The world-famous Puri Jagannath Temple is also called Shree Mandir. Its location is in the Puri district of Odisha, India. The name of the city where this temple is located is also Puri. The idols of Shree Jagannath, Shree Balbhadra, Devi Subhadra and Sudarshan Chakra four gods are worshipped in this temple. Although the city of Puri is so close to the sea, the underground water here is fresh and pure. The temple was declared a national monument in 1975.
History
King Anangbarma Chodganga Dev of the Ganga dynasty started the construction of the Shree Jagannath temple in the 12th century. The height of that temple is 214 feet 8 inches. And Anang Bhimdev completed this task and established the Idols. Gajapati Kapilendra Dev built the Meghanad wall around the temple in 1452 AD.
The temple is situated in an area of about 10 acres. The Meghnad wall around the temple is 665 feet long and 640 feet wide, 22 feet high and 20 to 24 feet high in some places. After Meghanad wall, Kurma Bedha is situated. Its length is 420 feet, width is 350 feet and height is 20 feet.
Details about Puri Jagannath Temple
Main Temple
The main temple is built in the Pancharatha style. There is a “Meghanad Pacheri (wall)” around the Temple. There is another wall called the “Kurma Pacheri (Wall)” inside the Meghnad wall. “Kurma Bedha” in the middle of Kurma Pacheri (Kurma Wall). Inside Kurma Bedha the main Jagannath Temple is situated. The Jagannath Temple Puri is divided into four parts:
- Bimana or Garvagruha(main temple)
- Jagamohan or Mukhasala
- Natamandap
- Bhogamandap
The size of the Garvagruha (main temple) of the temple is 30 feet in length and width and 48 feet in height.
Ratna Singhasana
The Ratna Singhasana is of dimensions 16 feet in length, 13 feet in width and 4 feet in height. Ratna Singhasana also called Jagati or Ratna Bedi, where Shree Jagannath, Shree Balabhadra, Maa Subhadra and Sudarshan Chakra are worshipped. A total of 8 Gods are placed here, such as Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, Sudarshan, Nila Madhaba Darumurti, Madan Mohan (eight metal statue), Shreedevi ( gold statue of goddess Laxmi), Bhudevi ( silver statue of goddess Saraswati).
Aruna Stambha & Garuda Stambha
The Jagmohan of the temple has a Garuda Stambha (pillar) which is 10 feet high. In front of the Singhadwara (Lion Gate) of the Jagannath temple. There is a 33 feet 8 inches high Arun Stambha (pillar). During the reign of Dibyasingha Deva II in the 18th century, the Aruna Stambha was brought from the Konark Sun Temple and installed here.
Shree Jagannath Rosaghara (kitchen)
According to Swattalipi, there are 240 Chula (hearths) in the Lord Jagannath Rosaghara (Kitchen) of the Shree Mandir (Jagannath temple). Many Bhoga (offerings) are made to the Shree Vigraha (the deities) enshrined in the temple. Two of the major offerings are Ballava Bhoga and Sakala Dhupa (morning worship).
1. Ballava Bhoga
In this Bhoga (offerings), Paga Khai (a recipe on rice), ripe banana, curd, Sara, Khua, Manda, guava, coconut husk, orange, Sepata, cucumber etc. are offered.
2. Sakala Dhupa
The Sakala Dhupa consist of Sadha Anna (plain rice), Muga Khechudi, Ghia Anna, Dali, Dalma, Saga, Besara, Bhaja, Mahura, Khata, and many types of Pithha are offered.
According to the tradition of the temple, Desi Alu (native potatoes), Kakharu (pumpkin), Kancha Kadali (raw banana), Panasa, Mula (radish), Potala, Shimba, Kankada, Jahni, Baigana (brinjal), Saru, Kandamula, Ada (ginger), Dhania Patra (coriander), Nadia (coconut) etc. are used in curries. Except for Koshala, Leutia and Augusti, no other vegetables are used in the food.
No oil is used in the preparation of Bhoga, only ghee is used. Jira (cumin), Dhania (coriander), Dalchini (cinnamon), Bada Aleicha, Heng, Panmadhuri, Sarisa (mustard) etc. are used in the preparation of various Vhoga (offerings).
Baisipahacha
According to legend, there was a king named Bhanudeva. He also had great fame as a king. But He was childless. Satisfied with the king’s prayers and penance, Lord Jambeshwar gave the king a son. When the king made his son’s Jataka ( Astrological certificate), he found out that his son’s life expectancy was only 22 years. After learning about his son’s short life, the king again worshipped Lord Jambeshwar. Lord Jambeshwar ordered the king to build Baisipahacha (22 steps) in Shree Jagannath Temple. The king built these Baisipahacha (22 steps) on the order of Lord Jambeswar to increase the life span of his child. That’s why devotees roll their children Baisipahacha (22 steps) to increase their lifespan.
Side Deities of Puri Jagannath Temple
At the inner of the Meghanada wall, there are many temples. At the beginning of climbing the twenty-two steps, you will find the Srikashi Vishwanath Temple and the Sri Ramachandra Temple. Agnniswar Mahadev temple falls on the left side. In front of it, Bhoga mandap then falls, Bhandara Lokanatha, Shree Durga, Puspanjali Temple, Ratnnabhandar God, Sayana God, Jayabijaya, Jagamohan, Bramha, Mahadev, Bhogamandap Ganesh, Bata Balabhadra, Indrani.
Continuing on left you to see Patitapana, Baraha, Nisa Nrushingha, Balibamana, Paduka Nala Ganesha, Radhakrishna, Pataleswar, Hayagriba Tandabeswar, Ramachandra, Idayapur, Dadhibamana, Konark Sun Temple, Bardhhamana, Radhabalhaba, Nabagraha, Maa Laxmi Temple, Bedha Kali, Nilamadhaba, Saraswati, Bhubaneswari, Sasthi, Sabitri, Gayatri, Sakhigopal, Khirachora Gopinatha, Sukinda Gopinatha, Benu Madhaba, Kalabhusandhi, Shree Bimala, Chandra Narayana, Goloka Bihari, Hanuman, Sadha Gouranga, Rosaghara, Barabhai Mahavir, Utarayani, Sitali, Jhadeswari, Baikunthanatha, Durga Madhaba, Gokarneswar Mahadev, Suna Kua (gold well), Tulasibana, Nirmalya Khala, Koili Baikuntha, Deba Smasana, Ananda Bazar, Deba Snana Mandap.
Location of Puri Jagannath Temple
How to Reach:
By Air
Nearest Airport is Biju Pattnaik International Air Port at Bhubaneswar. Which is 64 Km.
By Train
Nearest Railway Station is Puri Railway Station at Puri. Which is 3 Km.
By Road
Regular Mo Bus, Private Bus, Taxi and Auto Services are available from Bhubaneswar, Puri, Konark and Kakatpur.
Jagannath Temple: Gallery
Outside Attractions of Jagannath Temple Puri
There are many Famous Temples and Attractions surrounding Jagannath Temple Puri. These are (1). Shree Jagannath Temple, (2). Shree Gundicha Temple, (3). Shree Lokanatha Temple, (4). Pancha Tirtha ( Indradumna Pond, Markanda Pond, Mahodadhi, Sweta Ganga and Rohini Kundha), (5). Swargadwara, (6). Tota Gopinatha, (7). Sidha Bakula, (8). Dariya Mahavir, (9). Sunara Gouranga and Chakra Tirtha, (10). Puri sea beach, (11). Narendra Pond, (12). Manikarnika Pond, (13). Sidha Mahavir, (14). Gurnarabanta, (15). Syamakali and Astasambhu, (16). Ketaki Jhari, (17). Parvati Pond, (18). Atharanala Bridge, (19). Kabira Matha Well,
(20). Bata Mangala, (21). Sakhigopal, (22). Alara Matha, (23). Harachandi, (24). Maa Ramachandi Temple, (25). Siruli Mahavir, (26). Konark, (27). Pipili, (28). Balighai, (29). Jagannath Ballava Matha, (30). Kurma Pond, (31). Labanikhia Matha, (32). Chari Ashram, (33). Dakhinakali temple, (34). Narayani Temple, (35). Alam Chandi, (36). Dolabedi, (37). Jhadu Matha, (38). Sankaracharya Matha, (39). Amara Matha, (40). Shree Naara (Gajapati Palace), (41). Gaudiya Matha, (42). Tatia Matha, (43). Raghava Das Matha, (44). Shree Rama Das Matha, (45). Punjabi Matha and many other places.
