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Gandhi Worshipped as Deity in Indian Temple
2 Oct
Summary
- Mahatma Gandhi's idol has been worshipped in a Jagannath temple for 65 years.
- Gandhi is treated as a side deity, receiving daily prayers and offerings.
- The temple installation was inspired by Gandhi's principles and ideals.
In Gosaninuagaon's Jagannath temple, an idol of Mahatma Gandhi has been a worshipped figure for 65 years. Since its installation in 1961, Gandhi has been revered as a parsva devata, or side deity, alongside Lord Jagannath and other deities.
The idol is afforded daily worship, including prayers and offerings of bhog. Religious texts such as the Bhagabat Gadi are placed near Gandhi's idol, underscoring its sacred status within the temple. Special ceremonies are conducted annually on October 2nd for Gandhi Jayanti and on January 30th for his death anniversary.
Temple managing committee head Panchanan Choudhury mentioned that in recent years, a few individuals who met Gandhi during his 1921 and 1946 visits to Berhampur would visit the temple and recite his favorite bhajans. He speculated that the installation was a result of admiration for Gandhi's ideals and principles.
Historians suggest that Gandhi's interactions with locals during his visits, particularly in 1921, may have led some to view him as god-like, influencing the decision to include his idol in the temple.
