Jagannath vs Buddha

There's a mini-storm brewing in the holy city of Puri. At the center of the controversy is an idol to be installed at the Jagannath Temple – the richest temple in eastern India. Priests, researchers and Buddhists scholars have locked horns over the decision to put up a sculpture of Lord Jagannath among the ten avatars (Dasavatar) of Lord Vishnu at the entrance of the 12th century shrine.

It all began when the Simhadwar (Lions Gate) of the temple was de-plastered for repairs, and the Dasavatar (ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu) idols – an acknowledged feature on the entrance of most Hindu temples - were found damaged. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) – charged with conservation of the temple – quickly engaged artisans to construct similar idols for replacement. But things went pear-shaped soon after. The fix is over the ninth avatar idol. The damaged panel features Lord Jagannath as the ninth avatar, while it is usually an idol of Lord Buddha which presides as the ninth idol in Dasavatar panels decorating Hindu temples.

Scholars of the Jagannath cult are vehemently opposing the installation of the panel depicting Jagannath as the ninth incarnation of lord Vishnu instead of Buddha. They contend that the said panel was damaged more than hundred years ago and repairs at that time had led to the error. “Dasavatar idols found within the premises of the Jagannath temple are at least 900 years old, while the idol panel found on lion gate had been added much later,” opines Asit Mohanty, a researcher on Jagannath cult. “If any one carved Jagannath in place of Buddha out of ignorance, then that should not be taken as right,” adds Dr. Surendra Mishra, a Sanskrit scholar at Sri Jagannath Sanskrit University.

But naysayers are also grouping up. Surya Narayan Rathsharma, a scholar of Jagannath culture, does not accept Buddha as the incarnation of Vishnu. He argues, “You know, historical research reveals that 46 Buddhas lived in different periods of time. So which Buddha should be portrayed as the incarnation? There is nothing wrong with the Dasavatar panel. So, why change it?”

More stakeholders are jumping into the fray every day. Mahabodhi Society (Odisha Chapter) has raised its voice against the proposed panel with Jagannath as ninth incarnation. In a letter to ASI, the Society notes: “ASI should not distort history and not change the place of ninth avatar, which is indisputably that of Gautam Buddha.” Jaydev Foundation, an organisation working for safeguarding Odia pride, has also written to ASI. Prafulla Tripathy, the Foundation's secretary says that they are prepared to “knock the door of the judiciary if pleas to ASI fall on deaf ears.”

Meanwhile, the Jagannath Temple Administration prefers status quo. Chief Administrator Dr Aravind Padhee told TSI that the temple cannot take any decisions independent of ASI. “We have not received any proposal from any individual or organisation till now. The temple administration can’t do anything on its own,” he explains.

Blissfully unaware of the controversies raging in the holy city about their work, sculptors are busy giving finishing touch to the new Dasavatar idols. But will these ever see the light of day? For now, politicians in the state capital are busy bemoaning or celebrating (depending on their leaning) the aftermath of a failed rebellion attempt by BJD MP Pyari Mohan Mohapatra against the Naveen Patnaik government. But once the novelty of the Naveen-Pyari war wears off, a few keen political eyes will turn towards the controversy raging in Puri. And then, all bets will be off.