The Nila Chakra

Since the most awaited Jagannath Ratha Yatra is not far away, just thought of writing on the importance and the history of the Nila Chakra. H.H Bhakti Purusottama Swami Maharaj who is from Puri had visited Bangalore and in his talks he mentioned about the Chakra and how important it is.
Lord Vishnu always holds the Chakra in his right hand. Previously, even Lord Jagannath used to hold the Chakra like Lord Vishnu. Seeing his importance, Sudarshan Chakra once became proud. He started thinking, "I am such an important component and devotee of the Lord. I am so powerful that on being released, I can slay the person within seconds!! " However, the Lord who knows what is running within everyone's mind, immediately understood about his devotee's pride. The Lord is all merciful but he can never tolerate pride . One day, He called Chakra and asked him to call Hanuman ( He also mentioned that Hanuman was the most powerful and His greatest devotee) who was meditating on the shore of the ocean. Hearing Hanuman's praises, Chakra was quite puzzled and angered. Following the Lord's desire, he went to the shore of the ocean and informed Hanuman and within a few seconds, returned back. By the time Hanuman came to the Simha Dwaram of the Jagannath temple, Sudarshan Chakra was blocking the entrance by spinning through very fast. When Hanuman reached the other Entrance, Chakra was holding him there too. He kept trying hard but became helpless while Sudarshan Chakra became even more proud. Seeing his situation, Hanuman prayed to Lord Jagannath. Immediately, as Sudarshan Chakra was blocking the four entrances, four Chakras came up into Hanuman's hands. Seeing Hanuman holding the Chakra as a toy, Sudarshan Chakra was quite taken aback. Lord Jagannath arrived and chastised him and told that because he was proud and offended his great devotee, he will now stand next to Jagannath as a pillar. Hearing this, Chakra pleaded and begged for forgiveness. In order to pacify him, Lord Jagannath said that inside the altar he will be in the form of a pillar but he will be in his original Chakra form on the top of the temple as Nila Chakra. Lord Jagannath also granted him a boon that the Nila Chakra will be non-different from the original Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra deities and taking darshan of the Nila Chakra will be equal to taking his own darshan.
Thus, this is the importance of the Nila Chakra. This was narrated very beautifully by His Holiness and to get to know about other places in or around Puri , you can read the book Sri Ksetra Parikrama by H.H Bhakti Purusottama Swami.