Inside the Jagannath Temple, different idols of Lord Jagannath include Patitapaban Jagannath at the main entrance for devotees who cannot enter, Tirtheswar Jagannath symbolizing the Lord of pilgrimage sites, Neelamadhab Jagannath representing the ancient blue-colored deity, and Bata Jagannath at the Bata Ganesh temple, symbolizing the deity as a protector. Each idol emphasizes different aspects of Lord Jagannath’s divinity, providing various ways for devotees to connect and worship.
Patitapaban Jagannath – installed in Gumuta Griha at the main entrance of the temple, need of installation occur because of Gajapati Rama Chandra Dev (1732 to 1743 AD) had married one Muslim girl under circumstance occurred. He became irreligious, had no permission to enter temple premises & get the darshan to Shri Jagannath. But King was devoted to Lord Jagannath could not stay happy even if ruptured from Hinduism. He had obedient to Lord Jagannath Culture, for these reason pundits of Lord Jagannath Temple commiserate to Gajapati , and installed bigraha of Lord Jagannath near Singhadwara. King now privileged to get the darshan of Lord Jagananth from the grand road, known as Badadanda. From that day installed bigraha worshiped as Patitapabana.
Tirtheswar Jagananth – One another image installed near Western Gali of the Temple. The small shrine known as “Chardham Mandir”, some also call it Rameswar Mandir. Shri Jagannath bigraha ( idol ) is installed along with the reprehensive images of Badrinath, Rameswaram and Dwarika. It is said that Sankaracharya sacred all four iamges in this small temple. Locally told and believe that anyone has the ‘darshan’ of four deities her, devotee will have the benefits of Char Dham. The idol installed here is worshipped as Titheswara Jagannath.
Neelamadhab Jagannath – 3ft hight idol of Shri Jagananth is installed in Neelamadhab Temple ( Bhitara Bedha ) . Lord Jagananth has worshiped by the side of Neelamadhab Mahaprabhu. Neelamadhab is main deity of this shrine.
Bata Jagannath – 5ft height Lord Jagnnath named as Bata Jagannath according to name of Bata Brukhya ( Kalpa Bata ) . The idol has placed just near to south of Kalpabata. On the day of ‘Snana Purnima’, the Anasara rituals are observed in the temple of Bata Jagannath, the rituals of nabakalebara is also observed in the temple Bata jagannath. The ‘Pinda’ of bata Jagananth is buried in koili Baikuntha. Interestingly Arnaprasad is not offered to Bata Jagananth, sevaka offer dry ‘bhoga’ includes ‘Ballav’, ‘Kakara Pitha’ and Kora. Bhakti Cult saint poet Atibadi Jagananth Das had written Odia Bhagabata in front of Batabihari Jagannath. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had met Jagananth Das and bestowal the title ‘Atibadi’ for great spiritual expositions on Bhagbata Odiya. Bata Jagannath is also worshiped as “Bhagbata Kalia” in the Grand Temple ( Bada Deula ). charya Baladev Vidyaratna had written here his famous commentary on ‘Brahma Sutra’, known as ‘Govinda Bhasyam’. Chandan Hajuri (Chakhi Khuntia ) one great patriotic poet had written many beautiful vajan near Bata Jagannath.
The concept of the four idols of Lord Jagannath inside the Jagannath Temple reflects the deep spiritual diversity and inclusiveness of Jagannath culture. These four forms—Patitapaban Jagannath, Tirtheswar Jagannath, Neelamadhab Jagannath, and Bata Jagannath—symbolize different aspects of the same Supreme Lord, allowing devotees to connect with Him in multiple ways.
Rather than being limited to a single form, Lord Jagannath is worshipped in varied manifestations across the temple परिसर, each representing accessibility, protection, pilgrimage, and ancient divinity. This aligns with the broader tradition where Jagannath is seen as a universal deity beyond boundaries of caste, place, or status.
In conclusion, these four idols emphasize that Lord Jagannath is not confined to one image or ritual but is present everywhere for every devotee. They beautifully express the philosophy that the Lord is all-inclusive, ever-accessible, and eternally compassionate, making the Jagannath tradition unique in Hindu worship.
Chakhi Khuntia alias Chandan Hajuri, was the 1st legendary figures of National Freedom Movement of India.
This great man was born on the sacred tithi (day) of Shamba Dasami in the year 1827 in the famous Hajuri family of Puri Harachandi Sahi. His father Raghunath Khuntia alias Bhimasen Hajuri was a sevak (servant) of the Lord Jagannath. Since the child was born his father was dressing the Lord with sandle-paste (Chandan), for this he was given the name “Chandan Hajuri”. His mother was Kamalavati, a pious lady. In his childhood he was taught Oriya language and literature in a Chatasali (pre-school). With his own interest he learned Hindi to enable him for communicating with “Yatris” (Pilgrims) of Lord Jagannath. He had also desire to learn History and Geography of India, her hoary heritage and heroic tales of her national leaders. Being a denizen of Puri he was always involved with all sorts of physical exercises at the Akheda or Jagaghara (local name for Gym) of Puri. At the age of 12 he got married to Sundarmani. He always accompanied his father for pilgrimage to northern India with the tourists. During that time he came closer with eminent personalities of India’s Freedom Movement like Meropanth, father of Laxmi Bai, Laxmi Bai herself and attracted towards India’s Freedom Movement.
It is matter of pride for us that this great son of Orissa soil of the 19th century was not only inspired by the heroic deeds of a host of Indians, but also he himself inspired a large number of soldiers who sacrificed their lives bravely on the holy soil of the Mother India. He will be ever remembered by us as an immortal poet, a national hero, a great patriot and renowned devotee of Lord Jagannath.