JAGANNATHA PRABHU WITHSTOOD EIGHTEEN INVASIONS WITH THREE BY HINDU KINGS

The shrine, one of four Dhams founded by Adi Shamkaracharya in 810 CE, is dedicated to Shri Jagannatha Prabhu, incarnate of Bhagavan Vishnu, one of three in the Trinity of supreme divinity and raised by King Indradyumna, nephew of Bhagavan Shri Rama of Avanti in Satya Yuga. Structure at present was completed by the King Anang Bhimdeva in 1174 as Bhagavan Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are deities to whom the shrine is dedicated, celebrates annual Ratha-Yatra on second day of Shukla-Paksa in the month of Ashadha. 

Shri Jagannatha Mandira at coastal Puri in Odissa has survived a long spell of sanguinary history. Like Shri Somnatha Mandira in Gujarat, Jagannatha Dham too encountered no less than seventeen attacks between 800 AD to 1740 AD with sixteen of them in less than four centuries 1390 onwards. On every occasion of invasion Murti-s were rescued to some safe location, then brought back to the original place and rituals resumed. It had to be repeated eighteen times over a span of four centuries. Why was the holy shrine repeatedly raided ? Jagannatha Prabhu has been the ultimate sovereign of Utkal Kingdom, so ordained by King Ananga Bhimdeva-III during 12^th century and proclaimed himself ruler only on His behalf. Far away in Udaipur too, Ranas of Mewar ruled on behalf of Eklingji, sovereign of Mewar. Shri Jagannatha shrine has been conscience, pride and self-esteem of Sanatana Dharma as well as Odia culture as raiding the temple amounted to raiding Sanatana Dharma itself through the shrine. 

Odissa fell under Islamic occupation in 1568 and in 1751 Bhosales of Nagpur liberated the state from clutches of Nawabs of Bengal. Narasimhavaram of Ganga and Kapilendradeva of Gajapati dynasties were instrumental in enhancing cultural life of Odissa. Invasions on the temple during that period however, continued.

First invasion was carried out in 9^th century by a Rashtrakuta King Govinda-III when Murti-s were rescued by Purohita-s and hidden away. However this attack did change the ruler but culture remained unaffected.

Second invasion happened only after five centuries in 1340 by the then Sultan of Bengal Illias Shah leading to extensive destruction albeit deities were removed and hidden away.

Third invasion was carried out by Feroze Shah Tughlaq who destroyed a few more temples at Barabati. It is not certain whether he could damage deities.

Fourth invasion was launched by Ismail Ghazi of Sultanate of Bengal through porous northern border while deities were hidden away in Chadhaiguha island at Chilka lake. King Pratap Rudradeva (1497-1540) amassed a huge army to banish the Muslim despot aggressor.

Fifth invasion was wrought by Kala Pahar in 1568 who happened to be Afghan General of the Sultan of Bengal that ceased rule of the last Hindu King Mukunda Deva. Deities were again hidden in Chilka lake albeit found out by Muslim invaders and incinerated. However, Brhama Padartha didn’t, was retrieved and hidden in Mridanga by a Hindu pilgrim. Later in 1575, it was duly consecrated in Murti-s by King Ramchandra Deva.

Sixth invasion happened in 1592 AD perpetrated by a Muslim Suleiman who conducted genocide of Hindu-s and destruction of several other temples too in Puri. Administration of Jagannatha shrine was restored to King Ramchandra Deva of Khurda under Mughal influence of Man Singh.

Seventh invasion was carried out by Mirza Khurram of Nawab of Bengal in 1607 in the Kingdom of Purushottama Deva. However deities were shifted 50 Kms. away in Kapileshvara to be restored later after a year.

Eight invasion on the shrine was perpetrated by Mughal Subedar of Odissa Qasim Khan in 1609 and plundered the temple town of Puri. This time deities were shifted to Gopala Temple in Khurda before being brought back after the situation had calmed down.

Ninth invasion was launched by a Qasim Khan loyalist Kesodarmaru during Rath-Yatra in 1610, burnt down chariots, held the shrine for eight months. King Purushottama Deva had to pay Rs. 3 lakhs to Mughal despot Jahangir to liberate the shrine.

Tenth invasion was staged by a Hindu Kalyan Mal, son of Akbars courtier Todar Mal after being appointed Subedar of Odissa in a bid to extort the shrine of wealth in 1611. Deities were again hidden in Mahisamari of Chilka lake before being restored.

Eleventh invasion was again conducted by Kalyan Mal and he plundered the shrine to his hearts content.

Twelfth invasion was done by Mukarram Shah, Subedar of Odissa in 1612 under Jahangirs occupation, destroyed scores of deities except Jagannatha ji being hidden in Gopapada then in Bankanidhi temple.

Thirteenth attack was conducted by Shah Jahan himself to settle a few scores. Murti-s were secured out of the shrine, later restored and consecrated.

Fourteenth invasion was carried out by Amir Mutquah Khan after demise of King Narsimha Deva who looted the temple.

Fifteenth invasion was done by Mughal Mudbak Khan in 1647 with large number of killings and extensive loot of the temple wealth.

Sixteenth invasion was staged by Aurangzeb in 1692 when Ekram Khan had entered into the shrine and ravaged it extensively. Deities and Brhama Padartha were hidden away in Bimala Temple near Chilka Lake.

Seventeenth invasion was launched in 1717 AD by Naib Nazim of Odissa Taqi Khan, Murti-s were shifted to several temples, finally in a temple at Kodala Hills. Maratha-s captured Odissa province from Aliverdy Khan, Navab of Bengal and the shrine witnessed a long spell of peace and prosperity triggered by the temple wealth.

Eighteenth and the last invasion was carried out by followers of Alekh Pantha during British occupation when deities were burnt. However they were soon arrested by the British-Indian Police. 

Holy Jagannatha shrine suffered serial invasions on lines of coastal Shri Somnatha Mandira in Gujarat. Indeed entire Sanatana culture, heritage and civilization have been under serial invasions for past centuries. All those invaders came with the sole intention of plundering our fabulous wealth, capture our fertile lands and rule over the entire sub-continent. During British occupation, 435 trillion $ worth of assets were looted by British brigands before planting their own stooges to continue with the loot after their ignominious departure. Now that the nation is on path of resurgence, renaissance, revival and recovery of our looted glory, possibility of relapse of serial invasions runs very high. Vedic Sanatana ideals cannot be practised all and sundry without imposing terms and conditions, so had been hitherto which led to brutal exploitation and savage invasions. Every Hindu must inculcate, nurture and propagate warrior like temperament to defend our wealth, self-esteem and honour. Merely being brilliantly outstanding in every discipline of endeavour is horribly insufficient unless we are zealously protective of all our gains. Call of the hour is to accord ‘Killer-instinct’ highest priority in our outlook and disposition so as to prevent repeat of our brutal past dotted with serial holocausts and extensive plunders.