The Four Gates Of Jagannatha temple

The four gates of Lord Jagannath Temple

The outer wall of Lord Jagannath Temple has gates openings for the devotees in the four direction. These four gates are represented by the four animals. In the east there is lion and hence called lion’s gate or sinhadwar. In the west there is tiger hence tiger’s gate or Vyaghradwar. In the north, there is elephant and hence called as elephant’s gate or Hastidwar. In the south, there is horse and hence horse’s gate or ashvadwar.

Eastern Gate/Lion's Gate/Simha Dwara

The two lions statues are there in this gate in the crouching position. The lion is a symbolic representation of MOKSHYA. Hence is is popularly said that if you enter in the temple through this gate, you will get mokshya. The deities present in simhadwar are Kasi Biswanath, Goudia Nrusimha and Bhagya Hanumaan.

Southern Gate/Horse Gate/Aswa Dwara

The horses symbolically represent the KAMA or lust. There are two galloping horses with Jagannath and Balabhadra on their back in the martial glory. The images of  Lokanath, Isanesvara, Parsunath, Dhabalesvara, Laxmi-Nrusimha amd Tapasvi Hanumaan are present here.

You have to sacrifice the feeling of lust while entering through this gate.

Western Gate/Tiger Gate/Vyaghra Dwara

Tiger is the symbol of DHARMA. The Dharma is an important philosophy in the Hindu Religion. In each and every moment to have to adhere with your Dharma.The deities present here are Ramesvara, Nisa Nrusimha and Birabikram Hanumaan.

Northern Gate/Elephant Gate/Hasti Dwara

The Hastidwara or the Elephant Gate had on each side a colossal figure of elephant, which is said to have been disfigured during the Muslim inroads. Subsequently, these figures were repaired and plastered with mortar and placed at the northern gate of the inner enclosure (Kurma Bedha). The images of  Lokanath, Isanesvara, Parsunath, Dhabalesvara, Laxmi-Nrusimha amd Tapasvi Hanumaan are present here.

These are the four ways by which one can reach The Lord of Universe. The doors are names after the animals because of their symbolic representation at the door.