Devi Subhadra is a prominent deity in Hinduism and one of the main divine figures worshipped at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, India. She is considered the sister of Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra and is an essential member of the divine trinity worshipped at the temple. The sibling trio—Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra—is affectionately known as the “Triad” or “Trimurti” of the Jagannath Temple.
According to Hindu mythology, Devi Subhadra is believed to be the sister of Lord Krushna and Balaram in their previous incarnations. According to Hindu scriptures, she was a princess from the Yadava clan, who married Arjun—one of the Pandav brothers—and had a son named Abhimanyu.
In the context of the Jagannath Temple, the legend associated with Subhadra is intertwined with the temple’s origin story, particularly the episode involving King Indradyumna and the manifestation of the deities.
King Indradyumna, a devout follower of Lord Vishnu, desired to build a grand temple dedicated to the deity. However, he faced challenges in finding a suitable divine image to install within the temple. Seeking guidance from the sage Narada, the king learned about a sacred log that had washed ashore. According to Narad, Lord Vishnu, in the disguise of an artist named Vishwakarma, had crafted the divine images of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra from this unique log.
When King Indradyumna reached the location, he found the sacred log, but the deities were incomplete. Despite his prayers and attempts to complete the idols, Vishnu, in the form of the log, disappeared. Undeterred, the king decided to install the unfinished deities in the temple, symbolizing the formlessness and omnipresence of the divine.
In this context, Devi Subhadra is considered the sister of Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra. She is believed to be the younger sister of Lord Krishna and Balarama in their previous incarnations. The inclusion of Devi Subhadra in the divine trinity of the Jagannath Temple adds a familial and emotional dimension to the worship at the temple.
The wooden images of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are central to the temple’s rituals and festivities. Devi Subhadra’s idol is usually depicted with a simple and graceful appearance. She is often shown with a round face, large eyes, and adorned with traditional ornaments. The reverence for Devi Subhadra is an integral part of the rituals and festivals conducted at the Jagannath Temple, including the annual Rath Yatra or chariot festival, during which the deities are taken out in grand processions.
The worship of Devi Subhadra reflects the belief in the divine feminine and the significance of familial bonds in Hindu mythology. Devotees seek her blessings for well-being, harmony, and protection, considering her an embodiment of divine sisterly love.
