A Study of Sustainable Approach in the Temples: An Analysis

Temples have been an important part of the lives of all Indians living not only in India but also those Non Resident Indians who are living outside India. Out of all the temples in India, Sri Jagannath Puri temple of Mahaprabhu Jagannath is one of those temples which is famous all over the world especially the Rath Yatra or the car festival which is an epitome of sustainability and life cycle. Everything about this temple is unique. The practices like anabasara, eg. Isolation, cooking Mahaprasad, where the bhog is prepared using those practices which is pollution free. Apart from that, the behaviour of the wind, travelling in opposite direction, or the Rath Yatra where the Mahaprabhu Lord Jagannath, along with his elder brother, Balabhadra, and younger sister, devi Shubhadra visit their maternal aunt’s home, affectionately called as Mausima. She is the queen of Puri, called as Rani Gundicha. This 10 day long festival is held every year where the common people get opportunity to see the Lord and seek blessings. Therefore, this paper is an attempt to make an analysis of the sustainable rituals that are followed in the Srimandir and how it has been successfully managed throughout generations.