Lord Jagannath is inseparable from the Shakti tradition — Puri itself is Sri Kshetra, the abode of Lakshmi. Dr. Kumar Aurojyoti reveals the hidden Shakta architecture of the Jagannath temple complex and the remarkable stories behind it.
The session uncovers how the Durga Madhava shrine attached to the outer wall of the Jagannath temple was built in the 15th century by Gajapati Purushottam — a king who received divine assurance of military victory through a vision of Durga beside a miniature Jagannath. The story of Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra appearing as horsemen to quench their thirst near Puri — and the yoghurt-seller Manika whose village bears her name to this day — grounds the theology in living legend.
Most strikingly, Dr. Aurojyoti explains that the fierce original Vedakari image within the temple was so terrifying that a secondary, less fearsome image was installed for public darshan — a powerful illustration of how Shakti worship adapts without abandoning its tantric roots.

About the Speaker:

Dr. Kumar Aurojyoti is an Ayurvedic physician and cultural advocate from Puri, Odisha. A Panchakarma specialist and co-founder of Ayurdwar Clinic (2002), he has served patients globally through holistic healing. Passionate about Odisha’s heritage, he promotes Sri Jagannath culture, temple architecture, and history through talks, All India Radio, and digital platforms. His research focuses on temple iconography and the Konark Sun Temple. A former national-level table tennis player, he currently serves as Convenor of the Puri & Khurda chapter of IHAR, blending medicine, culture, and community engagement.