A silly ancient aliens-type clip on YouTube made me revisit the problematique surrounding the Jagannath temple in Puri, Odisha, India. This time, the AI speaking is Gemini!
Are there rumors that aliens or gods visit the Jagannath temple at Puri at night?
While there are many legends and mysteries associated with the Jagannath Temple at Puri, there are no widespread rumors of aliens visiting the temple.
However, there are numerous legends about gods and divine beings being involved with the temple and its deities, both in the past and in the present. The most famous and commonly cited legends include:
Divine Intervention in the Temple's Creation: According to a popular legend, the deities of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra were carved from a sacred log of wood that appeared in the sea. The gods themselves, in the form of a divine carpenter (Vishwakarma or Vishnu himself), appeared to carve the idols. The idols were left unfinished because the queen, in her impatience, opened the door to the workshop before the work was complete.
A Living Deity: The deities are considered "living" and are treated as such. They are fed 56 different types of food (the "Chappan Bhog"), dressed daily, and even fall "ill" and go into a period of seclusion (called Anasara) after a ceremonial bathing ritual.
The "Brahma Padartha" Transfer: Every 8, 12, or 19 years, a grand ceremony called Nabakalebara takes place where the old wooden idols are replaced with new ones. During this process, a secret, sacred substance known as the Brahma Padartha is transferred from the old idols to the new ones by a select group of priests. This ritual is shrouded in mystery and secrecy, and it is believed to be the "life-force" of the deities.
Defying Natural Laws: There are several unexplainable phenomena associated with the temple, which many devotees attribute to divine powers. These include the temple flag always flapping in the opposite direction of the wind and the fact that no birds or planes are seen flying directly over the main temple spire.
So, while tales of extraterrestrial visitors are absent, the temple is rich with legends of divine and supernatural occurrences that are a central part of its spiritual identity.
Are there "ghost stories" about the temple, according to which people who spent the night there saw or experienced strange things?
While there are not many "ghost stories" in the traditional sense of a haunted house, the Jagannath Temple at Puri is surrounded by numerous legends and mysteries, many of which are said to manifest at night or are related to the unseen world. These are often viewed as divine or supernatural phenomena rather than being caused by malevolent ghosts.
Here are some of the most prominent stories and beliefs about strange occurrences, especially at night:
The Nightly Drumming: According to local tradition and accounts from some devotees, a mysterious drumming sound can be heard within the temple premises after the doors are closed for the night. No one sees who is playing the drums. It is believed that celestial beings, such as Gandharvas or Devas, come to the temple at night to perform music for Lord Jagannath as he rests. This is seen as a sign of divine presence, not a haunting.
The Parade of the Restless Dead: A legend, particularly in the Puri area, describes a procession of misty, white shapes—the souls of the dead—that can be seen on dark, moonless nights. They are said to be walking towards the sea, led by Lord Jagannath himself, who ferries them to salvation. This is considered a compassionate act of the deity, not a frightening ghostly event.
The Unseen Presence: The temple is considered a place where the barrier between the mortal and spiritual worlds is thin. Stories are told of unseen forces or divine beings that come to the temple. Some devotees believe that animals like dogs, which are not allowed in the temple, are actually spirits that have entered the premises, and their presence can be an indicator of an impure ritual.
The Nabakalebara Ritual: One of the most secret and mysterious rituals, the Nabakalebara (the changing of the deities' idols), takes place at midnight in a period of complete darkness. There are legends that anyone who attempts to view this ritual, which involves the transfer of the Brahma Padartha (the life substance), will not live to tell about it. The secrecy and sacredness of this nighttime event add to the temple's mystical aura.
In summary, the stories about the Jagannath Temple at night are less about typical ghosts and more about a deeply spiritual and mysterious environment where the divine and the unseen worlds are believed to be in constant interaction.
