The Jagannath Temple

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Why in News?

President of India Participates in Annual Rath Yatra Festival in Puri

The Jagannath Temple

• Significance: One of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites in India.
• Other Dham: Badrinath, Dwarka, and Rameswaram.
• Deities: Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.
• Unique Aspect:

• The icon of Jagannath is made of wood and ceremoniously replaced every twelve or nineteen years by a replica.
• The process of replacing the idols, known as Nabakalebara (re-embodiment), involves an elaborate ceremony where the deities relinquish their old bodies and assume new ones.
• This is in contrast to the stone and metal symbols found in the majority of Hindu temples.

 

Rath Yatra

• Description: The annual chariot festival, known as Rath Yatra, is a significant event in Puri.
• Occurrence: The festival takes place during the month of Asadha (June or July).
• Procession:

• The deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are brought out from the sanctum of the temple.
• They travel approximately 3 km to the Shri Gundicha Temple in huge, ornately decorated chariots.

• Public Participation: This procession allows the public to have a direct view of the deities.

 

History of Jagannath Temple

• Reconstruction: The temple was rebuilt by the Ganga dynasty king Anantavarman Chodaganga in the 12th century CE, as indicated by the Kendupatna copper-plate inscription of his descendant Narasimhadeva II.

 

• Further Development:
  • The temple complex was further developed during the reigns of subsequent kings, including those of the Ganga dynasty and the Gajapati dynasty.

 

• Significant Events:
  • 1174 CE: King Anang Bhim Deo ascended the throne of Orissa and invested greatly in construction projects, including the ancillary shrines and the walls of Jagannath temple, which took fourteen years to complete in 1198 CE.
  • 1568: The temple was invaded and the deities were destroyed by General Kalapahad, who led the victorious army of the Nawab of Bengal, Sultan Suleiman Karani.
  • 1575: The deities were restored by Ramachandra Deva I of the Kingdom of Khurda. As an expression of gratitude, devotees bestowed upon him the name ‘Abhinav Indrayumna’ (Indrayumna incarnate).
  • Within two decades, Ramachandra Deva I’s authority over Puri and the temple was recognized by the Mughal Empire. Raja Mansingh bestowed upon him the title of ‘Gajapati Ruler of Khurda and Superintendent of the Jagannath Temple’.
  • 1692: Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb ordered the temple's closure. It was reopened only after Aurangzeb’s death in 1707.
  • 1751 & 1803: The Maratha and the British assumed control of the temple complex, respectively. However, locally, the Rajas of Khurda retained the trust of the devotees in managing the temple and its rituals.
  • 1809: The British East India Company officially returned the charge of the temple to the Rajas, who retained control until British power was uprooted from the Indian subcontinent.
  • 1975: The Archaeological Survey of India undertook a project to remove the multiple layers of lime plaster to uncover the original designs beneath. The conservation project lasted for two decades.

 

Architecture of the Temple

 

• Style: The temple is a magnificent example of Kalinga-style architecture, known for its gorgeous sculptures and excellent carvings.
• Height: The temple stands at approximately 214 feet above ground level, making it one of the highest buildings in the Indian subcontinent.
• Location: It is perched atop a roughly ten-acre elevated stone platform in the center of Puri.

 

• Compound Walls:
  • The temple is surrounded by two compound walls:
    • Meghanada Pracira: The outer wall.
    • Kurma Pracira: The inner wall.

 

• Components:
  • Vimana or Deula (Garbagriha): The main sanctuary built in the Nagara style, characterized by a curvilinear tower known as Shikhar.
  • Jagamohana: The assembly hall, built in the Pidha deula style.
  • Natamandapa: The audience hall.
  • Bhogamandapa: The hall for residuary offerings.

 

• Architectural Elements:
  • The Vimana is built on the Pancha Ratha ground plan, where its vertical shape is divided into five projected columns or pillar-like structures (Ratha) on each side.
  • The Vimana and Jagamohana are divided into five principal parts along the vertical plane:
    • Pishta or Pitha: The base.
    • Bada: The vertical or perpendicular wall.
    • Gandi: The trunk of the body, represented by a curvilinear tower (Rekha deula) or a pyramidal roof (Pidha deula).
    • Mastaka: The crowning element, featuring the Neelachakra, an eight-spoked wheel made of Ashtadhatu, sacred to Lord Vishnu.
  • The unique architectural quality of the Pancha Ratha Rekha deula of Shree Jagannatha lies in its intricate design and structural division.

 

Significance and Cultural Importance

• Char Dham Pilgrimage: The Jagannath Temple is one of the four most sacred pilgrimage sites in Hinduism, collectively known as Char Dham.
• Tourist Attraction: The temple is a major draw for visitors to Puri, attracting millions of devotees and tourists each year.
• Cultural Heritage: The temple's rich history, architectural grandeur, and religious significance make it a vital part of India’s cultural heritage.

 

Additional Information

• Archaeological Survey of India: The temple is currently maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, which oversees its conservation.
• Public Access: Only traditional Hindus are allowed inside the temple. Non-Hindus can view parts of the enclosure from the top of the Emar Matha building near the temple’s east-facing gate.

 

• Trivia:
  • The English word “juggernaut” originated from Jagannath, referring to a huge, unstoppable force or vehicle, inspired by the colossal chariots used during the Rath Yatra.

 

 

 

 

Private Papers of Eminent Personalities

Why in News?

The Prime Ministers’ Museum & Library (PMML) has decided to impose limits on the declassification conditions for future donors of Private Papers of eminent personalities. This decision aims to balance access to historical documents with respect for privacy.

 

Prime Ministers’ Museum & Library (PMML)

• Original Name: Nehru Memorial Museum & Library (NMML)
• Purpose: Established in memory of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru
• Ministry: Operates under the Ministry of Culture

 

Recent Decision

• Embargo on Papers: New private papers will be subjected to a five-year embargo from the date of receipt, extendable up to ten years in rare cases.
• Access to Papers: Several sets of private papers that have been in custody for decades will be made accessible, including those of:
  • G D Mavalankar (first Speaker of Lok Sabha)
  • Nayantara Sahgal (Nehru’s niece)

 

Collection of Private Papers

• First Private Papers: The Jawaharlal Nehru Papers were the first to be obtained, facilitated by the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund (JNMF) on behalf of Indira Gandhi.

 

• Other Collections: Papers of notable figures like Mahatma Gandhi, B R Ambedkar, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Bhikaji Cama, Chaudhary Charan Singh, and more.

 

• Recent Acquisitions: Papers of:
  • Former Himachal Pradesh CM Shanta Kumar, which include letters on topics like One Nation, One Election, and the abrogation of Article 370.
  • Environmentalist Sundarlal Bahuguna, donated by his wife, Vimla Bahuguna.

 

Private Papers vs. Personal Papers

• Private Papers: Includes private correspondences with other personalities, different from personal papers.
• Personal Papers: Correspondence and documents held in a personal capacity are excluded.
• Official Records: Held by various government departments and ministries.

 

National Archives of India

• Role: Acquires papers that donors agree to declassify.
• Collection: Includes papers of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dadabhai Naoroji, Purushottam Das Tandon, Maulana Azad, Minoo Masani, Sardar Patel, Keshav Dev Malviya, and others.

 

Declassification

1. Public Records Rules, 1997: Covers the declassification of all kinds of records and correspondence in India.
   1. Responsibility: Respective organizations are responsible for declassifying official records.
   2. Time Frame: Records should ordinarily be declassified every 25 years.
   3. Definition of Public Records: Includes records related to the central government and any ministry, department, or office, including the PMO and the President’s Office.
2. Private Papers: The 1997 Rules do not grant sweeping powers for papers owned by private individuals and families; access to these is voluntary.

 

Declassification in the US

• Library of Congress Manuscript Division: Holds Personal Papers and significant organizational records in American history.
• National Archives and Records Administration (NARA): Official depository for US government records, similar to the National Archives of India.

 

Summary

The Prime Ministers’ Museum & Library (PMML) has implemented a new policy limiting the declassification conditions for private papers to ensure a balance between historical access and privacy. This includes a five-year embargo on new papers and the release of long-held documents. The distinction between private and personal papers is clarified, with a focus on the accessibility and preservation of historical documents.

 

 

Emergency in India

Why in News?

On June 25, 2024, India commemorated fifty years since the National Emergency (1975-1977), a time marked by the suspension of civil liberties, press restrictions, mass arrests, and postponed elections.

 

Aftermath of the National Emergency (1975)

Political Changes

• 1977 Elections:
  • Four major opposition parties united to form the Janata Party.
  • This coalition led to the establishment of India’s first non-Congress government.

 

44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978

• Reversal of 42nd Amendment Act (1976):

• Limited the President’s authority to declare a National Emergency under Article 352.
• Required written advice from the Cabinet and parliamentary approval within a month.
• Restricted the emergency period to six months unless renewed by a special majority in Parliament.
• Restored the ability of the judiciary to review emergency proclamations.
• Restricted the grounds for an emergency to armed rebellion, war, and external aggression.
• Limited the duration of President’s Rule (Article 356) in states to one year, extendable by six months with parliamentary approval.

 

The Shah Commission Report

• Formation: Created by the Janata government to investigate the imposition and effects of the emergency.
• Findings: The report was highly critical, stating that the decision was unilateral and led to a violation of civil liberties during the emergency period.

 

During National Emergency

Powers of Parliament

• Extension of Lok Sabha’s Term: Parliament can extend the Lok Sabha’s term by one year at a time.

 

• Legislation on State Subjects: The central government can legislate on state matters.

 

• Financial Provisions: The President can alter constitutional provisions on financial resource allocation between the center and states with parliamentary approval.

 

President’s Rule

• Provision: Article 356 allows the central government to take direct control of a state when it cannot function according to constitutional provisions.

 

• Functions Assumed by President: The President can take over all or some functions of the state government.

 

Key Provisions of President’s Rule

• Initial Duration: Imposed for six months initially.

 

• Extension: Can be extended for up to three years with parliamentary approval every six months.

 

• Approval Requirement: Both Houses of Parliament must approve the imposition within two months.

 

• Revocation: The President can revoke the proclamation at any time. If the Lok Sabha rejects the continuation, it must be revoked.

 

• State Assembly: Suspended or dissolved during President’s Rule.

 

Judicial Interventions and Commission Recommendations

S.R. Bommai Case (1994)

• Supreme Court Ruling: The imposition of President’s Rule is subject to judicial review.
• Recommendation: A floor test to verify the government majority.

 

88th Amendment (2003)

• New Clause in Article 361: Provided immunity to the Governor for exercising powers under Article 356.

 

Sarkaria Commission (1988)

• Recommendation: Use President’s Rule sparingly and issue a warning before imposing it.

 

Punchhi Commission (2010)

• Recommendation: Time-bound response from the President and non-dissolution of the state assembly before parliamentary approval.

 

Article 365

• Additional Grounds: Provides grounds for invoking Article 356 if a state government fails to comply with or implement directions from the central government under constitutional provisions.