Jagannath — Lord of the Universe

"Jagannath" means the Lord of the whole universe. At Puri he is worshipped with Balabhadra and Subhadra, and his Rath Yatra is famous throughout the world.

Formed from "jagat", the world, and "natha", lord, the name Jagannath proclaims that the Lord belongs not to one place or community but to the whole universe. At Puri in Odisha, Krishna is worshipped by this name together with his elder brother Balabhadra and his sister Subhadra. Puri is one of the four great dhams.

According to the story told in tradition and the Puranas, the Lord appeared in a dream to King Indradyumna and asked him to have his form carved from a sacred log that would come floating in from the sea. An aged craftsman, believed to be Vishvakarma himself, agreed to do the work on condition that no one would open the door until he had finished. When no sound came from inside for many days, the anxious queen had the door opened too soon, and the deities remained in their unfinished-looking form, whose great round eyes enchant devotees to this day.

On the second day of the bright half of Ashadha, the three deities ride on huge chariots to the Gundicha temple. Ahmedabad also holds a grand Rath Yatra on Ashadhi Bij. Jagannath's mahaprasad is shared by people of every background, sitting together. Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu spent his final years at Puri, absorbed in love for Jagannath.

Name Sa

जगन्नाथ

Name Roman

Jagannath

Meaning

lord of the universe

Source

Puri temple tradition; Skanda Purana (Purushottama Kshetra account)