Jagannath Temple Ranchi, Jharkhand

About

The Jagannath Temple Ranchi was built in 1691. It was constructed by the great King Thakur Anish Nath Shahdeo of Barkagarh. A marble slab outside the sanctum informs about the founder and the foundation year of the temple. It is believed that the Jagannath Temple was constructed to revive the faith and belief of the tribal in Hindu religion. As during the 17th century, many people started leaving Hinduism, the believers of Hinduism started erecting temples like the Jagannath Temple to retain the identity of Hinduism. The temple collapsed in 1990. Then Bihar government renovated the temple and now it has regained its lost glory. The original shrine was built in the form of a fort.

The worship of Lord Jagannath at this temple is quite different from other Hindu temple. Here the priests are known as Panda. Devotees can bath in the river and then worship the deity. The worship starts with offering flowers and food to Lord Jagannath. At afternoon, the deities are offered lunch, known as Bhog. The evening aarti of the Jagannath Temple is serene. Similar to the Puri Rath Yatra, an annual fair cum rath yatra is held at this temple in the month of ashadha, attracting thousands of tribal and non-tribal devotees.

How to reach

By Air: Instead of Bokaro Steel City you can a get flight to Ranchi Airport on regular basis.

By Train: There are regular trains from other major cities of the country to Bokaro Steel City.
Railway Station: Chandrapura Junction (CRP), Bokaro Thermal (BKRO), Bokaro Steel City (BKSC).

By Bus: Bokaro Steel City is well connected to other major cities of the country via regular buses.
Bus Station: Bokaro.

History

As per Hindu mythology, Lord Jagannath is considered to be the Lord of the Universe. The worship of Lord Jagannath and the foundation of the temple dates back to the glorious past of Vaishnavism and its founder, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The deities are not very simple here, without much jewellery and clothes.The deity of Lord Hanumana is present inside the gates of the temple, symbolizing to be a guard of the Lord, while outside the temple you can find the statue of Garuda.

Architecture

The Jagannath Temple Ranchi is almost a replica of the famous Jagannath Temple of Puri, Orissa. However, it is comparatively smaller in size than the Jagannath Temple of Puri. Jagannatha, Balbhadra and Subhadra are worshiped at the temple. All the deities are engraved out of Neem wood. The temple is exquisite with intricate carvings. The temple is colourful with unique blend of colours. The interiors of the temple are in the form of a fort. The Jagannath Temple Ranchi has been built in the Kalinga style of architecture. There is a tall sanctum within the temple. The temple also consists of a Jagamohana and Nata Mandir. The temple is especially important for devotees belonging to the Vaishnavism cult.