice),butdidnotinviteSatiandShiva.

Uninvited,Satireachedtheyajna-site,where

DakshaignoredSatiandvilifiedShiva.Unableto

withstandthisinsult,Satisacrificedherselfinthe

fire.Thewild,grief-strickenShivawanderedthe

universewithherhalf-burntcorpse.Finally,Vishnu

dismemberedherbodyinto52parts,eachof

whichfellondifferentplacesontheearth,each

creatingaShaktiPitha.[7]

ThelistofShaktiPithasdifferinvariousreligious

texts.ManymentionVimalaorJagannathtemple

complexasaShaktiPitha,andcallsthelocationbyvariousnames.Inthe KalikPurana,fourPithas(centresofTantrism)arementioned,correspondingtothefourcardinaldirections.TheOddiyanaorUddiyana(nowclearlyidentifiedas

Orissa)inthewesthoststhetempleofKatyayini(identifiedwithVimala)andher

consortJagannath.TheHevajaraTantra,whichhasasimilarlist,alsomentionsKatyayiniastheBhairaviandJagannathastheBhairavainthePithaofUdra

(Odra,identifiedwithOrissa).[11][12]

ThePithanirnayaorMahapithanirupanasectionfromtheTantrachudamanimentionsViraja-kshetrainUtkala(present-dayOrissa)asaShaktiPitha,with

Vimalaasthepresidinggoddess(Devi),JagannathasBhairavaandhernavel

asthebodypartthatfellhere.Oneversionofthistext,however,demotesthesit

fromaPithatoanupa-Pitha(subordinatePitha).Here,theUcchishta(thatis,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orissahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utkalahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalika_Puranahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yajnahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakshahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prajapatihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sati_(goddess)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum,_New_Delhihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konark_Sun_Templehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stelehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashtalakshmihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahishasurahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahishasuramardinihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durga_Pujahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaktihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekanamshahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhuvaneshvarihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhairavihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katyayinihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jagannath_during_2011.jpg


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left-overorpartiallyeatenfood)ofSatiissaidtobethe"fallenpart"( anga-pratyanga)andthetemplelocationiscalledNilachalor"Bluemountain",whichithetraditionalnameofthesiteoftheJagannathtemplecomplex. [13]Nilachalor

NilaParvatismentionedasanupa-pithaalsointheShiva-charitawithVimalaandJagannathastheDeviandBhairavarespectively.[14]

TheTantricworkKubjikaTantranamesVimalaamong42SiddhaPithas,whereSiddhis-asetofunusualskills-canbegained.[15]TheDeviBhagavataPurana,PranaToshiniTantraandBrihanNilaTantranametheVimalatempleasaPithaintheirlistof108temples.[16][17]TheMatsyaPuranamentionsPurushottamaKshetrawithgoddessVimalaasaShaktiPitha.TheVamanaPurananotesitasasacredpilgrimagesite.TheMahapithaNirupanamalsomentionsVimalaandJagannathasdeitiesofthePitha.IntheNamasttotraSataaPuraniclistof100mothergoddesses,VimalaofPurushottamaisnamed. [17]

TheDeviPuranaalsomentionsitasaPithawherefeetofSatifell.[18][1][2]

Worship

ThepeopleofOrissatakeprideintheVimalatemple.Theyconsideritthemost

importanttempletotheGoddessandamust-visit.Devoteesvisitthetemple

religiouslyeverydayandrecitehymnsfromtheDeviMahatmya,attributedtothe

sageMarkandeya,DebyaparadhakshyamapanastotrambyAdiShankaraandVimalastakamcomposedbyPurusottamRakshit.[1]ItisprescribedthatdevoteespaytheirrespectstothegoddessVimalabeforeworshipping

Jagannathinthemaintemple.[8][19]ThewatersofRohinikunda,thetirtha(sacredpool)ofVimala,arealsoconsideredholy.[19]Tantricsoftenvisitthe

temple,whichtheyconsidermoreimportantthanthecentralJagannathshrine. [2

TheGoddess-orientedfestivalofDurgaPujaintheHindumonthofAshvin

(October)iscelebratedforsixteendays,culminatingwithVijayadashami. [8]On

Vijayadashami,VimalaisworshippedbythetitularGajapatikingofPuriasthe

goddessDurga,whoisbelievedtohaveslainthedemonMahishasuraonthis

day.TheearliestrecordofthisistheNewDelhiKonarkstele,whichnarratethatKingNarasimhadevaI(reign:12381264)worshippedDurga-Madhava(Vimala

Jagannath)onthetenthdayofDurgaPuja,thatis,Vijayadashami.[20]Asthe
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narasimhadeva_Ihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durgahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gajapati_Kingdomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vijayadashamihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashvinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_monthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durga_Pujahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stotramhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markandeyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devi_Mahatmyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Devi_Purana&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puranichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vamana_Puranahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsya_Puranahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devi_Bhagavata_Puranahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nilachalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etiquette_of_Indian_dining#Contamination_with_saliva


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FoodofferingstoJagannath

becomeMahaprasad(pictured)afterbeingoffered

toGoddessVimala.

goddessisbelievedtoassumeadestructiveaspectduringtheDurgaPuja,

womenaredebarredinthetempleastheyareconsideredtoo"weak-hearted"to

witnessthisterribleformofthegoddess.[1]

Foodofferings

Generally,noseparatefoodofferingsare

cookedforthegoddessVimala.Thegoddess

isdescribedtosurviveontheremnants

(Ucchishta)ofJagannath'smeals.[1]ThevegetarianfoodofferingstoJagannathare

offeredtoVimala,afterwhichtheyare

sanctifiedasMahaprasad(seealsoprasad).TheMahaprasadconsistsofdriedricemixedwithgratedcoconut,cheese,curdand

butter.[19][1]TheShankaracharya,headoftheGovardhanamatha,receivesa

potofthemahaprasadandaplateofkhichdithatisofferedtothegoddess,the

presidinggoddess(Adya-shakti)ofthemathaaswellasofthetemple.[20]

ThelegendnarratesthetalebehindthetraditionofofferingtheUcchishta,whichotherwiseisatabooinHinduism.Once,ShivaonavisittoVishnu'sabode

Vaikuntha,sawthatafewfoodgrains(Ucchishta)hadfallenonthegroundafterVishnufinishedhismeal.Shivaquicklypickedupagrainandswallowedit.

Unbeknownsttohim,halfofitstucktohisbeard.Whenhereturnedtohisabode

thesageNaradasawthehalfgrainonShiva'sbeard,andateit.Parvati,Shiva's

consort,wasupsetthatherrightfulshareofVishnu'sprasadhadbeeneatenby

Narada.Inapeevedmood,shewenttoVishnuandcomplained.Vishnupacifie

hersayingthatintheKaliYuga(thepresenteraasperHindubeliefs),shewould

liveatPuriasVimala,andwoulddailyeattheremnantsofhisfood. [1]

Theonlytimeintheyearwhenseparatefoodiscookedforthegoddessiswhen

sheisofferednon-vegetarianofferings.DuringDurgaPuja,Vimalaisoffered

non-vegetarianfoodandanimalsacrifice,traditionallyofferedtotheHindu

MotherGoddess.Thegoddessisconsideredtoassumeadestructiveform

duringthefestivalandthemeatisconsiderednecessarytoplacateher.Instrict

secrecyduringthepre-dawnhours,animalsacrificeofahe-goatisofferedinthe

temple,whilefishfromthesacredMarkandatempletankarecookedandoffered
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kali_Yugahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naradahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaikunthahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khichdihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shankaracharyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prasadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahaprasad_(Jagannath_Temple)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jagannath_8_-_Abadha_-_Prasad_(Large).jpg


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toVimala,asperTantricrituals.Theritualshavetobecompletedbeforethe

doorsofthemainsanctumofthevegetarianJagannathareopenedatdawnan

thefirstmorningaartiisofferedtothegod.VaishnavadevoteesofJagannath

aredebarredfromthetemple.Onlyafewwhowitnesstheceremonyaregiven

theBimalaparusa(Vimala'scuisine)asprasad.Theanimalsacrificeandthenon-vegetarianofferingstoVimalaproducedprotests.[1]

References

1. âbcdefghijklmnoTripathy,Shrinibas(September2009)."GoddessBimal

atPuri"(http://orissa.gov.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/2009/September/engpdf/66

69.pdf).OrissaReview(GovernmentofOrissae-Magazine):6669.Retrieved23Nov2012.

2. âbcdefghijklmnopqMahapatra,Ratnakar(SeptemberOctober2005).

"VimalaTempleattheJagannathTempleComplex,Puri"(http://orissa.gov.in/e-

magazine/Orissareview/sept-oct-

2005/engpdf/Vimala%20Temple%20at%20the%20Jagannath%20emple%20Com

plex%20Puri.pdf).OrissaReview(GovernmentofOrissae-Magazine):914.Retrieved23Nov2012.

3. âbStarza1993,p.59.

4. Ô'malley2007,p.295.

5. ^Starza1993,p.137.

6. ^Lal1992,p.4294.7. âbJones,Constance;Ryan,JamesD.(2007).EncyclopediaofHinduism(http://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC&pg=PA545).Infobase

Publishing.pp.401402.ISBN978-0-8160-7564-5.Retrieved14November2012

8. âbc"THETEMPLEOFJAGANNATHA"

(http://jagannath.nic.in/pdf/THE%20TEMPLE%20OF%20JAGANNATHA.pdf).

OfficialsiteofJagannathtemple.ShreeJagannathTempleAdministration,Puri.RetrievedNovember25,2012.

9. ^Starza1993,p.20.

10. ^Starza1993,pp.1347.

11. ^Sircar1998,pp.112.

12. ^SinghDeo2001,p.17-8.

13. ^Sircar1998,pp.3541.

14. ^SinghDeo2001,pp.134.

15. ^Sircar1998,p.19.

16. ^Sircar1998,pp.257.

17. âbSinghDeo2001,pp.1334.
http://jagannath.nic.in/pdf/THE%20TEMPLE%20OF%20JAGANNATHA.pdfhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8160-7564-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Standard_Book_Numberhttp://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC&pg=PA545http://orissa.gov.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/sept-oct-2005/engpdf/Vimala%20Temple%20at%20the%20Jagannath%20emple%20Complex%20Puri.pdfhttp://orissa.gov.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/2009/September/engpdf/66-69.pdfhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaishnavahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aarti


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18. ^SinghDeo2001,p.17.

19. ^abcStarza1993,p.10.

20. ^abStarza1993,p.121.

Bibliography

Lal,Mohan(1992).EncyclopaediaofIndianLiterature:SasaytoZorgot(http://books.google.com/books?id=KnPoYxrRfc0C&pg=PA4294).Sahitya

Akademi.ISBN978-81-260-1221-3.

O'malley,L.S.S.(1January2007).BengalDistrictGazetteer:Puri(http://books.google.com/books?id=pwD0-YV2LCYC&pg=PA295).

ConceptPublishingCompany.ISBN978-81-7268-138-8.

Sircar,DinesChandra(1998).ThektaPhas.MotilalBanarsidassPubl.ISBN978-81-208-0879-9.SinghDeo,JitamitraPrasad(2001).TntricArtofOrissa.KalpazPublications.ISBN978-81-7835-041-7.

Starza,O.M.(1993).TheJagannathaTempleatPuri:ItsArchitecture,ArtandCult.BRILL.ISBN978-90-04-09673-8.

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