Puri Jagannath Temple: The untold story behind Patita Pābana idol

By: Binit Kumar Bhoi

A tale of devotion, sacrifice, and divine compassion lies embedded in the sacred stones of the Jagannath Temple in Puri. At the Singh Dwār (Lion Gate), stands an extraordinary idol of the Pātita Pāvana Mūrti, whose very existence speaks about god’s love towards its people.

The Shadow of Invasion: 18th Century Odisha

The 18th century was a turbulent period for Odisha and the holy city of Puri. The region faced relentless invasions, with sacred sites constantly under threat of destruction. Jagannath Temple, one of Hinduism's most revered sanctuaries, became a prime target for plunderers who sought the symbolic conquest of faith itself.

During this dark chapter emerged Tāki Khan, a Mughal commander whose ambitions centered on the annihilation of the Jagannath Temple.

A King's Impossible Choice

Ruling Odisha at this critical time was Ramchandra Dev II, a monarch who viewed his crown not as a symbol of power but as an instrument of service to Lord Jagannath. Unlike rulers who, Ramchandra Dev II lived as a humble servant of the deity he was sworn to protect.

Following a decisive military defeat, the king found himself imprisoned by Tāki Khan. The Mughal commander presented him with an ultimatum that: convert to Islam, or witness the complete destruction of the Jagannath Temple.

For King Ramchandra Dev II, this was not a choice between personal comfort and hardship; it was a decision between his own spiritual identity and the preservation of a sacred heritage that belonged to millions of devotees across generations.

The Sacrifice at Midnight

To prevent the temple's destruction and spare Odisha from religious devastation, he agreed to marry Tāki Khan's sister and embrace Islam, becoming Hāfiz Qadīr Beg.

This was a calculated sacrifice of the highest order. By relinquishing his own religious identity, the king ensured the survival of a spiritual tradition that had sustained his people for centuries.

However, this act of supreme devotion came with a devastating personal cost: he was forever barred from entering the temple he had saved.

Standing at the Gate of Longing

Every day thereafter, the former king stood at the Singh Dwār, the grand entrance to the temple complex. From beyond the threshold, he could hear the sacred bells ringing during worship, the chanting of mantras, and the footsteps of devotees who freely entered the sanctum he could no longer access.

Whenever he attempted to enter, the temple servitors though pained by their duty, were compelled to stop him. The purity laws and religious protocols that governed the temple left no room for exception, even for a king who had sacrificed everything for its preservation.

Divine Intervention

The heartbreak of this devoted servant did not go unnoticed by Lord Jagannath. According to temple tradition, the deity appeared in a servitor's dream with a profound message: "If my devotee cannot come inside, then I will stand outside."

True to this divine promise, the Pātita Pāvana Mūrti which literally means "the idol that purifies the fallen" was installed at the Singh Dwār. This idol was placed specifically for those who, for any reason could not enter the main temple.

A Living Legacy of Compassion

Even today, centuries after that dark period, the Pātita Pāvana idol continues to stand at the Singh Dwār. Pilgrims from all walks of life offer their prayers before this compassionate manifestation of Lord Jagannath, recognizing in it a profound spiritual truth.

This sacred image serves as an eternal reminder that:

In an age where questions of religious exclusion, caste discrimination, and spiritual access remain contentious issues, the story of the Pātita Pāvana idol offers a powerful counter-narrative. It reminds us that authentic spirituality can cross institutional boundaries and that divine compassion inevitably finds ways to embrace those whom society might reject.