Description
Out of the several Jagannath temples in Orissa, Koraput Sabara Srikhetra Jagannath Temple is an ancient Jagnanath temple in a place called Koraput in Odisha. You can reach the temple by buses running from Vishakapattanam or by trains from important cities like Bhubaneshwar and Vishakapattanam. It is a centre for worship as well as a centre for Jagannath consciousness. The hill top on which the temple stands is Sabara Srikhsetra. A famous tribal festival known as 'Parab', organized by UNICEF takes place over here as the temple has some tribal origin. The temple is open for all.
History
The temple has got its name as 'Sabara Srikhetra' because it had been built by a tribal group called the Sabaras who dwelt in Koraput, Orissa. It was built probably around the 12th century in typical ancient Indian architectural style
Importance/Significance
Koraput Sabara Srikhetra Jagannath Temple was built in order to increase the Jagannath Consciousness all over the place. The temple signifies oneness of mankind. It does not distinguish between humans on the basis of caste, creed or religion. It is open to every human being. Its main purpose is to spread Jagannath consciousness all over. It preaches tolerance, love towards other religions and it is practiced too. The Lord Jagannath here is a symbol of unity and humanitarianism rather than Sectarianism. The temple has tribal connections and the beliefs owe to those connections. It provides accommodation facilities for pilgrims and the temple trust also runs a Council of Analytical Tribal Studies to make an attempt at restoring and educating through the tribal culture, history and societal systems and their way of life.
Facts/Mythology
An interesting fact of this is that by the preaching of Jagannath consciousness, the temple provides wide nourishment to humans at all levels. Rich, poor, learned men or ignorant men, foreigner or Indian, haves, have nots, everybody is treated with equal love and care.The temple stands as a testament against untouchability and discrimination against people in the name of their caste, origin or way of life. It pronounces that God is the savior of the entire human race and everyone has the equal right to bow down to him.
Festivals/Events/Gatherings
The most famous occasion for Jagannath temples is Ratha Yatra. In fact it is one of the main festivals of Orissa. In this Koraput Sabara Srikhetra Jagannath Temple too Ratha Yatra is celebrated annually in a grand way and thousands of devotees and tourist come to be a part of the sacred celebration ceremony. A Tribal Chief performs Chhera Panhanra or the act of sweeping of the chariot, an auspicious task which in Puri's Jagannath temple is done by Gajapati Maharaja. Usually heads are honored here every year with chariots with scarfs. One can see different kinds of dance forms being celebrated and various tribal art forms too are displayed to the people. It draws a huge number of tourists. Tribal handicrafts are also sold in nearby markets and stalls.