Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Juggernaut explained
The chapter describes the temple and worship of Juggernaut, an idol of carved wood with a hideous face, located near the coast southwest of Calcutta.
What happens
The chapter describes the temple and worship of Juggernaut, an idol of carved wood with a hideous face, located near the coast southwest of Calcutta. During festivals, the idol is placed on a tall wheeled tower, pulled by ropes by devotees, while some worshippers throw themselves under the wheels as a sacrifice, amid shouts of approval. Pilgrims flock by the tens of thousands to the temple, especially in March and July, where all castes eat together.
Key passages
“The idol is a carved block of wood, with a hideous face, painted black, and a distended bloodred mouth.”
The idol is a wooden carving with a grotesque black face and a wide, blood-red mouth.
Describes the physical appearance of the Juggernaut idol.
“While the tower moves along numbers of the devout worshippers throw themselves on the ground, in order to be crushed by the wheels, and the multitude shout in approbation of the act, as a pleasing sacrifice to the idol.”
As the tower moves, many devout worshippers lie down to be crushed by the wheels, and the crowd cheers, seeing it as a pleasing sacrifice.
Describes the act of self-sacrifice during the festival procession.