jagganath
Proper noun A form or manifestation (avatar) of the Hindu deity Vishnu, particularly worshipped at the famous temple in Puri, Odisha, India. The name is often associated with a massive, annual chariot festival.
The word "Jagganath" is used as a proper noun to refer specifically to this deity. It is typically used in religious, cultural, and historical contexts. * The temple of Jagganath in Puri is a major pilgrimage site. * Devotees believe that Jagganath is a merciful form of Vishnu.
- The Jagganath Temple: Refers to the specific, ancient temple in Puri dedicated to this deity.
- Rath Yatra / Chariot Festival: The most famous event associated with Jagganath, where large chariots carrying the deities are pulled through the streets.
- Jagannath: The more common and standard transliteration of the Sanskrit name.
- Juggernaut: An English word derived from "Jagannath." It originally referred to the massive chariot used in the festival and now means a huge, powerful, and unstoppable force or institution.
- Avatar of Vishnu: A general term for any incarnation of Vishnu, of which Jagganath is one specific form.
- Deity / God: General terms for a divine being.
The primary and only meaning of "Jagganath" is as the name of this specific Hindu deity. Its significance is deeply tied to the associated temple, iconography (a wooden deity with large eyes), and the annual festival. The derived term "juggernaut" has taken on a separate, secular meaning in English.
- an avatar of Vishnu