One of the biggest and most popular temples of Odisha, The Jagannath Temple is set in the beautiful city Puri. This sacred Hindu Temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath. The Jagannath temple is one among the most important pilgrimage destinations for most of the Hindus. The temple is one of the holiest Hindu Char Dham (four divine sites) sites.
The temple features alluring architecture which takes every visitor back to the classical era. One can find detailed carvings on the walls of the temple. The pillars depict Lord Krishna’s life in detail which is why the temple attracts worshippers of Lord Krishna from different corners of the world.
The temple witnesses millions of devotees throng throughout the year to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath. During the time of the Rath Yatra, chariots carrying the idols of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra are taken to the Gundicha Temple and brought back to the Jagannath Temple. People from all across the globe visit the temple to be a part of this grand festival.
The temple features alluring architecture which takes every visitor back to the classical era. One can find detailed carvings on the walls of the temple. The pillars depict Lord Krishna’s life in detail which is why the temple attracts worshippers of Lord Krishna from different corners of the world.
The temple witnesses millions of devotees throng throughout the year to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath. During the time of the Rath Yatra, chariots carrying the idols of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra are taken to the Gundicha Temple and brought back to the Jagannath Temple. People from all across the globe visit the temple to be a part of this grand festival.
Jagannath Temple: Location
The Jagannath Temple is located on the eastern coast of India in Puri in the state of Odisha. The temple is set at a distance of 60 km from Bhubaneswar which is located on the coast of Bay of Bengal.Who built it Jagannath Temple?
The creator of Eastern Ganga dynasty, King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva erected this temple during the 12th century.
Best time to visit Jagannath Temple
The best time to visit
the Jagannath Temple is from the month of June to March when the
weather remains cool and pleasant. Also, during the month of July, the
world famous Rath Yatra is celebrated on a grand scale. People from all
over the world visit the temple during this time to be a part of the
Rath Yatra. Many more festivals of the region are celebrated during this
time of the year.
How to reach in Jagannath Temple
By Air
Biju Patnaik airport at Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport to Jagannath Temple which is located at a distance of 59 km. The airport is well-connected to major cities of the country like Delhi and Mumbai. International travelers can also easily connect to the temple via Delhi or Kolkata. From the temple, tourists can take buses or taxis to reach the temple.
By Train
The nearest railway head to the Jagannath Temple is Puri. Puri is a major railway junction which is connected to different parts of the country. With regular direct train services from different cities of India like Bhubaneswar, New Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata, tourists can easily reach Puri. On reaching the railway station, tourists can hire taxis for reaching the temple.
By Road
Via road, Puri is well-connected to major cities of the country. State and private buses operate between Puri and other regions of the country on regular basis.
Interesting Facts
Here are some interesting facts about Puri Jagannath Temple:
- There is a Sudarshan Charka at the top of the temple. If you look at the chakra from any place in Puri, you will always find the chakra facing you.
- The shadow of the main dome of the temple can never be seen, be it at any time of the day.
- The present day structure of Sri Jagannath Temple is not the original structure. Originally, the structure was constructed by Indradyumna. Later, changes were made by the Kings and rulers in subsequent times. They added different assets to the temple complex.
[ Read More about South India Temple Tour ]
More about the temple
- There are a number of temples inside the temple complex. Major shrines include The Vimala Temple, Mahalaxmi Temple, Kanchi Ganesh Temple and Saraswati Temple.
- On the top of the temple, one can find the Nila Chakra. Everyday a different flag is waved on the Nila Chakra. The flag is considered equal to the deities who are present in the temple complex.
- The temple remains open from 5 am in the morning till 12 in the midnight. Abakasha puja is performed from 7 am to 8 am in the morning.
- The temple complex covers an area of around 400,000 square feet (37,000 m2). It is surrounded by a high wall.
- There are many entry gates in the temple complex. Singhadwara is the main entrance gate to the temple. There are three more gates facing north, west and south. They are named according to the animals guarding them.
[ Read More About Jagannath Temple in Puri ]
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