- What does the name Jagannatha mean?
A) Lord of the Universe
B) King of Kings
C) Supreme God
D) Protector of Dharma - Where is the famous Jagannatha temple located?
A) Varanasi
B) Puri, Odisha
C) Mathura
D) Ayodhya - Which dynasty played a major role in the construction of the Jagannatha temple at Puri?
A) Chola dynasty
B) Ganga dynasty
C) Gupta dynasty
D) Mughal dynasty - Who among the following rulers dedicated his entire kingdom to Lord Jagannatha and proclaimed himself as the deputy of the god?
A) Anangabhima III
B) Rajendra Chola
C) Ashoka
D) Harsha - What is the primary deity worshipped in the Jagannatha temple?
A) Krishna
B) Jagannatha (a form of Vishnu)
C) Rama
D) Shiva - What is the name of the famous annual festival associated with the Jagannatha temple?
A) Navratri
B) Rath Yatra
C) Holi Festival
D) Chhath Puja - Which of the following groups played an important role in the construction and rituals of the Jagannatha temple?
A) Local tribal communities
B) Mughal emperors
C) Buddhist monks
D) Christian missionaries - Why did rulers like the Mughals, Marathas, and the British try to control the Jagannatha temple?
A) To gain political legitimacy and acceptance among the local people
B) To convert the temple into a fort
C) To promote trade with the local communities
D) To introduce new religious practices - Which of the following deities is worshipped along with Jagannatha in the temple?
A) Parvati and Ganesha
B) Balabhadra and Subhadra
C) Rama and Lakshmana
D) Vishnu and Lakshmi - Which of the following is a unique feature of the Jagannatha temple in Puri?
A) The temple is made entirely of marble
B) The temple follows strict Brahmanical traditions without any local influences
C) The deities are made of wood and are replaced periodically
D) The temple has never been visited by any foreign traveler
Answers and Explanations
- A) Lord of the Universe
The word Jagannatha literally translates to Lord of the Universe, referring to Lord Vishnu. - B) Puri, Odisha
The famous Jagannatha temple is located in Puri, Odisha, and is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in India. - B) Ganga dynasty
The Jagannatha temple at Puri was built by the rulers of the Ganga dynasty, particularly Anantavarman. - A) Anangabhima III
In 1230 CE, King Anangabhima III dedicated his kingdom to Lord Jagannatha and declared himself as the deputy of the god. - B) Jagannatha (a form of Vishnu)
Lord Jagannatha is a form of Vishnu and is the central deity of the Puri temple. - B) Rath Yatra
The Rath Yatra is an annual chariot festival where the deities are taken in massive wooden chariots through the streets of Puri. - A) Local tribal communities
The wooden idols of Jagannatha are made by local tribal craftsmen, suggesting a strong connection with indigenous traditions. - A) To gain political legitimacy and acceptance among the local people
Rulers throughout history, including the Mughals, Marathas, and the British, sought control over the temple to gain legitimacy among the local population. - B) Balabhadra and Subhadra
Jagannatha is worshipped along with his siblings, Balabhadra and Subhadra, in the temple at Puri.
C) The deities are made of wood and are replaced periodically
One of the unique features of the Jagannatha temple is that the wooden idols of the deities are replaced periodically in a ritual called Navakalebara.