2-979-713 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Rutt Jatthra, a Hindoo Festival held at Juggernauth, in Orissa, from a native drawing, 1857. 'Juggernauth, which means "the Lord of the World," and is one of the thousand names of Vishnu, in the avatar or manifestation of Krishna, is situated on the sea coast of the Cuttack district of Orissa...When the processions are to take place, the cars are brought in front of the temple, those of Siva and Juggernauth being forty feet high...Siva is daubed over with dirty white paint, Juggernauth with dark blue, and Cali Durga with yellow...the priests drag them along by ropes about their necks, while the people utter the most discordant yells, and perform the most ridiculous and indecent gesticulations...It is said...that as many are drawn to Juggernauth by the indecency as by the sanctity'. From "Illustrated London News", 1857.