Puri Jagannath Temple: A Complete Guide
Odisha is rich with a lot of temples and natural wonders that mark the culture of India. One of those most precious temples is Puri Jagannath Temple. The specialty of puri jagannath temple cannot be described in a single line or phrase . This temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath who is believed to be the rebirth or reincarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is one of the greatest Gods of Hinduism and is worshipped by Hindus throughout with great respect and honor.
The magnificent architecture of shree jagannath temple mesmerizes thousands of devotees of Lord Vishnu in the Rath Yatra held every year. In this Yatra, not only Lord Vishnu but his elder brother Balabhadra and his sister Subhadra are also carried and paraded throughout the streets of Puri ceremoniously. Many tourists particularly choose this time and book their hotels near jagannath temple puri beforehand to attend this ceremony.
Historical and Architectural Highlights of Puri Jagannath Temple –
The Puri Jagannath Temple is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites in India. Other three sites are Badrinath, Dwarka, and Rameshwaram. The Puri temple was rebuilt by the Ganga dynasty’s King Anantavraman Chodaganga in the 12th century CE, as suggested by the Kendupatna copper-plate inscription of his descendent Narasimhadeva II. This temple complex was further developed during the reins of the subsequent kings, including those of the Ganga dynasty and the Gajapati dynasty.
As far as the architecture is concerned, Jagannath Temple is one of the most refined pieces of Kalingan Architecture. The temple stands in the center of the inner courtyard on a high-raised platform, It has 4 components:
- Vimana or Deula (Garbhgruha),
- Jagamohana,
- Natamandapa, and
- Bhogmandapa
The architectural style of the Jagannath Temple is of 2 types – Rekha and Pidha. Vimana (as mentioned above) is built in the Nagara style Rekha Deula and Jagamohana is in the Pidh Deula style.
Among all the temples in Puri, the main temple is commonly known as Vimana or deula and is built in the framework of Nagara Sthaptya as a Rekha deula characterized by a curvilinear tower known as shikhar.
The crowning at the top is the ‘Neelachakra’ (an 8-spoked wheel) of Lord Vishnu. It is made of Ashtadhatu and is considered sacrosanct. Both the Vimana (sanctuary) and the porch (Jagamohana) are divided into 5 main principles. Also, the controversial and most debated puri jagannath temple ratna bhandar was recently opened in January 2024 & gold and silver articles were taken into custody.
Mysteries of Puri Jagannath Temple –
Puri Jagannath Temple is not only spiritual but also mysterious. It holds many unsolved mysteries that amaze people even today.
Some of such mind-boggling mysteries are:
- Temple Shades no Shadow –
Whether it is early in the morning, in the afternoon, or even in the evening, the temple doesn’t cast any shadow at all. This is surely very mysterious because of the scientific fact that every being on the Earth, whether living or non-living casts its shadow in light.
- The Sky above the Temple is completely Clear –
Another mystery is that it is observed by numerous previous visitors that no plane or even a bird can fly on top of the temple. This is believed to be miraculous due to some spiritual intervention and divine powers circulating above the temple.
- Miraculous Properties of the Mahaprasad –
The Mahaprasad served to the devotees and visitors of the temple is said to have some miraculous or special properties. That food is believed to be blessed because it is first served to the deities and then the visitors.
- Sound Waves can’t be Heard inside the Temple –
Another strong belief or mystery is that the sound of water waves from the beach water is not at all heard as soon as you enter the temple. It is believed that the temple is soundproof to these wave sounds to fulfill the wish made by Goddess Subhadra.
Considering the above miracles and mysteries taking place in the Puri Jagannath Temple, it is quite uncomplicated to conclude that divine powers surround this temple and the people visiting here with full devotion.
Timings and Darshan Information of Puri Jagannath Temple –
The temple follows the strict protocol concerning the entries in the temple. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple and foreigners & other religions like Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists are not permitted to enter the temple. Such a rule is believed to have existed ever since the temple was built, and at present, it often becomes the subject of controversy & debates that have lasted for several decades.
Another longstanding debate is about the foreigners, who want to meet Gajapati servitors and the Shankaracharya, can be allowed to witness Jagannatha, but the theory has not worked yet. The jagannath temple timings are from 5 am to 10.30 pm. Also, the puri jagannath temple opening and closing are strictly followed and governed by the temple administration.
This is to carry out the other routine rituals of the deities as that is the major reason why the temple was built. The devotees are required to have puri jagannath darshan in the stipulated hours only.
Key Attractions Inside and Around the Puri Jagannath Temple –
The idols of the deities at Puri Jagannath Temple are carved from neem wood. These idols are printed every week and replaced every 12-19 years, based on the luni-solar Hindu calendar during nabakalebara. The jagannath temple idol is one of the most talked about things in the temple for sure.
Jagannath temple also hosts the world’s largest open-air food market within the temple complex. This has been the center of attraction for tourists and devotees as one can taste several food items here. The daily food offerings are made to the deities 6 times a day.
Food offerings in the morning are called Gopala Vallabha Bhog and the one given at 10 am is called Sakala Dhupa, which consists of 13 items. Bada Sankhudi Bhog is the next offering consisting of Pakhala with curd and Kanji payas. The offering is made in the Bhoga Mandapa and called Chatra Bhog, which was introduced by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century to help pilgrims share the temple food in the form of Mahaprasad.
Travel Information and Accessibility of Puri Jagannath Temple –
The devotees, who want to visit Puri Jagannath Temple, must get the required information well ahead of time. If the puri to jagannath temple distance is analyzed, then it is hardly 3 kilometers. So, it is advisable to get off the station and hire an auto-rickshaw to reach the temple.
Puri Jagannath Temple can be visited any time around the year but the best time to visit is October to March. This is because during this period, the climate of Puri is very pleasant and the temperature is between 15-20°C. The period of Ratha Yatra (from July to August) is also ideal to visit Puri.
Tourists can reach Puri by road, rail, or air as the connectivity is good and year-round. Also, tourists can find suitable accommodation in Puri as there are plenty of options available. Devotees can opt for the bhakt niwas puri online booking facility via the official website, so they can choose luxury accommodation & stay close to the temple for easy and early access to the temple around the first pooja time.
Hotels Near Puri Jagannath Temple –
There exist several hotels near Jagannath Temple Puri with different options. Tourists can choose luxury to budget hotels in dharamshala in puri. Some of the best hotels near jagannath temple puri are listed below:
- Hotel Home Town neat Temple and Golden Beach
- P. Palace
- Goroomgo Patitapaban Residency near temple
- Goroomgo Laxmi Narayan Puri
- Hotel Beach Heaven near sea beach
- Hotel Puri Greens
- Goroomgo Sashi near Golden Beach Puri
- Hotel VIP Prime
Similarly, there exist many other budget-friendly and luxury hotels in addition to dharamshala in Puri where tourists can stay and dine after a tired day of traveling and sightseeing.
Festivals and Events taking place in Puri Jagannath Temple –
Old Sanskrit texts, right from Brahma and Skanda Purana onwards, contain prescriptions about the observance of 12 festivals in the Jagannath Temple throughout the year. These 12 festivals are popularly called ‘Dvadasha Yatras’.
These 12 festivals are mentioned below:
- Snana Yatra, also called the Bathing Festival
- Ratha Yatra,
- Sayana Yatra,
- Dakshinayana,
- Parshwa Parivartana,
- Deva Utthapana,
- Pravarana Sashti,
- Pushyavisheka,
- Makar Sankranti,
- Dola Yatra,
- Damanaka Chaturdashi,
- Akshaya Trutiya and Chandana Yatra, and
- Neeladri Mahodaya.
Apart from the above main festivals, a lot of other festivals and ceremonies are held at the temple throughout the year. Festivals at the temple draw huge crowds not only from Odisha but also from other states in India. The festivals are, no doubt, occasions of great religious experience and devotional fervor.
Why Jagannath Temple, Puri?
Puri Jagannath Temple in Odisha, India is a significant Hindu pilgrimage site and a monument to India’s spiritual heritage. The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, who is considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and also honors his brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra. This temple is the focal point for religious tourism, attracting Hindu devotees from around the world.
Puri Jagannath’s temple of Kalinga-style architecture is a prime example of Odisha’s rich architectural designs and heritage. This temple has withstood many invasions over the years, and its traditions & beliefs continue to be celebrated for sure. Undoubtedly, this temple is a living example of India’s rich spiritual legacy and the tenacity of its people. Also, the Ratha Yatra festival of this temple is a stunning spectacle that features massive chariot processions carrying the deities.
Frequently Asked Questions –
1.What are the deities worshipped at Puri Jagannath Temple?
The Puri Jagannath Temple worships Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhdra, Lord Subhadra, Chakra Sudarshan, Bhudebi, Sridevi, and Madhaba.
2. What is the best time to visit the Puri Jagannath Temple?
According to the experience of the previous tourists, the best time to visit the temple is from October to March. This is when the weather is comfortable for sightseeing and one of the best times of the year for visit of all tourists for sure.
3. Can one view the deities inside the Puri Jagannath Temple?
No, the deities are kept in the inner sanctum, which is not accessible to visitors. However, visitors can see the deities from a distance and store their beauty in their eyes.
4. When is the Ratha Yatra festival held in Puri Jagannath Temple?
The Ratha Yatra festival is held in the Puri Jagannath Temple during the bright fortnight of the months of Asadha.
5. How can tourists reach the Puri Jagannath Temple?
Puri is well connected by road, rail, and air. The nearest railway station is Puri and the nearest airport is Bhubaneshwar.
Conclusion –
To conclude, the Puri Jagannath Temple is one of the most revered Vaishnava sites of worship in India. One of the oldest Hindu temples to still be in use, its main shrine was built by Anantavraman of the Chodganga dynasty in the 10th century. Embarking on a journey to understand the rich culture and history of this temple will surely be a pleasure for you and a trip worth remembering lifelong.
