The Heaven of the Cuckoo
Located in the northwestern corner of the inner temple complex, Koili Baikuntha translates to "The Heaven of the Cuckoo." According to legend, Lord Krishna appeared as a cuckoo bird here to bestow grace upon devotees.
The Graveyard of the Gods
While it is a beautiful garden, Koili Baikuntha serves a deeply profound and somber purpose: it is the designated burial ground for the deities.
"Unlike traditional Hindu practices where the dead are cremated, the wooden deities of Lord Jagannath are buried underground in this garden during the Nabakalebara festival."
The Daitapatis (tribal servitors) who act as the blood relatives of the Lord, carry the old wooden bodies to Koili Baikuntha in the dead of night. They observe a traditional 13-day mourning period, complete with shaving their heads and eating simple food, just as one would for a deceased family member. It is a powerful testament to the human-like relationship between the Lord and His devotees.