ASI installs statue of Jaya and Vijay at Jagannath temple

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Monday installed two statues of 'Jaya' and 'Vijay' at the Lion's Gate of Shree Jagannath Temple here.

One of the statues was damaged in the severe cyclone Fani that made landfall in this holy town on May 3. The ASI had assured Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) to complete the restoration work of the damages made due to cyclone before the annual Rath Jatra of the Lord.

"As per ASI director-general Usha Sharma's directive, we have completed post-cyclone repair work at the temple on Snana Purnima (June 17) day," ASI superintendent Arun Kumar Mallick told reporters after two statues were installed at the main gate of the 12th century shrine.

The two statues of Jaya and Vijay were constructed by a team of stone sculptors headed by Nirmal Chandra Maharana of Sukhuapada village near Lalitgiri in Jajpur district. The sculptor team took a month's time to construct the statues of six-feet high each. The statues were made of Khondalite stone, Maharana said.

The statues of 'Jaya' and 'Vijay' are significant in the temple rituals as the cooking of "bhog" (food) begins only after worship of the duo, said Rabindanath Mishra, a researcher in the Jagannth Culture.

Mishra said according to rituals in the 12th century shrine, the Lord is offered "Bhog" only after worship of 'Jaya' and 'Viajay', considered as the "Dwarpal" (Choukidar) of the temple.

"The Jaya and Vijay according to mythology represents demon king Ravana and his brother Kumbhakarna", Mishra said.

Lord Ram appointed Ravana and his brother Kumbhakarna as the "Dwarpal" at the Jagannth Temple as they wanted to serve the Lord, Mishra said