Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023: What Is The Speciality Of The Garuda Stambha Inside The Puri Temple?

Add as a preferred source on Google

Garuda, as per Hindu Mythology, is considered as the Vahana of Lord Vishnu. Since Jagannatha himself is Lord Krishna and Lord Vishnu, his vahana stambha namely Garuda Stambha is placed in front of Lord Jagannath.

Daily puja rituals are carried out to the Garuda Pillar. Taking a glimpse of the three deities from behind the Gauruda Pillar is considered auspicious.

Devotees, as per the rituals, first hug the Garuda Stambha, worship it, get a glimpse of the Holy Trinity from behind it and then go to the Grabha Griha (sanctum sanctorum) for a darshan of the three Deities.

Legend

There is an interesting legend behind the Garuda Pillar. Once Chaitanya Mahaprabhu entered the temple for a darshan but his overwhelming emotions got the better of him and he fell unconscious.

People around him, without knowing who he was, threw him out. Angry that he was meted such treatment due to no fault of his, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu felt remorse and decided to take Jagannaths darshan from behind the Garuda Pillar. The pit in the pillar is supposed to have been filled by Chaitanyas tears. So this became a custom.

Behind the Garuda Pillar, you can spot the Bhoga Mandapa of Jagannath temple where the prasad is offered. The stone wall of Bhoga Mandapa melted and softened due to the impact of Chaitanyas devotion towards Jagannath and henc his fingerprints are imprinted on the wall.

Even today the imprints are visible and devotees put their fingers on these stone imprints and then get a glimpse of Gods. The closer the devotee is to the Garuda Pillar, the closer he gets to the deity and the power of his prayers will be intensified.

If you touch and hug the Garuda Pillar, you are assured of cure from incurable diseases and good fortune will welcome you. During the Garuda paduka snana that is conducted daily, devotees sit under the pillar as this cleansed them of all the sins.

The Garuda pillar may look like a stone made construction but actually it is a remnant of a plant of some geological era.. The shaft has the traces of a Sal tree with a bark.

The colum of this pillar is made of saligram stone which is the largest and most unique in the history of fossils.

The Garuda Pillar is made of Salagrama stone. Its column stands at the height of 7 feet. The Garuda Pillar has a pedestal and a capital. Height of the pedestal is 2 feet, and it is made of granite.

On top of the capital, Garuda is seen seated with folded hands. Total height of Garuda Pillar coupled with the pedestal and the capital is about 11 feet.

This Garuda Pillar is placed at the level of the Ratna Simhasana of God so that he can directly gaze at the feet of Jagannath.

Garuda, who is the king of birds, is the Vahana (carrier) of Lord Jagannath and stays on the top of the Garuda Pillar. So to respect their King (Garuda), birds do not fly over the Jagannath Temple.