Alarnath Dev temple and strange ritual, Odisha

Alarnath Dev temple,Brahmagiri. www.iskconbangalore.org

It has been a tradition to keep Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Lord Subhadra of Puri,Odisha away from public view, after Snana Purnima in the month of Jeyshta normally for a period of fifteen days - during Krishnapaksha of Ashada. During this two week period in the Shreemandira the daily puja protocol and other rituals are not done. This period is popularly known as 'Anasara' or 'Anabasara' (literally meaning 'improper time for worship). So, literally ritualistic worship is suspended at Puri Jagannath temple. According to Skanda Purana Raja Indradyumna in order to install the wooden deities, he had arranged for a bathing ceremony, hence, it was not the right time to have darshan. Instead of having darshan in Jagannath Temple, it is believed in this region, that Lord Jagannath during this time manifests as Alarnath Dev at the Alarnath temple in Brahmagiri, which is about 23 km from Puri.

Alarnath Dev temple.dandavts

An interesting fact that emerges from this strange tradition is that on account of ritualistic bathing using 108 vessels (suna garas) of water, the deities may get fever and the the wooden idols get discolored. The assumption is that the Lord of the universe and others take rest in 'Anasara Ghara'. Further, it is believed that they are being taken care of by the Raja Vaidya (King's Physician) using Dasamulas (medicine).

During this period of rest - fifteen days the Daitas (descendants of Viswavasu, the Savara) have the right to repaint and restore the wooden deities of Jagannath temple. On the sixteenth day,
called 'Netrotsava'(festival for the eyes), the deities sporting new appearance give the 'Navayauvana' darshan to the devotees. The Shilpa Shastras and Agamas elaborate that temple deities are most suitable for worship only after the rite of 'Chakshurunmilana' (opening of the eyes).The place gets sanctified when the eyes on the idols are open. During this period people in thousands visit the temple to have a darshan of Lord Jagannath as Alarnath Dev. They also get a delicious prasad called Kheer bhog at the Alarnath temple. According to temple priests of Puri Alarnath is a form of Lord Jagannath who blesses the people in this region.

According to the Sthalapurana during the 'Anasara' period, the ardent devotee Prabhu Chaitnya Dev had the Darshan of Lord Jagannath as Alarnath. Likewise, he never failed to have darshan of the lord at Jagannath Temple. But after Snana Purnima was over, Sri Prabhu Chaitanya Dev was not able to see Mahaprabhu in the temple and asked the temple priests where was my lord Jagannath. When the priests replied politely that the Lord was suffering from fever and was taking rest, so, darshan was impossible, then Sri Prabhu Chaitanya Devji told them that if he would not get darshan today itself, then he would kill himself by plunging into the ocean. Lord Jagannath himself told Sri Prabhu Chaitanya Dev - O Chaitnya, I am doing a 'leela'- sort of miracle in the form of Brahma in Brahmagiri, now you come to this place to have my Darshan, It is believed that devotees get the same 'phal' here as they desire from a darshan of lord Jagannah in Puri.

idol of Alarnath Dev temple,Brahmagiri.puriwaves.nirmalya.in

Ever since Sri Chaitanya came to see Alarnath in the 16th century, this place has gained popularity. Hence the place is known as the temporary abode of Lord Jagannath. During these days, same amount of Prasad is offered to Alarnath everyday as it happens in Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Puri-Brahmagiri location map. www.mapsofindia.com

Lord Alarnath temple in Brahmagiri, is a famous religious place for all Krishna devotees. This temple gains much importance when Puri temple is closed for Anavasara, during which period Lord Jagannatha takes rest in privacy from the rest of the world after suffering from fever due to the annual bathing festival (Snana Yatra). During this time lakhs of people go to Brahmagiri to worship Lord Jagannath (Alaarnath

It is believed that the darshan of lord Alarnath, during this period - 15 days is important and whoever worships here with devotion and faith will be absolved of all sins. The main offering to the deity here is 'Payas' or 'Kheer' Bhog prepared with milk and rice. This temporary abode of lord Jagannath is believed to be a source of spiritual bliss for the ardent devotees.

It is needless to point out that here Lord Vishnu is in the form of Lord Alarnath and he has four arms, He holds chakra in his upper right hand, Lotus in his lower right hand, Conch (sanghu) in his upper left hand and a club in his lower left hand, Lord Vishnu's mount eagle, known as Garuda, kneels at the feet of the deity with his hands in supplication. Besides, there are deities of Lord Krishna's consorts Rukmini and Satyabhama inside the temple. There is an idol of Lord Chaitnya inside the temple. There is a stone slab in front of the deity bearing the impression of Lord Chaitnya's body. When Lord Chaitanya prostrated in front of Lord Alarnath, the stone below Lord Chaitnya melted from His blissful touch. There is a lake behind the temple where Chandan Yatra is celebrated for 21 days in every year.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alarnatha_Mandir