By Lakshman das
(Article written on 5th Dec 2012)
Special video for Puri Parikrama :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac1mapjwECA (you must watch).
For photos :
https://picasaweb.google.com/106652055478422838217/SriKhetraJagannathPuriParikrama2012Day3
https://picasaweb.google.com/106652055478422838217/SecondDayOfSriKhetraJagannathPuriParikrama2012
https://picasaweb.google.com/106652055478422838217/SriKhetraJagannathPuriParikrama2012FirstDay
By the blessings of Lord Jagannath Balaram Subhadra and Srila prabhupada I was able to attend 7th Sri Khetra Parikrama this year.7000 devotees officially registered for the Parikrama and out of which 400 were international devotees.
This year the Parikrama day was 3rd December 2012, Pancami (appearance of Panchajanya Conch of Sri Krishna). On this day, devotees circumambulated the entire Sri Kshetra dhama, a distance of around 19 Km. This Parikrama has been performed since the time Vidyapati visited Sri Kshetra. ISKCON has been organizing this parikrama for the last seven years, on the specific day prescribed for parikrama as per the scriptures. Sannyasis in attendance:
1. HH Jayapataka Swami 2. HH Lokanath Swami 3. HH Bhakti Vishrambha Madhava Swami 4. HH Bhakti Purosottam Swami 5. HH Gauranga Prem Swami 6. HH Bhakti Gaurav Narayan Swami 7. HH Ram Govinda Swami
This parikrama was organized for three days. Ist and 2nd day was darshan of holy places. 3rd day was 19 km exterior parikrama. Cultural programs like dance drama, bhajan kirtan and lectures by Sannyasis were organized in the evenings of Ist two days. HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj initiated devotees on 2nd day at ISKCON Temple, Puri. HH Bhakti Purosattam Maharaj told devotees that one month Vraj Mandla Parikrama or 7 days Navadwip Mandal parikrama gives the same result as 1 day Sri Khetra Parikrama. In the leadership of HG Venudhari Pr. Mayapur Sankirtan Devotees distributed 5000 Bhagvad Gita. Prasadam cooked by Mayapur devotees headed by HG Radhaduti Prabhu and devotees was fully satisfied.
Day- 1 (Ist December 2012)
Devotees took darshan of Tota Gopinath, Siddha Bakul, Gambhira, House of Sarbabhuma Bhattacharya and Sweta Ganga, Thakur Haridas Samadhi.
Day – 2(2nd December 2012)
Devotees took darshan of Birta Place of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur,Sri Jagannath Ballabha Garden and Narendar Sarovar.
Day – 3(3rd December 2012)
All devotees and Sanyasis assembled at the sea beach near to Hari Das Thakur Samadhi. In leadership of HH Lokanath Swami, devotees took the vow to complete the parikrama and H.G Bhadra Caru prabhu was the priest. Parikrama passed through Thakur Haridas Samadhi (Sea beach), Lokanath Siva Temple, Narendra Sarovar, Athara Nala, Indradumna Sarovar, Lotus foot print of Lord Caitanya, Teli Paria , Banki Mohan, Sonar Gauranga, Beri Hanumana, Chakra Tirta, Mahodadhi Tirtha.
Puri – the Spiritual capital of Orissa known as Jagannath Puri, Nilachala, Nilagiri, Niladri, Purosottam Khetra, Srikhetra and Sankha Khetra. Orissa is known as Utkal. It is situated the Rusikulya River and the Mahanadi River. Previously it was known as Udradesh.
In the Skanda Purana The Glories Of Utkala have been described. Located at the bank of the South Ocean, Utkala is supremely purifying. There are many temples and tirthas all over this state People living in Utkala are sad- achar, good behavior. The brahmanas there are always engaged in studying scriptures and performing yajna. At the beginning of the creation, yajna and the study of the Vedas started from Utkala. This state is known as the ocean of eighteen varieties of knowledge.
By the order of Lord Narayana, Laxmi Devi resides in every house in Orissa. People of this state are very humble and shy in their nature. They are free from disease and mental problems. They serve their parents very sincerely. They are very truthful and devoted to Lord Vishnu. The people of Utkala enjoy helping others and performing welfare works. Greed, wickedness and cheating are absent here. Laxmi devi said–Purushottam kshetra resembles a conch in shape and is graced by the presence of Lord Shiva.
Parikrama highlights:
1. Hearing Sri Jagannath Pastimes by ISKCON Sannyasis 2. Bhajan-Kirtan led by HH Lokanath Swami and Mayapur devotees 3. Lord Jagannath Darsan and taking Mahapradsadam at Ananda Bazar 4. 5000 Bhaggvad-Gita distribution 5. Association of Worldwide Devotees 6. Bathing at Puri sea (Thakur Haridas Mahatirtha)
Srila Prabhupada propagated the message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and established culture of Vaisnava Dharma all over the world and it is very much connected to Jagannatha Puri as Caitanya Mahaprabhu stayed last 18 years as in a deep separation of Krishna.
Srila Prabhupada also extended this Dham every major city of the world by organizing Jagannatha Ratha Yatra and established new Jagannatha Puri Dham at Phoenix, USA.
The glories of the Puri dhama are found in different scriptures as follows:
The four directions of India are sanctified by four main holy places (dhama) dedicated to the worship of God . “Dhama refers to a place where one can immediately contact the Supreme Lord.” (SB 4.8.42p.)Every year millions of pilgrims and tourists visit these four sacred spots : Sri Badrinatha Dhama – in the north; Ramesvaram Dhama-south; Dvaraka Dhama-west; and Jagannatha Puri Dhama-east. While mentioning these four Dhamas, Srila Prabhupada said, “Faithful Hindus still visit all these holy places for perfection of spiritual realization.” ( SB 3.4.22p.)
About the four holy dhamas of Bharat Bhumi (India), it is said that Lord Vishnu meditates at Badrinatha, rules at Dvaraka, sleeps at Rameswaram and eats at Sri Ksetra Nilacala (Puri). As far as eating goes, Gaudia Vaisnavas say that among their three holy dhamas devotees can attain perfection in krishna-prema simply by enthusiastically honoring Jagannatha maha-prasadam in Sri Ksetra Purosottam Dhama. Spiritual perfection is attained by intense performance of hari-nama-sankirtana in Sri Navadvipa Dhama. And in Vrindavana Dhama one attains the spiritual world by worshiping and rolling in the dust (vraja-raja) of Vrindavana while crying piteously to attain the eternal service of the lotus feet of Radhika.
LORD VISHNU ADVISES LORD BRAHMA TO GO TO PURUSHOTTAM KSHETRA
The Sages asked—‘O revered sage! We would like to know more about Purushottam Kshetra, where there is a majestic wooden idol of Lord Vishnu.’
Sage Jaimini replied–The sacrosanct place of Purushottam Kshetra is graced by the presence of Lord Jagannath. During ancient times, Lord Varah had rescued Prithvi from the clutches of Hiranyaksha–the mighty demon who had abducted her to Rasatala. After Prithvi had been established in its original position, Lord Brahma commenced his creations. Lord Brahma wondered about the means by which human beings could get liberated from three major types of sorrow—Adhyatmic (spiritual), Adhidaivik (deities wrath), Adhibhantik
(related with this world). He sought the help of Lord Vishnu who eulogized the greatness of Purushottam Kshetra and advised him to go there. Lord Vishnu said– ‘Purushottam Kshetra is situated at the sea-shore, to the south of river Mahanadi. This sacroscant place of mine does not get affected by deluge. I dwell at this holiest place as ‘Lord Purushottam’. There is a holy pond called Rohin in the vicinity. Anybody who takes a holy dip in that pond gets absolved of all his sins. O Brahma! You must pay a visit to Purushottam kshetra where spending a day bestows virtues greater than all the austerities combined together. This way,Lord Brahma went to Purushottam kshetra as per the instructions of Lord Vishnu. (Skandha Puran)