Bhubaneswar ,26th July 2025: A grand spiritual program was organized near the Gourangeswar Temple, close to Dhauli Hills, where the chanting of the Mahamantra and recitation of the Jagannath Sahasra Naam (1000 Names of Lord Jagannath) was conducted for the welfare of the world and the well-being of the family of Shri Tanmay Kumar Sahu.
This sacred event was coordinated by Sri Bhagwan Das, editor of Jagannath Parivar, in association with the Charitable Table Trust and Jagannath Sanskriti Pracharak Dr. Narayan Mahapatra, Suresh Kumar Mishra, Trilochan Nayak, Ajaya Das, Anupama Mishra, Bharati Bhushan Pattnaik, Sarat Mahapatra, Bansidhar Nayak, Akshaya Sahu, Dillip Mishra, Chaitanya Nayak, Srinibas Rao, and Bijay Panda.
The chanting included:
- The Mahamantra of Kaliyuga,
- Jagannath Sahasra Naam,
- Gita Govinda recitations.
A new spiritual book titled “Sri Jagannath Mantra and Gotra” was also released on this occasion. This book outlines the evolution of divine chants across eras:
- Beginning with the sacred “Om,”
- Then Rama’s Mahamantra from the Treta Yuga,
- Followed by Krishna’s Mahamantra from the Dwapara Yuga,
- Culminating in the Kaliyuga Mahamantra:
- “Jagannath Jagannath Jagannath Pahimam
Jagannath Jagannath Jagannath Rakshamam**”
Other sacred chants included in the publication were:
- Sri Jagannath Sahasra Naam,
- Mahalakshmi Ashtakam,
- Bimala Anchalakam, and
- Verses from Gita Govinda (Srita Kamala).
The initiative aims to promote devotion to Mahaprabhu Sri Jagannath by encouraging the chanting of mantras and offering spiritual service (dhyana and dana). It is believed that such acts please the Lord and bring divine blessings.
The text also reflects on the ancient traditions of Chaturdha Murti (the fourfold form) worship of Jagannath, practiced even 1500 years ago. Later, Bhagwan Chaitanya began efforts to identify Jagannath as a form of Lord Krishna, which led to theological debates within the temple but was gradually accepted. The teachings of Chaitanya and his guru Ramananda Raya during King Pratap Rudra’s reign emphasized the worship of Radha-Krishna, leading to the incorporation of Krishna-tattva (Krishna’s essence) into Jagannath culture.
However, the organizers expressed concern that in recent times, efforts are being made to distort Jagannath culture, including through social media:
- Posting edited or misleading images of Lord Jagannath,
- Misrepresenting rituals like Rath Yatra and Snana Yatra (Bathing Festival),
- Spreading spiritual confusion among devotees.
The trust has announced plans to preserve and promote true Jagannath culture through upcoming programs across Odisha. It also warns against potential spiritual downfall as prophesied in Achyutananda Malika and poet-saint Bhim Bhol Choutisa 41, which talk of:
- A time of divine retribution,
- A purge of falsehood and hypocrisy,
- The rise of divine feminine forces like Chandi and Chamunda,
- And the return to original, undistorted Jagannath traditions.
In this age of Kaliyuga, devotees are encouraged to sincerely pray with the Mahamantra and share the Chaturdha Murti image of Sri Jagannath, thus protecting the sanctity of the faith and restoring spiritual harmony.