Lord Jagannath : Bridging Tribal and Aryan Traditions

In the heart of Odisha lies the temple town of Puri, home to one of Hinduism’s most revered deities, Lord Jagannath. The legend of Lord Jagannath is steeped in a rich tapestry of myths, rituals, and traditions that seamlessly blend tribal and Aryan cultures, creating a unique religious tapestry that continues to captivate devotees and scholars alike.

The Legend of Indradyumna and the Divine Carpenter

The origin story of Lord Jagannath’s wooden idols is as intriguing as it is mystical. According to legend, King Indradyumna was directed by the Lord in a dream to fashion beautiful images from the sacred “Daru” (wood). Despite searching far and wide, no carpenter was found willing to undertake this divine task. It was then that Visvakarma, the Divine Builder, appeared disguised as an old carpenter. He agreed to create the images on the condition that he be left undisturbed inside the temple for twenty-one days.

As the days passed, the sounds of the carpenter’s tools grew fainter until they ceased altogether. Queen Gundicha, driven by curiosity and impatience, insisted on opening the temple doors before the agreed time. To their amazement, no carpenter was found inside, and the images of Jagannatha, Balabhadra, and Subhadra stood incomplete. This legend, with slight variations, also finds mention in the Brahma Purana and the Oriya Mahabharata by Sarala Das, highlighting its deep-rooted significance in regional lore.

The Tribal Connection: Sabaras and the Worship of Daru

Historical and epigraphic evidence suggests a profound connection between the Sabaras, an ancient tribal community, and the worship of Lord Jagannath. The Sabaras, part of the Proto-Austroloid tribe, originally worshipped a branchless trunk known as Sthanumurti. Over time, this worship evolved and merged with the veneration of Purusottama Vishnu. References to the Lord of Daru can even be found in the Rig Veda, with Vedic commentator Sayana identifying this Daru with Purusottama-Vishnu.

The Sabaras worshipped a deity named Kitung, known by several names including Jaganta or Jaganaelo. This wooden deity, worshipped with fervor by the Sabaras, is believed to have been integrated into the Aryan pantheon as Lord Jagannath, thanks to the gradual Aryanization of the region.

The Navakalevara Ritual: Echoes of Tribal Traditions

The Navakalevara ritual, a significant event in the Jagannath Temple, involves the renewal of the deities’ images and is strikingly similar to the tribal rituals associated with the worship of Stambhesvari. During Navakalevara, the sacred Daru is sought by a party led by the Daitas, who are descendants of the Sabaras. This ritual mirrors the tribal practice where the Goddess Stambhesvari reveals the location of the sacred tree in a dream to the Bhejini, a medium.

Both traditions insist that the selected tree must display specific features and fall towards the east without touching the ground. The transport of the logs, performed on special carts pulled by human hands, is another shared practice. The carvings of the deities in Puri, done by carpenters who lead a pure life during the period, echo the tribal custom where the carpenter abstains from impure practices.

Cultural Synthesis: Aryan and Tribal Practices

The images of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, with their distinctively crude and tribal appearance, stand as a testament to the synthesis of Aryan and tribal traditions. The Daitas, descendants of the Sabara Chief Visvavasu, play a crucial role in the daily worship and special rituals of the deities. During the Anavasara (sickness of the deities), it is the Daitas, not the Brahmins, who perform the worship, following tribal customs rather than Vedic rituals.

The Car Festival (Ratha Yatra) further illustrates this blending of traditions. The deities, dressed in Sabara attire, are moved towards the chariots in a north-west direction, contrary to the traditional Aryan eastward procession. This practice, as noted by Dr. K.C. Mishra, underscores the significant influence of Sabara traditions on the festival.

The Familial Bond: Daitas and Lord Jagannath

The Daitas’ relationship with Lord Jagannath goes beyond mere worship; they consider him a member of their family. During the Navakalevara ceremony, they observe mourning rituals and perform obsequies akin to those prescribed in Hindu Dharmasastra for a deceased family member. This deep familial bond highlights the enduring connection between the Sabaras and Lord Jagannath.