Puri Sri Jagannath Temple- Odisha

Address

Puri Sri Jagannath Temple, Grand Rd, At post, Puri, Odisha 752001

Deity

Sri Jagannath (Krishna)

Introduction

The Jagannath Temple holds significant reverence as a sacred site dedicated to Jagannath, a manifestation of Lord Krishna, situated in Puri, Odisha, along India’s eastern coastline. Initially erected in the 10th century, the temple underwent reconstruction over time, initiated by Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, the inaugural ruler of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. Renowned for its annual Ratha Yatra, or chariot festival, the Puri temple witnesses the grand procession of the principal deities on lavishly adorned temple chariots. Diverging from the conventional stone and metal idols seen in Hindu shrines, the Jagannath deity is crafted from wood, ceremonially substituted every twelve or nineteen years with an exact replica. As one of the Char Dham pilgrimage destinations, it holds immense spiritual significance.

Puranic Significance

The temple was built by the Ganga dynasty king Anantavarman Chodaganga in the 12th century CE, as suggested by the Kendupatna copper-plate inscription of his descendant Narasimhadeva II. The Skanda-Purana, Brahma Purana, and other texts narrate that the original deity, Lord Neela Madhaba, was worshipped by a tribal king named Viswavasu. King Indradyumna’s quest to locate the deity led to his marriage to Viswavasu’s daughter, Lalita, and eventually, the discovery of the hidden deity in a cave. Upon receiving divine instructions, King Indradyumna constructed the temple and installed the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, and Sudarshana Chakra.

Special Features

The Jagannath Temple holds sacred significance for Hindus, particularly those of the Vaishnava tradition. The temple complex encompasses various mandapas and halls for religious gatherings, including the prominent Mukti Mandapa. Within the inner sanctum, statues of the triad deities and other divine figures are carved from sacred neem logs. Enclosed within a fortified wall known as Meghanada Pacheri, the expansive temple complex spans over 400,000 square feet, serving as a spiritual sanctuary for devotees.

Festivals

Devasnana Purnima – the annual bathing ritual, where the holy trinity has brought out from their sanctum on seated in a raised platform and bathed with purified water drawn from a well within the temple premises. Chariot Festival – This happens during the month of June/July. During the festival, the Lord comes out to the street to greet his devotees, people irrespective of caste, creed & colour can seek his blessings.