Jagannath Puri is a city located in the eastern Indian state of Odisha. It is famous for the Jagannath Temple, which is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites in Hinduism. The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu, and hosts the annual Rath Yatra festival, during which the deities are taken out in a procession on chariots. The city is also known for its beaches, especially Puri Beach, which attracts many tourists.
Jagannath Puri story
There are various stories and legends associated with Jagannath Puri, but the most well-known one is the story of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Balabhadra and Subhadra. According to the legend, Lord Krishna, during his earthly life, expressed his desire to spend his last days on Earth in Puri.
The legend goes that after Lord Krishna’s death, his body was cremated and his bones were taken by his devotees to Puri, where they were enshrined as the idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra in the Jagannath Temple. The idols are made of wood and are replaced every twelve years in a ritual called Navakalevara.
Another popular story associated with Jagannath Puri is the story of the Rath Yatra, which is a procession during which the idols of the deities are taken out on chariots. It is believed that the tradition of Rath Yatra dates back to the time of Lord Krishna, who used to take his devotees on a chariot ride.
According to the legend, one day, Lord Krishna’s friend, Sudama, came to visit him, but Lord Krishna was so overwhelmed by his love for Sudama that he forgot to ask him to stay for dinner. Sudama then left, feeling disappointed. Later, Lord Krishna, realizing his mistake, decided to make it up to Sudama by taking him on a chariot ride. The tradition of Rath Yatra is believed to have originated from this incident, and it is seen as a symbol of the love and devotion between Lord Krishna and his devotees.
Puri Jagannath Temple
Puri Jagannath Temple is one of the most popular temples in India. It is located in Puri, Odisha. The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, who is believed to be a form of Lord Vishnu. The temple is one of the four important pilgrimage sites for Hindus, known as the Char Dham. It is also known as the world’s largest Hindu temple.
Jagannath temple, puri photos
Jagannath Puri Temple History
The history of Jagannath Temple in Puri dates back to the 12th century when it was built by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva. The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu, and is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites in Hinduism.
Over the centuries, the temple has undergone several renovations and expansions. The temple’s central structure, the Vimana or Bada Deula, is about 214 feet high and is made of Khondalite stone. The temple also has four entrance gates, one for each direction, and is surrounded by a wall.
One of the unique features of the Jagannath Temple is that it has no idol or image of the deities. Instead, the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are made of wood and are replaced every twelve years in a ritual called Navakalevara.
The temple is also known for its Rath Yatra festival, during which the deities are taken out in a procession on chariots. The festival is believed to have started in the 12th century and is considered one of the largest religious festivals in India.
The temple has a rich cultural and religious significance, and it attracts millions of devotees and tourists every year. The temple administration is managed by a body of priests and administrators, and the state government provides support for the temple’s maintenance and development.
Puri Jagannath Temple Timings
Puri Jagannath Temple is open for darshan from 4:00 am to 11:00 pm every day. However, the temple timings may change on festival days or special occasions.
The temple has various rituals and pujas that are performed throughout the day. Some of the main ones are:
Mangala Aarti: This is the first aarti of the day, performed at 5:30 am after the opening of the sanctum.
Sahanamela: This is a free darshan for pilgrims who can go up to the inner sanctum or Ratnavedi without paying any fees. It is held from 8:00 am to 9:00 am on most days, except on some festive days when it is held after evening puja.
Sakala Dhupa: This is the morning food offering to the deities, also known as Raja Bhoga or Kotha Bhoga. It consists of various delicacies such as Pitha Puli, Hansakeli, Kanti, Enduri, Matha Puli, Kakatua Jhili, Bundia, Kadali Bhaja, Ada Pachedi, etc. It is performed from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.
Madhyana Dhupa: This is the afternoon food offering to the deities, also known as Bhoga Mandap. It consists of a huge quantity of rice, dal, curries, cakes, etc. It is prepared for different maths and for sale to the public. It is performed from 10:30 am to 11:00 am
Sandhya Dhupa: This is the evening food offering to the deities, also known as Sandhya Aarti. It consists of various items such as Khaja, Gaja, Ladoo etc. It is performed from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Badasinghara Besha: This is the night dress of the deities, also known as Chandana Lagi. It consists of silk clothes and flower garlands. It is performed from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Badasinghara Dhupa: This is the last food offering of the day to the deities, also known as Pahili Bhoga. It consists of Pakhala (watered rice), Kadalibhaja (fried plantain), Kanji (rice gruel) etc. It is performed from 10:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Pahuda: This is the final ritual of the day when the deities are put to sleep with Puspanjali (flower offering), Muda (bed), and Sodha (cleaning). It is performed at 11:30 pm.
If you want to visit Puri Jagannath Temple, you need to follow some rules and dress codes. You need to wear a decent outfit and remove your shoes before entering the temple premises. You also need to be a Hindu as non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.
What is the mystery of Jagannath Temple?
The Jagannath Temple in Puri is shrouded in mystery and has many legends and stories associated with it. Here are some of the mysteries or interesting facts related to the temple:
- The idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are made of neem wood, which is not usually used for making idols. It is said that the wood for the idols is chosen by an aged carpenter who goes into the forest and selects it without using any tools.
- The Sudarshana Chakra, a weapon of Lord Vishnu, is placed on the top of the temple, and it can be seen from anywhere in Puri. The mystery surrounding the Sudarshana Chakra is that it can only be seen from one side. No matter from which direction you view the temple, the Chakra appears to be facing you.
- The temple kitchen is known to be the largest kitchen in the world, where food is cooked for thousands of devotees every day. The mystery surrounding the kitchen is that the food is cooked in pots that are stacked one on top of the other, and the food at the bottom gets cooked first, while the food at the top gets cooked last.
- The temple is also known for its secret chambers or bhandaaras, which are said to contain treasures and artifacts worth billions of rupees. Some of these chambers are said to have never been opened, and their contents remain a mystery.
Puri station to Jagannath temple distance
The distance between Puri Station and Jagannath Temple is 3.33 km. The best way to get from Puri Station to Jagannath Temple is to take a taxi which takes 2 minutes and costs ₹80 – ₹100. You can also walk from Puri Station to Jagannath Temple which takes 25 minutes.
Jagannath Puri nearest airport
Jagannath Puri does not have an airport, but the nearest airport is Bhubaneswar Airport located 65 km away. Bhubaneswar Airport is well-connected with Kolkata, Delhi, Vishakapatnam, Raipur, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and major Indan Cities.
Jagannath Puri nearest railway station
The nearest railway station to Jagannath Puri is Puri Railway Station, located just 3.33 km from the Jagannath Temple. Puri Railway Station is a busy station handling around 92 trains daily and serving about 138,000 passengers. It has direct express and superfast trains to Mumbai, Kolkata, Okha, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Tirupati, and other cities. Some of the major trains are Jagannath Express, Kolkata (Howrah) Puri Howrah Express, and Purushottam Express.
Another railway station near Jagannath Puri is Khurda Road Junction & Bhubaneswar Railway Station, which is 44 km from Khurda road to Puri and 65 km from Bhubaneswar Railway Station to puri.
Best time to visit jagannath puri
The best time to visit Jagannath Puri is between August and February when the weather is pleasant and the temperature ranges between 16°C and 28°C. This is a good time to enjoy the beach and visit temples.
The summer season from March to May is not a very good time to visit Jagannath Puri as the weather is very hot and humid with temperatures reaching up to 45°C.
The monsoon season from June to July is also not very favorable as Puri receives heavy rainfall and thunderstorms which may cause inconvenience for travelers.
Jagannath Puri nearby places to visit
There are many places to visit near Jagannath Puri that are worth exploring. Some of them are
- Jagannath Temple
- Narendra Tank
- Mausima Temple
- Gundicha Temple
- Lokanath Mandir
- Mata Matha
- Puri Golden Beach
- Sudarshan Craft Museum
- Kaktpur Mangala Temple
- Konark sun temple
- Konark Museum
- Chandrabhaga Beach
- Ramachandi Temple & Beach (Boating)
- Swargadwar Beach Craft Market
- Sankaracharya Matha, Balihar Chandi (Optional)
- Bramhagiri Temple
- Chilika Lake & Sanctuary
- Satapada Dolphin Site
- Siruli Mahavir
- Chilka Bird Sanctuary
- Barkul
- Narayani
- Dhauligiri
- Linngaraj Temple
- Rajarani Temple
- Ram Mandir
- Udaygiri & Khandagiri Caves
- Nandan Kanan Zoo
- Bhubaneswar Museum.
Things to do in Jagannath Puri
There are many things to do in Jagannath Puri that can make your trip memorable and enjoyable.
Visit the Lord Jagannath Temple: This is the main attraction of Puri and one of the most revered temples in India. It is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, who is a form of Lord Vishnu, and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra. The temple has unique architecture and rituals that attract millions of pilgrims every year.
Enjoy the Puri Beach: This is one of the most popular beaches in Odisha and attracts many tourists and pilgrims. It offers a scenic view of the Bay of Bengal and has many activities such as camel rides, surfing, sand art etc. You can also watch the sunrise and sunset from the beach and relax on the golden sand.
Explore the Konark Sun Temple: This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a marvel of ancient architecture. It is located near Konark Beach and is dedicated to the Sun God. It has a magnificent stone chariot with twelve wheels and seven horses that symbolize the movement of the sun across the sky. It also has intricate carvings and sculptures that depict various aspects of life and culture.
Visit the Sudarshan Craft Museum: This is a museum that showcases the art and craft of Odisha, especially the wooden carvings of Lord Jagannath and his siblings. It also has a workshop, a library, and a Buddhist temple. You can learn about the history and techniques of wood carving and buy some souvenirs from the museum shop.
See the Sakshigopal Temple: This is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and his consort Radha. It is located 20 km from Puri and has a legend associated with it. It is believed that Lord Krishna appeared here as a witness (sakshi) to fulfill the promise of a poor Brahmin boy who married a rich girl.
Experience the Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary: This is a wildlife sanctuary that covers the Chilika Lake, which is the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia. It is home to many migratory birds, dolphins, turtles, crabs, and fish species. It also has many islands and temples to visit. You can take a boat ride on the lake and spot some rare wildlife.
Golden Beach Puri: A clean and beautiful beach with golden sand and clear water. It is also known as Swargadwar Beach and is considered a sacred place for Hindus.
Puri Light House: A landmark that offers a panoramic view of the sea and the city. It is also a good spot for watching the sunrise and sunset.
Konark Beach: A scenic beach that is famous for its proximity to the Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also a good place for swimming and surfing.
Boat Tours & Water Sports: You can enjoy boat tours, stand-up paddleboarding, dolphin and whale watching, river rafting, and tubing at various places near Puri.
Kayaking: You can also try kayaking, which is a fun and easy way to explore the water. One of the best places to try kayaking near Puri is Palolem Beach, which is about 100 km away. You can also find kayaking options at Dona Paula and Hollant Beach.
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling: If you want to experience the underwater world, you can also go for scuba diving and snorkeling near Puri. You can find some of the best diving sites at Netrani Island, which is about 200 km away from Puri. You can also try snorkeling at Tarkarli Beach, which is about 150 km away.
Overall, the Jagannath Temple in Puri is a place of great cultural and religious significance, and its mysteries and legends only add to its charm and allure.
