Jagannatha Among Dasavatar?
Puri Priests Unhappy

BY: SUN STAFF CORRESPONDENT


May 23, 2012 — JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA The state government's decision to install a sculpture of Lord Jagannath among the ten avatars (dasavatar) of Lord Vishnu at the entrance of the 12th century Jagannath Temple has kicked up a storm in Puri. Priests and Jagannath researchers see red over the decision, saying "Lord Jagannath was never a member among the dasavatar."

According to sastra, the dasavatar include Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parshurama, Rama, Krishna-Balaram, Buddha and Kalki.

The Jagannath Temple administration decided to install Jagannath's idol in the place of Buddha, much to the chagrin of priests. "How can the temple violate age-old tradition? You visit other temples, nowhere such deviation is found," said Balabhadra Mohapatra, a fumed priest.

"We will protest if the temple administration still goes ahead with its erring decision," said Rabindranath Panda, another priest.

The state government-run Jagannath Temple administration is undecided whether or not to listen to the demands of priests. The temple's Public Relations Officer, Laxmidhar Pujapanda said: "We are discussing with scholars and priests to resolve the crisis."

Images of the dasavatar, including Jagannath, were enshrined on the wall of the temple entrance in 18th century, sources said. The temple administration recently decided to replace those old idols with new ones. Sculptors are busy giving finishing touch to the new dasavatar sculptures. Archeological Survey of India (ASI), custodian of the Jagannath Temple, would install the dasavatar images soon after completion of the ongoing repair work at the shrine entrance.

"There were protests in the past as well to change the idol, but nothing happened. The temple administration should immediately interfere and install Buddha's sculpture instead of jagannath," a researcher said.


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