A particular form of Vishnu, or of Krishna, whose chief idol and worship are at Puri, in Orissa. The idol is considered to contain the bones of Krishna and to possess a soul. The principal festivals are the Snanayatra, when the idol is bathed, and the Rathayatra, when the image is drawn upon a car adorned with obscene paintings. Formerly it was erroneously supposed that devotees allowed themselves to be crushed beneath the wheels of this car. It is now known that any death within the temple of Jagannath is considered to render the place unclean, and any spilling of blood in the presence of the idol is a pollution.

Lord of the world].

an avatar of Vishnu

"Lord of the universe," an ancient Deity of Krishna. He was established along with His brother Balarama and sister Subhadra in the holy city of Puri, on the coast of Orissa. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu resided in Puri and worshiped Lord Jagannatha.

"Lord of the Universe". A deity of Krishna worshiped all over India for thousands of years, especially in the province of Orissa, where there is a great temple of Lord Jagannâtha at Puri. His brother is Balarâma and His sister is Subhadrâ. Each year at Purî, during the gigantic Ratha-yâtrâ festival, millions of pilgrims from all over India come to worship Lord Jagannathâ, Balarâma and Subhadrâ, as the deities ride in procession on three huge carts. Lord Caitanya, who spent the last eighteen years of His life at Jagannathâ Purî, used to dance and chant in ecstasy before the Deity of Lord Jagannathâ during the yearly Ratha-yâtrâ festival.