Garuda Pillar

There are four sections of the temple, namely, the Bhogamandapa (refectory), the Natamandira (Hall for dance), Jagamohana (the porch) and the Deula (main temple).

In the Natamandira (the place for dance and music) there is a pillar known as “Garuda Stambha” on the top of which Garuda, the carrier of Narayana is seated with folded hands. This pillar is placed just at the level of Ratna Vedi (Ratnasimhasan) so that Garuda can point his eyes to the feet of Lord Jagannatha. From this place one can get a view of Lord Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra. Devotees embrace the pillar (Garuda Stambha) and offer their prayers to the Lord. Only on the eve of Ratha Yatra one can embrace the Lord. On other days devotees are debarred from doing so. They embrace the pillar of his carrier and feel they embrace of the Lord. Moreover the importance of Puri lies in embracing the Lord not only saluting and offering prayer to the Lord from a far.

People also embrace Pillar from hygienic point of view. It is said that one can get relief from incurable diseases if he can touch this pillar. Moreover devotees sit beneath this pillar while Garuda takes bath. It is also believed that one can be free from sin of ages together if a drop of bathing water of Garuda falls on him. Because of these reasons devotees embrace the pillar, touch their shoulders on this pillar to get rid of sins and diseases, they also feel that they embrace the Lord there by.

It is at this place that Sri Caitanya usually offered his prayers to Lord Jagannatha. The finger prints of Sri Caitanya are seen in the gate of Bhogamandapa. It is believed that stone wall of Bhogamandapa became soft at the devotion of Sri Caitanya as a result of which the finger prints of Sri Caitanya are imprinted on the wall.