Jagannath- Dharma is a collection of, probably, all existing and possible facets of spirituality. It`s indigenous affluence combines and absorbs within its fold diverse cross-cultural spiritual philosophies, and, at times, transcends them. "Jagannath- Dharma" is the appropriate manner to name the eternal (sanatana) concept of spirituality. It is not merely intellectual conformity or traditional devoutness. It is neither an amalgam, but a spiritual fusion. It is expansive and constrictive, pluralistic and sectarian. Its lesson states that religion must be interpreted not in terms of any particular faith but simply as a means of lacking at the world of human - experience as a whole.

Jagannath was entitled "Purusottama" since his origin at Puri or Purusottam - Kshetra (the abode of Purusottam) ever since pre-historic times. The Rig Veda refers to him as the Daru (sacred log of wood) of Purusottama, afloat on the eastern sea. The name"Jagannath" (Lord of the Universe) is consistently a communal representation of the Triad (Jagannath - Balabhadra - Subhadra) and has been in use since the dawn of the previous millennium. Jagannath- Dharma supposes in the Rig Vedic concept of the Supreme Truth. The Triad, conceived as one, represents the three attributes of creation, maintenance and destruction. The use of "OM" in the worship is a reflection of the Vedic strain. Sudarshana, the Jyoti Brahma, represents the indistinct and along with the Triad is conceived as one. The Supreme is shown as surpassing contradiction in his infinite perfection. He consists of multiform manifestations. He is Siva or Bhairava and goddess Vimala is Bhairavi. Saivism and Saktism are merged into him. The use of "Klim" mantra in worship offers him a tantric image. The Triad is deified by the Jainas as manifestation of the Jaina "Tri-ratna" (three gems of Jainism) representing right knowledge, right thought and right perception. Jagannath is identified with the Buddha. His iconographic representation without hands and feet is approximating to the meditating Buddha. The Triad is illustrated as Buddha, Dharma and Sangha - the three gems of Buddhism. Some Buddhists also find discernible affinity of the car-festival with Buddhist festivals. The Tooth-relic of Buddha is supposedly within the images of the triad and is known as "Brahma-Padartha" (Divine-Matter).

Initial acrimony and ignorance of the Muslims witnessed several attempts of desecration of the Jagannath Temple during the early period of Muslim reign. Tradition has it that Kabir visited Puri and was enamored by the Triad. He set up a monastery in Puri known by the name of Kabir- Chaura. Till date, Hindus and Muslims visiting Puri go there first and together eat food and drink (Torani). Similar is the tradition of "Guru Ka Langar" at Bauli and Mangu monasteries set up to commemorate Guru Nanak`s visit to Puri. Adi Sankaracharya visited Puri and set up his monastery (Govardhan Math) under his disciple Padma padacarya savants.

After much toil and tactic, Vidyapati succeeded in locating Neel Madhab. However Indradyumna failed to catch a glimpse of the deity. However, the King`s determination to have a glimpse of the deity was rewarded by the Gods with an oracular dream in which he was instructed to worship Jagannath Dev. He was asked to build the idol with a piece of Neem wood that would be found at the seashore. True to the prophecy, the King found the neem wood at the seashore and requested Lord Vishwakarma, the heavenly mason, to model the Jagannath idol. Vishwakarma accepted the offer but put one condition, that nobody should disturb him or a steal a look until he had finished doing his work.

The King promised to follow his wishes and Vishwakarma began modeling the Jagannath idol. However, curiosity being an irresistible urge, the King could not help stealing a glance at Vishwakarma`s work. The idol was still incomplete and Vishwakarma was infuriated. At that time all except the arms of the deities were finished. Vishwakarma, exasperated at the King`s audacity, left without completing his work. Thus came Lord Jagannath with his incomplete limbs, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. The three deities were installed in the temple of Puri. Amusingly, the wooden images being worshipped are renewed during special occasions. New images have been installed in the years 1863, 1893, 1931, 1950, 1969 and 1977.

Puri was center of Buddhist worship, prior to its transformation into a center of Vaishnavism again. The Rath Yatra at Puri has its parallel with the chariot parade of the Buddha`s tooth at Dantapuri. Puri is located on the gentle slope of the Nila hill, adjacent to the sea. A sacred banyan tree is venerated as a manifestation of Vishnu, the ocean - Balarama and a pool- the king Indradyumna. Pilgrims are required to offer worship first at a Shiva temple, followed by the banyan tree and then at the shrine to Balarama before proceeding to worship Jagannath. Subhadra is worshipped subsequently. The temple was formerly built by the Kalinga ruler Anantavarman Chodaganga (1078 - 1148 CE). King Ananga Bhima Deva built most of the present structure in the year 1174 CE. The construction took 14 years to complete and was sanctified in 1198 CE. It is believed that the image of Jagannath was buried thrice in the Chilka Lake for protection from invaders.

Puri represents one of the four peethas established by Sankaracharya, the other four being Sringeri in south India, Dwarka in Saurashtra, and Badrinath in the Himalayas. Ramananda of the 14th century - a disciple of the Sri Vaishnava religious leader Ramanuja, is also associated with this temple. Chaitanya of the 15th - 16th centuries popularized the worship of Jagannath.

Architecture
The enormous temple complex occupies an area of over 4,00,000 square feet, and is hemmed in by a 20 feet high-fortified wall. The complex contains about 120 temples and shrines and the shikhara of the Jagannath temple soars to a height of 192 feet. Structurally the temple consists of four chambers. The outermost is the Bhogmandir, the next is the Nata-mandir pillared hall for music and dance, then follows the Jagamohana - or the mandapa where devotees gather for worship and the final is the sanctum or the Deul preserving the deities.

Festivals
Elaborate reverence services are carried out in the temple throughout the day. There are as many as 24 festivals each year, the most important one of them being the Rath Yatra or the Chariot festival in the month of June - July. The extravagant chariot festival involves the procession of three colossal chariots bearing the images of Jagannath, Balarama and Subhadra through the streets of Puri. Jagannath`s chariot is a 35 feet square, rising to a height of 45 feet, with 16 wheels, 7 feet in diameter. More than 4000 people haul the chariot. Thousands of people from all over the country gather to witness this festival. The chariot is dragged to the deity`s summer abode where the deities are worshipped for a week, and then a re-enactment of the chariot festival, where they are brought back in procession takes place. New chariots are prepared every year for the procession.

The Mahaprasada is a pure vegetarian spiritual food offered to Lord Jagannath. It is believed that, consuming the mahaprasada creates great spiritual advancement. Everyday, fifty-six varieties of prasada are presented to Lord Jagannath. The preparations are made traditionally and no onion, garlic, chillies or many varieties of vegetables (considered alien) are used. These Offerings after being made to Lord Jagannath are in turn again offered to Goddess Bimala Devi in the temple precincts and then becomes Mahaprasadam. This Mahaprasadam is considered efficient for spiritual liberation. One is said to respectfully honor the Mahaprasadam sitting on the floor. This Mahaprasadam is available daily after 3 -5 pm and sold outside the sanctorum area but within the temple premises. The Mahaprasadam is said to remain hot for a long time as it is kept in the same earthen pots, which are used for cooking them.