Narasimha – Nrusingh Jayanti, which falls on Vaishakh Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi (May), holds great significance in the Jagannath tradition. On this day, Lord Jagannath at Puri is considered to be an embodiment of Lord Narasimha, and devotees worship him accordingly.
Skanda Purana, on the other hand, narrates that the appearance of Narasimha took place on a Saturday during dusk, on the 14th day of the lunar month of Baishakha, under the Swati Nakshatra.
Narasimha is consecrated at various places within and outside the Jagannath temple in Puri. One such site is Chakra Narasimha, where King Indradyumna is believed to have received the wooden blocks for the construction of the temple. A small temple dedicated to Lord Chakra Narasimha is located on the seashore and is worshipped daily.
The temple of Chakra Narasimha holds immense religious importance. The garland of consent, known as Agnyamala, is obtained from this temple and carried to the main temple of Jagannath. Once placed on the Ratna Singhasana, the religious rituals of Narasimha Janma (birth of Narasimha) are commenced by the priests.
Likewise, the garland of consent from the sanctum sanctorum of Jagannath’s temple is offered at Chakra Narasimha’s temple for the Narasimha Jayanti rituals. This ritualistic exchange of garlands underscores the reverence and significance accorded to both Lord Jagannath and Lord Narasimha in the Jagannath tradition.
On this day, after the Sandhya Dhupa of Lord Jagannath, the Mahajana Sevaka from Dakshina Ghara will enthrone Sri Nrusingha. After receiving the Pujapanda’s order of consent, a representative idol of Shri Nrusingha will be placed on the couch on the Mukti Mandap by the Mahajana Sevak. Inside the temple of Shri Nrusingha, Pati Mahapatra will perform the Mahasnana Puja, and on the mandap, the Pujapanda will perform the Mahasnana Puja next to Shri Nrusingha. After the completion of Mahasnana, both of them will offer Shitala Bhoga in the Panchopachara method. After the Bandapana Ritual, Shri Nrusigha will sit on the couch Vimana at the Mukti Mandap. Then, the Bhoga Bandapana Niti will commence, and Shri Nrusingh will return to the temple. After that, some other nitis like Alaat Lagi and other rituals will commence.
On this day, in addition to the celebration of Lord Sri Nrusingha, a garland from the Srijaganath deity representing the order of consent will be taken to Shri Chakra Nrusingha at the seashore in a procession, and offered to Lord Chakra Nrusingha. On the birthday of Sri Chakra Narayan or Sri Chakra Narasingha, it is customary to visit the temple and pay respects to him. Therefore, this trip is considered very important.
