Gundicha Temple, Puri – Legends

Gundicha Temple, Puri – Legends

Gundicha, Queen of Indradyumna:

A legend links the temple to Gundicha, the queen of Indradyumna (the legendary builder of first Jagannatha Temple) after whom the Gundicha Temple is named. Indradyumna was a Malava king, who according to the Mahabharata was the son of Bharat and Sunanda. Legend has it that as the celestial architect Vishwakarma was building the Jagannath temple, the queen Gundicha came upon the magnificent site and was so awed by it that she requested her husband Indradyumna to build another similar temple in honour of the deity. She also desired for her husband to undertake the Ratha yatra, causing him to set a precedent for the custom of a husband going on a Ratha yatra on his wife’s wishes.

Lord Jagannath visit to Gundicha house:

Another variant suggests that Jagannath was pleased with deep devotion of the queen Gundicha and Lord Jagannath promised to pay a visit to her house for nine days during Car Festival.

Lord Jagannath reunion with Lakshmi:

As per another legend, when Jagannath (identified with the god Krishna) goes to stay for seven days in the Gundicha Temple, he intentionally leaves behind his consort Lakshmi locked up in a store room in the main Jagannath temple. While in the Gundicha temple, he is exclusively taken care by his Gopis (cow-herding girls) led by his Gopi-lover Radha like Krishna in Vrindavan. The Gopis are symbolized by the temple devadasis on this occasion. When Jagannatha returns to his main temple after his amorous dalliance, Lakshmi meets him at the main temple gate and sprinkles some magical powder on him, which makes him forget about his escapade in the Gundicha Temple, and she is immediately reunited with her husband in blissful love.

Gundicha, local Goddess:

One more legend relates the temple's name Gundicha to a local goddess Gundicha, similar to Durga, worshipped to cure smallpox. Gundi in Oriya means smallpox, which may be derived from the Bengali Guti, which is associated with the smallpox-goddess of neighbouring Bengal - Gutika Thakurani.

Gundicha, Jagannath’s Aunt:

Gundicha is considered Krishna-Jagannath's aunt, which he visits with his siblings annually. It is believed that their aunt gives a welcome to the three siblings with a special delicacy made of rice called ‘padoapitha’. This rice cake is also known as ‘Podapitha’ or ‘Porapitha’.

Disappearance of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu:

Another legend is about the mysterious disappearance of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (an incarnation of Krishna according to the Bhavishya Purana). He established Gaudiya Vaishnavism and also known to have composed the Jagannath Astakam. He lived in Puri for many years and sang bhajans (devotional songs) and led Sankirthana processions in front of Jagannath during his Chandan Yatra and Ratha Yatra, along with many devotees. It is also said that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu used to go into a rapturous mood watching the god's love play and dance with joy and also fainted many times due to emotion. Daily, he prayed to Jagannath, standing behind the Garuda Stambha (Pillar of Garuda) with tears flowing down his eyes.

With permission of the king, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu once undertook the task of cleaning the Gundicha temple premises a day before the Ratha yatra (this tradition is followed even to this day by the followers of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism). It is mentioned that once Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, unnoticed by his attendants, walked towards the Gundicha Temple and was last seen entering the Manikotha, thereafter he was never seen again. This disappearance has remained an unexplained mystery as none of the books written on him have recorded this event. It is believed that he merged with Jagannath at the temple.

Darshan of Lord Jagannatha at Gundicha Temple:

It is said in scripture that darshan of the Lord Jagannatha at Gundicha temple is equal to ten darshan at Nilachala Temple (main temple).

Equivalent to Vrindavan & Dwaraka:

The Place where Gundicha temple is situated is known as Sundarachala. Sundarachala is compared to Vrindavan, and Nilachala, where Jagannatha resides, is compared to Dwaraka. During Ratha Yatra, Lord Jagannatha comes to Vrindavan, as the devotees are in the mood of residents of Vrindavan, begging the Lord to return with them.