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an avatar of Vishnu

an avatar of Vishnu

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.

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.

A temple at Puri, in honour of Vishnu, with a celebrated idol of the god, who, mounted on his chariot at certain seasons, changes his residence, when thousands contend for the honour of dragging the vehicle, and many used to sacrifice themselves as victims under the ponderous wheels.

n. The chief idol among the Ilindoos, whose temple is situated in Orissa, and has a kind of pyramidal carriage 200 feet high – formerly pilgrims were accustomed to sacrifice themselves by falling between its wheels when in motion.