Sree Jagannath Temple is a renowned temple in Kannur established by the Sree Narayana Guru in order to put an end to the social evil of caste system. It is located on the coast of Malabar nearly 1 kilometer away from the Thalassery Town. The rituals of this temple are conducted by non-Brahmins. The temple was opened for Harijans even in the 1920’s. Most of the temples in the country denied entry to Scheduled castes and tribes at that time. Lord Shiva is the main deity of this temple. Since this temple was open to all castes, Sree Narayana Guru gave the name Ezhava Shiva to the idol of Lord Shiva. Know more about this temple and plan a trip to the Sree Jagannath Temple through Kochi Taxi.
A Gift To The Disgraceful Society
During the mediaeval period, many lower castes including Ezhava were denied entry to the temples for worshipping gods. People belong to the lower classes often worshipped Gods within Kavu or Kazhakam. Sree Narayana Guru realized it and he laid foundation of Jaganath Temple in order to avoid denying entry to temples to such people. He gave the name Ezhava Shiva to the main idol of the temple for shutting the mouth of the upper caste. Guru allowed people of all castes to enter temple including the upper caste. Jhanodhaya Yogam is managing and administering the temple.
Entry Allowed To People Of All Castes
Consecrated by Sree Narayan Guru in the year 1908, the renowned Sree Jagannath Temple is built in order to abolish the social evil of caste system. The peculiarity of this shrine is that its rituals are performed by non-Brahmins. This temple is located nearly 1 kilometer away from Thalassery City near the Jagannath Temple Gate Railway Station. There is a small trail on the side of the railway track to reach this shrine. This famous temple was opened to Harijans in 1920’s and at that time, most of the temples in India denied entry to the people belonging to Scheduled castes and tribes.
Lord Shiva is the main deity of the Sree Jagannath Temple in Thalassery. Sree Narayana Guru has given the name Ezhava Shiva to the idol of this temple for emphasizing the fact that this temple was open to all castes. This temple is a reminiscent of Jagannath Temple, Puri and its idol was built in Panchaloha by the famous sculptor, Thavarali. The Sanskrit world, Panchaloha means ‘five metals’ and most of the idols in the temples of Kerala are built using a specialized alloy made by mixing five different metals. Visitors can also see a statue of Sree Narayana Guru built in Italy as an appreciation of his contributions for the development of backward classes in Kerala. This statue installed in the temple complex in the year 1927. The statue arrived from Italy through Colombo and Guru could get glimpses of it before it reached Thalassery. Visitors love to feed the cows in the temple compound.
Simple But Beautiful Architecture
The Jagannath Temple at Thalasserry has simple but fascinating Kerala-style architecture. It has sloping roof with red clay tiles and white-washed walls. The wood carvings on the ceilings of this shrine are truly eye-catching. There are no windows for the main sanctum (sreekovil). No other person enters this area other than the priests. A well is there near the temple and the water from it used only for pooja and rituals. You can also see a pond on the temple premises. One can enter the water of this pond safely by using the steps that cut on all sides of it. There is an elegant fountain in the middle of this pond with four elephant heads.
Major Festivals Of Jagannath Temple
The annual festival of Jagannath Temple is in the month of Kumbham. It starts on the day of Punartham and lasts for eight days. A lot of people from far and wide gather at this temple during this time in order to watch different cultural programs and fireworks. The Rath Yatra festival of this temple is also very famous which is celebrated in the month of May-June. In fact, it is celebrated during the month of Jyestha on the full moon day.
The idols of the temple such as Sudarshana, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Jagannath are brought out during this day and place in their special chariots that are kept near the Singhadwar. Customary ceremonies need to follow to take the idols to chariots during this occasion. The idols are returned to the temple in a procession and placed in a special place called Anasarapindi and exposed for 15 days for the view of public. The sevakas (helpers) of a particular group named ‘Daitapatis’ perform some unique customs and rituals to these idols. The Gods of this temple give ‘Darshan’ (‘Navajouvan Darshan’) to devotes before the day of Rath Yatra. This event is also known as Gundicha Yatra and the Ghosha Yatra.