Shree Jagannath temple holds a devotional and important place in the hearts of pilgrims. This temple attracts thousands of devotees every year. People from every part of the world visit the town, Puri, for this temple. This temple is also one of the four sacred places (Char Dham) for devotees in Hindu Religion. The Char Dham has special importance for people believing this religion. It is also well known for its annual ‘Rath Yatra’. This Yatra has very special importance for every pilgrim. Every year this yatra attracts thousands of devotees every single day, where everyone wants to touch the holy Rath and worship their god.
Apart from these Facts and Statistics, there are several mysteries of this temple. There are certain Facts which defy any scientific explanation. Some of these are still a big question for the present scientists. Let us look at some of the Facts and Statistics about this historical temple.
The Temple has no Shadow
Scientists and researchers have no valid explanation for this phenomenon. The Main Structure of the temple does not cast any shadow during day time. The shadow of the main dome can not be observed during the daytime. Researchers have tried to apply the same technique and architecture to build another structure. But every reverse engineering effort remains unsuccessful till today. Thus the construction of such structure still remains a big question for scientifically advanced mankind.
The Movement of Flag
The Shree Jagannath temple has a flag at its top like most of the temples. The flag, like every other normal flag, blows with the wind. But, the direction of the movement of the flag is always opposite of the wind. It always flows to the opposite direction of the wind. Many researchers have tried to explain the phenomenon but none of them could present any scientific base to it. The movement of the flag questions the very basic principles of science and logic. The flag continues to flow opposite of the wind and people can only look it as an unsolved mystery. Or the presence of a much greater force than science.
Shree Jagannath Temple is a No-Fly Zone
The Shree Jagannath Temple is a no-fly zone. The No-Fly Zone is not imposed by any government due to security concerns. But, it is a geographical no-fly zone. Yes, in the holy temple of Jagannath Puri nothing flies over the temple. No Birds, Planes fly above it. While the planes have been ordered to avoid the airspace above the temple. There exists no present technology by which we can order Birds the same. Yet you will find no Birds flying above the temple. This mystery does not have any logical or scientific explanation till today’s date. Devotees believe that the temple is the home of the Lord Jagannath and thus no one can fly above it.
Mystery of Simhadwaram
The Shree Jagannath Temple is filled with many unsolved mysteries. The Simhadwaram or the Main Gate of the temple also poses a mystery. There is a total number of four doors in the holy temple. As the temple is built very near to the sea, one can easily hear the sound of waves. The sound of waves can also be heard right outside the temple. But, as soon as a person enters from the ‘Simhadwaram’ the sound vanishes. As soon as you come out of the temple the sound becomes audible again. The sound can be heard all-around at the boundary of the temple. But as soon as you enter the temple there is no sound. Now, this can be an engineering phenomenon to build a soundproof yet open temple. But it is very hard to accept and swallow once you feel this phenomenon.
Shree Jagannath Temple’s Sudarshan Chakra Mystery
The Shree Jagannath Temple has a ‘Sudarshan Chakra‘ at its very top. This Sudarshan Chakra is of twenty feet height and weighs about a ton. This chakra has its own religious and devotional importance. The scientific mystery surrounding that chakra is more fascinating. This “Sudarshan Chakra” is placed at the top of the temple in such a way that it is visible from every corner of the city. Now, you may wonder what is mysterious in that. The Sudarshan Chakra always appears to be facing towards you irrespective of your position in the city. You will always feel that the chakra is facing you.
Shree Jagannath Temple Mystery of Prasadam
As Shree Jagannath temple is one of the “Char Dham” of Hindu Religion it attracts many devotees. These devotees can vary from 2000 to 200000 every day. Like many other temples, the Jagannath Puri temple also distributes prasad to its devotees. The Mystery associated with Prasad is that it is cooked in the same amount every day. Thus irrespective of 2000 devotees or 200000 devotees the amount of prasad cooked is the same. Yet every person gets their share of prasad and none of it is wasted every day. This is a continuous process in the temple and people belives it is all possible because of some divine power.
The Cooking Technique
The cooking technique used in cooking of prasad for the temple is a mystery of itself. The food is cooked by firewoods and in pots. These pots are placed on top of each other. Finally, all of the seven pots are put under the firewood. Surprisingly the topmost pot is cooked first, followed by the second most and so on. In the end, the last pot is cooked. The same process is followed each and every day. Thus the prasad mystery continues to challenge logical and scientific principles.
