Navagunjara: The Mystical Being of Odisha’s Mahabharat

Odisha’s spiritual heritage is filled with stories of mythology, philosophy, and symbolism. Among these, the legend of Navagunjara stands out for its deep cultural teachings. While many devotees notice the eight Navagunjaras on the Neel Chakra, few know the narrative behind their presence.

A Rare Encounter from the Vanavas of Arjuna 

The story traces back to the Mahabharat, during the Pandavas’ twelve-year exile. One afternoon, while meditating in a dense forest. He suddenly saw a creature so extraordinary that even he was momentarily startled.

What stood before him was unlike anything that existed in nature. A rooster’s head, a peacock’s neck, the shoulder of a bull, the torso of a lion; legs representing the elephant, tiger, and deer; and a serpentine tail completing the form. Amidst these striking elements, one detail stood out: a human arm holding a lotus.

Arjuna’s first instinct was to reach for his bow. But the poise of the raised hand persuaded him to pause. In that moment, he felt the revelation in him that this was no ordinary being. It was a manifestation of Madhav.

The Philosophy Within Navagunjara

The appearance of Navagunjara is not merely an artistic imagination. It represents a philosophy that the world needs to know.

In a single body composed of nine different beings, Navagunjara symbolizes the unity of diverse natural forces. The form conveys that divinity does not belong to a single shape, colour, or species. Instead, divinity can reveal itself through innumerable forms, some familiar, some incomprehensible.

Through this encounter, Krishna reminded Arjuna that the divine essence is not confined to what we humans know of this world. A believer must recognise divinity even in forms that the minddoes not immediately understand.

This message aligns strongly with Odisha’s spiritual worldview, where the divine is seen as multi-dimensional, fluid, and present in every layer of existence.

Why Navagunjara Stands on the Neel Chakra

The Shree Jagannath Temple embodies this very principle of inclusiveness and spiritual plurality. The presence of eight Navagunjaras on the Neel Chakra. In essence, the Navagunjara represents Odisha’s belief that God exists in unity as well as diversity sentiment.
A Story Rooted in Odisha’s Identity

For many Odias, the tale of Navagunjara is not mythology. It is a reaffirmation of the region’s unique spiritual identity, one that embraces complexity, celebrates diversity, and encourages humility in the face of the unknown.