Alexander Cunningham and Mr. Beglar visited the premises of this temple in November 1811-12 and 1885 and concluded that it used to be ruin, converted into a "mound comprising an area of 1500 to 2000 feet in length from the West to the East and nearly 1000 feet in breadth' from North to the South.” Cunningham had opined that the date of Amar Singh's (Shah) Fort is quite uncertain, but he must have held power before the rise of the Pala Rajas in 1800 AD. Buchanan mentions that the mound was called Raja Asthan (The Palace) and Ranivas (Rani's Palace) during the period of Amar Singh's rule. Francis Buchanan has pointed out an inscription that the Jagannath Temple and the Ram Janaki Temple had been built by Ganga Bai who died at the beginning of the nineteenth century. This has been authenticated by the eminent archaeologist, Rajendra Lal Mitra, Gaya Gazetter by L.S.S.O Mailley/ RC Mujumdar, Beni Madhav Barua and discussion with darwari shree Deendayal Giri of Bodhgaya Math and other sources{5} {6} {7} {8} {9}.

MAHAPRASAD -BHOG & BHANDARA.

Since Gaya has been acknowledged as the place of salvation, the pilgrims and devotees opt to pay visits to Bodh Gaya, Dharmaranya, Matang Vapi, Sarswati, Mahabodhi Temple and Jagannath Temple in order to offer Pinddaan. They in the process donate money and grains for the use of Bhog/ Prasad to the deities as well as for the devotees in tune with of 'Bhandara' or langar (community feasts).

According to the prevailing tradition, deities in Lord Jagannath Temple are offered Mahaprasad-Bhog every day between 12 noon and 2 pm, which is distributed among the devotees. From Sunday to Friday the Bhog Prasad consists of cooked rice, pulse, vegetable, papad, sauce, Dahi Bada among others. On Saturday, khichadi is offered and distributed among the visitors and devotees. The temple remains open from 6 am morning to 9 pm night. However, two hours in the afternoon, during the post lunch period, is fixed for Divine Rest. The Nyas Samiti maintains and runs a Goshala, where a number of milk giving cows are reared. There is a big Hall on the ground floor of the main temple in which Satsang, Bhajan, religious discourses, and Bhog and Bhandara are organised.

MANAGEMENT OF SHREE JAGANNATH TEMPLE

After the decline of Shabar king Amar Singh(Shah) and his spouse Kulangi Rani and his mistress Ganga bai, the management and control of Shree Jagannath Temple came into the hands of Tekari Raj. After the merger of Tekari Raj with Amawa Estate, Rani Bhuvneshwari Kunwar being the owner of the Estate, donated some pieces of land and also the  revenue of some villages for the upkeep and maintenance of this temple. In due course Rani Bhuvneshwari kunwar authorized the Bodh Gaya Mutth to take care of management of Jagannath Temple. With the passage of time however, the old Jagannath Temple came to a dilapidated Estate and also mismanaged for want of proper fund and care.

The renovation of Jagannath Temple of Bodh Gaya was started at the behest of Acharya Kishore Kunal, Chair person of the Bihar State Religious Trust Board. It was revival of a tradition as well as the renovation of the Temple. The renovation work was laid by Shree Kup. S. Sudarshan, the fifth Sarsanghchalak and the RSS Pramukh, and assisted by a philanthropist of Gaya Lt. Shivram Dalmia, besides a number of devotees and social activists of Bodhgaya and Gaya. It took place on Magh Shukla Saptami, 13 February 2008. During this period 'Jagannath Mandir Jeernodhar Samiti was constituted by the Bihar State Religious Trust Board. Late Shivram Dalmia, his wife Smt. Usha Dalmia played a vital role in the renovation of the temple. The following persons were co-opted as members:

 1. The District Magistrate, Gaya - Chairman

2. Mahanth Sudarshan Giri, Bodh Gaya Math - Secretary

3. Shree Shivram Dalmia. (Dalmia Sadan, KP Road, Gaya) - Treasurer

4. H.H. Swami Ramacharyajee, (Madhva Sampradaay, Vishnupad Road, Gaya) - Member

4. Shree Raghunandan Paswan – Member, Bodh Gaya Math, Gaya 

It was at the initiation of the Bihar State Religious Trust Board under the stewardship of its Chairperson Acharya Shree Kishore Kunal that the management of "Prachin Shree Jagannath Temple" came into the hands of the newly constituted Trust Committee known as Prachin Shree Jagannath Mandir Nyas Samiti in 2015 for a tenure of five years, comprising following persons as "Office Bearers" vide Letter No. 593 dated the 23th May, 2015:

1. Mahanth Ramesh Giri, Bodh Gaya Math, Gaya - Patron                                    

2. Smt. Usha Dalmia (W/o Late Shivram Dalmia, 'Dalmia Sadan', K.P. Road, Gaya) - Chairperson

4. Sri Rai Madan Kishore (Anta Kothi, Katari Hill, Gaya) - Secretary

5. Sri Lallu Prasad Gupta, Bodh Gaya Bazar - Treasurer

6. Sri Shiv Kailash Dalmia, ('Dalmia Sadan', KP Road, Gaya) - Member

7. Sri Vinay Gopal (Baiju Bigha, Bodh Gaya) - Member

8. Sri Surendra Nath Singh (Domuhan, Bodh Gaya) - Member

9. Sri Brajendra Kumar. Choubey, (Domuhan, Bodh Gaya) - Member

10. Sri Deepak Das (Duly appointed formal Pujari, Jagannath Mandir, Bodh Gaya) - Member

11. Sri Abhay Simbha (440, A.P. Colony, Gaya)  - Member

12. Sri Pankaj Paswan (Buddha Vilas, Lane No. 2. Katorwa Road, Bodh Gaya – Member

Since The Prachin Shree Jagannath Mandir existed in the old temple from 1780 to 2008 and it was renovated and inaugurated in January 2013 after the "Pran Pratishtha and Yajna" performed by H.H. Sri Raghvacharya, Ramanuj  Math, Deo Ghat, Vishnupad Gaya, the ritualistic tradition was restored forthwith.

On completion of the tenure of the Nyas Samiti after five years, in 1921 the "Prachin Shree Jagannath Mandir Nyas Samiti" was reconstituted, consisting of the following office bearers for a tenure of another five years vide Letter No. 2764 dated the 24th August, 2021.

1. The District Magistrate, Gaya - Chairperson

2. Smt. Usha Dalmia ("Dalmia Sadan', K.P. Road, Gaya) - Vice-Chair person

3. Sri Roy Madan Kishore ('Anta Kothi, Katari Hill Road, Gaya) --- Secretary

4. S.D.0., Sadar Gaya - Member

5. S.D.P.O., Bodh Gaya - Member

6. Executive Magistrate, Gaya - Member

7. The Executive Officer, Nagar Panchayat, Bodh Gaya - Member

8. Sri Shiv Kailash Dalmia,( "Dalmia Sadan' K.P. Road, Gaya) - Member

9. Sri Arvind Kumar Singh (Sachchidanand Vihar, Colony, Domuhan, Bodh Gaya Member-cum-Treasurer

10. Sri Brajendra Kr. Choubey (Domuhan, Bodh Gaya) – Member

Important Religious Activities and Rituals (Rath Yatra and Kalash Yatra).

The tradition of the main Rath yatra is solemnised on the Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya every year. However, the rituals start seventeen days earlier on the full moon day of the previous month i.e. on Jyestha Purnima. This day all the three statues of Jagannath, Balram and Subhadra and the Divine weapon "Sudarshan Chakra" are taken out of the main temple and placed in the open sanctorum or varandah of the main temple. After Jalabhishek, Panchamrit Snan and Shodashopachar Pujan and Aarti, including decorating with apparels, the temple remains close for fifteen days for devotees. This period is known as "Rugnavakash" (quarantine) period.

On full moon day (Purnima) of the month of Jyestha "Kalash Yatra" starts in the morning, seventeen days prior to the Rath Yatra. 108 ladies fill the new earthen small pitcher with the holy water of he Niranjana river and after parading through the roads and streets of Bodhgaya they come to the main temple. This ritual is called "Kalash Yatra" meant for "Jalabhishek" (Dev- Snan) which is performed after the placing of the statues of Jagannath, Balram, Subhdra and Sudarshan Chakra in the Varandah. The Jalabhishek ritual is performed by the Pujaris in strict adherence to the pattern of Jagannath temple, Puri. On the statue of Shree Jagannath jee, water of 35 kalash(pitcher) is poured and on Balbadhrajee 33 kalash, on Subhadra Devi 22 kalash and Sudarshan Chakra is offered the holy water of 18 kalash. As such the water of 108 kalash is trifurcated. That is followed by the "Shodshopachar Pujan" ie. worship of the statues with sixteen varities of offerings under the supervision of a senior Acharya according to the Jagannath Temple, Puri tradition.

Except the main worshipers/Pujari nobody is allowed inside the temple. It is supposed that Shree Jagannath swallows the sufferings of the entire humanity and falls ill. During this period He is treated by herbal therapy in the form of tepid liquid or juice of certain herbs as treatment. After a fortnight the temple opens for devotes and common people and fifty six varieties of sweets and different dishes (Chhappan Bhog) are offered to Him and the regular worship starts henceforth.

Adjacent to the south of the Shree Jagannath Temple, There is Ram Darbar consisting of Shree Ram, Mata Janaki, Bharata Laxman, Sri Hanuman along with Tulsi Das.The ritual of Pran Pratistha were solamised in 2018. under stewardship of HH Sri Jeer Swami along with a large number of saints from different part of the country.

In the north of Shree Jagannath Temple, Lok Nath Temple has been renovated at the beheast of Smt Usha Dalmia, who took keen interest in the completion and Pran Pratistha rituals of Shiv Pariwar under the guidence of H H Mantra Ramacharaya, Vedic Pathsala, Vishnupad Road, Gaya.

A Special Ritual (PATAL PRAVESH).

"Prachin Shree Jagannath Temple Bodh Gaya" follows the entire tradition and rituals of the Jagannath Temple, Puri. As per ritualistic tradition the statues of Shree Jagannath Balram and Subhdra are enterred in the earth after twelve years which in known as "Patal Pravesh". That land is located near the South-East of the Jagannath Temple.

REFERENCES

1.Mahavansh (A Srilankan Document ) Provided by Kailash Jee.

2.Plate 1 and plate 21(Roman) Journal of Francis Buchanen cunningham.

3.Alexander Cunningham, Mahabodhi, 1887.

4.Mahavansh srilankan textbook.

5.Rajendra Lal Mitra, Buddha Gaya, 1878.

6.Gaya Gazetteer by LSSO Mailley

7.RC Mujumdar Gaya Gazetteer 1907/1957

8.Benimadhav Barua, Gaya and Bodh Gaya, 1934.

9.P.V.Kane, History of Dharmashastra (Volumes I to V)

10.L.S.S. O' Mailley, History of Magadh.

11.Alexander Cunningham, Mahabodhi, 1887.

12.Rajendra Lal Mitra, Buddha Gaya, 1878.

13. Shantibhikshu Shastry (ed.), Lalit Vistar, 2016.

14.Havaldar Tripathi Sahriday, Bauddha dharma aur Bihar.

MUCH MORE ABOUT GAYA AND BODH GAYA (THE GRAND NARRAVITES AND LEGENDS)

According to the Mahabharat (Van Parv 45/13) Dharmraj Yuddhisthir had performed a major Yajna for four months when he learnt from a Brahmin named Shamath (शमठ) about the spirituality of this historic site. It was surcharged by the religious performances of "Amoortaraya Gaya," son of Sudymnn who had established the Gaya town. This place has been the nucleus of the entire earth (नाभिकेन्द्र) and the most sacred spot of pilgrimage on the earth.

पृथ्वीपुरन्ध्प्रास्तिलकं ललाटे लक्ष्मीलतायाः स्फुटमालदालम्।

वाग्देवताया जलकेलिरम्यं धर्माटवीं सम्प्रतिवर्षयामि ।।

There was also a Moolark Temple thousands of years ago where Dharma had performed penance. Bodhisatva was himself born as an elephant where there is 'Matangvapi or Dharmavapi in which water from millions of pilgrimage had been poured cumulatively.

These descriptions authenticate the antiquity of spiritual events and practices, prior to Lord Buddha's enlightenment.

On going through the Pauranic texts, another anecdote makes us aware of the fact that Shree Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva had narrated the story of the statue of Shree Jagannath in order to emancipate the cursed gatekeeper/Dwarpal (द्वारपाल ) of Lord Shiva from "Pishach Yoni." There is a description in scriptures that Devrishi Narad and Yamraj had been blessed by Lord Vishnu that the statue of Shree Jagannath ji can be visible during the Kaliyug only. During Satyug, Treta and Dwaper yug, Shree Jagannath jee will remain invisible (Nirakar).

There is an acknowledged fact that the statue of Shree Jagannathji, Balbhadra, Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshan (Divine missile) had been established at Puri in the Jaganath Temple by the king named Indradyumna. He was a dedicated Vaishnavite --devotee of Lord Vishnu. Once he dreamt of Lord Vishnu's presence in his kingdom in the form of "Neel Maadhav" at an unknown place. He asked his ministers and courtiers to search Him. One of the Vaishanvite devotees named "Vidyapati" could succeed in the mission. He found that statue was lying in the custody of Shabar chieftain of the tribal origin named "Vishvavashu" (विश्ववसु). With view to locating Neel Madhav he had to marry Lalita who was the daughter of Vishvavashu. He felt auspicious sweet fragrance being emanated from the body of his wife "Lalita" when she used to come back from her ‘parents’ house. On enquiring about it she told him that it is the aftermath of the worship of Neel Madhav. On repeated requests of Vidyapati, Vishvavashu consented to the proposal of Vidyapati to show him the statue of Neel Madhav. However, the eyes of Vidyapati had been closed by tying a piece of cloth in order to maintain the secrecy of the spot where the statue of Neel Madhav existed. Vidyapati kept some mustard sceds stealthily and went on scattering them on way. After a few days those mustard seeds germinated and became plants following which Vidyapati could locate the exact spot of Neel Madhav. Vidyapti told the king Indradyumna everything and took him to the spot but the statue of Neel Madhav had disappeared and nothing could be seen there. Indradyumna resorted to severe penance and also performed "Ashwamedh Yaina" which culminated into an inspiration within his inner self to construct a temple. On completion of the temple there appeared Devarshi Narad on whose advice the statue of Narsingh (the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu) was installed.

Being pleased with the pious intention and religious instinct of king Indradyumna the divine force in the form of God Jagannath appeared in his dream. He was inspired to make a statue from the fragrant branch of a tree as per suggestion of the 'Ocean god' (वरुण देव ). At the  divine initiation, the legendary sculptor Vishwakarma agreed to prepare the statue on the condition that till the completion of the construction of the statue his privacy should not be interrupted. Nobody was allowed to go near him. The king's patience is shaken after a long span of time and he himself visited the spot where Vishwakarma was preparing the statue. On breach of trust and violation of the condition Vishwakarma left the statue incomplete and went back to the heaven. This made the king Indradyumna perflexed. After a little while Brahma appeared and placed those incomplete statues after the rituals of "Pran Pratishtha." Brahma”also took the king to the Brahma Lok. Surprisingly enough, one day of Brahma engulfs centuries of the mundane world. On coming back from the Brahm Lok the king found only a heap of sand under which the entire temple had been covered. The king Suryadev used to rule those days. Indradyumna and the king Suryadev jointly made efforts to remove the sand and ultimately the sixty feet high temple was located. Both the kings renovated the temple. In due course one of their descendents of Eastern Ganga dynasty the king Anantvarman Gangadev and his descendents "Anang  Bheem Dev" renovated the Jagannath temple in Puri at the seashore during the twelfth century (1161-1174). As per official records the spiritual tenor of the Jagannath temple caught momentum when Chaityna Mahaprabhu (1486-1534) popularized the "Sankritan Tradition'" (Hare Krisna Cult), Chaitnya Mahaprabhu stayed at Jagannath Puri during the last period of his life for eighteen years and metamorphosed into salvation (Sayujya Mukti) by submerging his physical entity into the statue of the Jagannath as had been in the case of Meera in the temple of Shreenath jee (Raja).