Puri Jagannath Gundichha Rani and the Nakachana Katha (पुरी जगन्नाथ के गुंडिचा रानी और नाकचणा कथा)

There are two gates in front of the Srigundicha temple wall. One is 'Singhadwar' and the other is 'Nakachana Dwar'. On the day of 'Srigundichayatra', three chariots go from the Singhadwar of the temple and proceed to the Singhadwar of Gundicha temple. On that way, the deities go down a small hill and enter the Adva Mandapa. Therefore, this is the first and main entrance of the Gundicha temple. But to the east of this gate, like the Lion Gate, there is another gate towards Sharadha Bali. This is the second gate of the Shri Gundicha Temple. Three chariots turn right and come in front of this gate and through this gate, the Thakurs enter the chariot for the Bahuda Yatra. Therefore, this is the exit gate of the Thakurs. Its popular name is 'Nakachana Dwar'.There are three stories or legends related to why this gate is called 'Nakachana Dwara'.

In Odia, the word 'nakchana' refers to a type of 'phuli' or ornament worn on the nose. There are many varieties of it. These varieties are 'oltamuhha', 'kandhi', 'baulakolia' and 'ambakeriya' etc. At that time, the ornaments worn on the nose were called 'Nakachana' or 'Nakaphuli'. The second gate of the Srigundicha temple is named after this 'Nakachana'.

❀ The most important of the stories or legends related to this is that the name of King Indradyumna's queen was Gundicha. The gold 'nakachana' she wore on her nose was studded with diamonds. So it was very expensive. She sold it and used that money to build the second gate of the temple. So it became known as 'Nakachana Dwar'.

❀ But the second legend related to this is not related to any queen - it is related to Mahalakshmi herself. According to this legend, when Devi Lakshmi visited the Gundicha temple on the day of Hera Panchami, she was angered by the 'Tera' falling at dusk. He entered the temple through the Lion Gate, but in anger he left through the South Gate. While he was rushing out that way, his nose ornament fell from his nose. Since the ornament was in the shape of a 'channa', the gate was named 'Nakachana' in his memory.

Of these legends, the first is the most popular. Hence, the popular belief persists that the gate was built with the exchange price of the gundicharani's nose, hence its name 'Nakchana Dwar'.

But this gate also has another name. That is the 'Vijaya' gate. It is named this way because Lord Jagannath and his gods emerge victorious through this gate. It is noteworthy that on the day of Heera Panchami, after Goddess Lakshmi receives the garland from Lord Jagannath at Gundicha Temple, the very next morning, the garland is given to the three chariots in preparation for the Bahuda Vijaya. This is the last order of the Thakurs to the chariots. After receiving this order, the three chariots turn south. That is, the Thakurs prepare to return from the Gundichamandir in the north to the Srimandir in the south. Although the pilgrims entered through the first gate, the Singhadwar, on their way to Srigundicha Yatra, the Thakurs used to enter the chariot through this gate, 'Bahuda Pahandi'. Hence, another name for this 'Nakachana' gate is 'Vijaya Dwar'.