Legendary account as
found in the Skanda-Purana, Brahma Purana
and other Puranas state that Lord Jagannath
was originally worshipped as Neela madhab
by a saver king(tribal chief) named Viswavasu.
Having heard about the Deity, King Indradyumna
sent a brahmin priest, Vidyapati to locate
the Deity, who was worshipped secretely in
a dense forest by Viswavasu. Vidyapati tried
his best but could not locate the place. But
at last he managed to marry Viswavasu’s
daughter Lalita. At repeated request of Vidyapati,
Viswavasu took his son-in-law blindfolded
to a cave where Neelamadhab was worshipped.
Vidyapati was very intelligent. He dropped
mustard seeds on the way. The seeds germinated
after a few days,which enabled him to find
out the cave later on. On hearing from him,
King Indradyumna proceeded immediately to
Odra desha (Orissa) on a pilrgimage to see
and worship the Deity. The king was disappointed
at the sudden disappearance of the Deity.
The Deity was hidden in sand. The king was
determined not to return without having darshan
of the Deity and observed fast unto death
at Mount Neela, when a celestial voice cried
'thou shalt see him'. Afterwards the king
performed a horse sacrifice and built a magnificient
temple for Vishnu. Narasinmha Murti brought
by Narada was installed in the temple. During
sleep, the king had a vision of Lord Jagannath.
Also anastral voice directed him to receive
the fragrant tree on the seashore and make
idols out of it. Accordingly the king got
Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Chakra
Sudarshan made and installed them in the temple.