Jagannath Temple Puri in Odisha is one of the four must-visit pilgrimage sites for Hindus because of Jagannath Temple that forms the part of Char Dham in India. Puri is a beach city located on the coast of Bay of Bengal which is one of the favourites among people of West Bengal for a short trip.
Having gained popularity among hippies back in the 1970s due to the legalisation of Bhang, Puri is still a popular destination among backpackers, however, the availability of bhang is now limited. With a plethora of hotels and homestays, the local tourist like to stay near the New Marine Drive and the backpackers prefer to stay near Chakra Tirtha. The Rath Yatra (chariot festival) which takes place during the month of June-July should not be missed if you are planning to visit during this time.
Known as the resting place of Lord Shiva, the majestic history and heritage of Jagannath Temple Puri date back to the 3rd century B. C. Puri, Konark and Bhubaneshwar complete the Golden Triangle of Orissa, with their religious significance and cultural heritage being the centres of tourism in this state. There are a lot of places near Puri that one must visit, like the Chilika lake, Puri beach, Gundicha Ghar and the very famous Sun temple of Konark. Puri is soon turning into an industrial hub with major manufacturing companies coming here.
Some of the architectural feats of the temple
The main temple is constructed in such a way that no shadow of the temple falls on the ground at any time of the day.
The Nilachakra – Or the Blue wheel perched on top of the temple is made of eight metals or asta dhatu. It is believed that if you see the Nilachakra it is as good as seeing the Lord himself.
The flag or the Patitapabana flows in the opposite direction of the wind and is changed every day at sunset and is changed every day. The feet of changing the flag’s rests with a family appointed by the King. They have been doing this ritual for over 800 years, climbing 165 meters, bare feet without any support.
The Mahaprasad or the offering to the Lord is prepared on fire lit by wood charcoal and rice and vegetables, cereals etc. are put in earthen pots and placed on the fire one on top of the other. The pot on the top cooks first.
The Aruna stambha- the 33 ft monolith structure pillar in front of the Singhadwar or the main entrance of the temple was originally located at the Sun Temple, Konark.
Another unique feature of the temple is that the idols of the holy trinity are carved out of wood rather than stone or metal idols. They are also the only deity with the trappings of mortality.
Festivals
There are many festivals and rituals associated with the Lord, we list a couple.
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.
Religious places of attraction in Puri
Apart from tourism attraction the prominent religious attraction at Puri is its Jagannath temple, which is built in the 12th century by the Ganga dynasty. Other prominent attractions are its all festivals. Among all celebrations Rath Yatra or Chariot festival is the most pious one. The Rath Yatra or Chariot festival, one of the much-awaited Hindu festivals, honors the Lord Jagannath’s visit along with his siblings – lord Balabhadra and deity Shubhadra – to the temple of Queen Gundicha. As many as three new splendid chariots are created for the elegant Rath Yatra Puri that believed as the journey of the Gods – Lord Jagannath and his siblings – every year.
And that’s not all about Puri. The city also witnesses a lot of vibrant festivals and fairs. Have you ever heard of the ‘Pancha Tirtha‘ bathing spots of the city? These include the Mahodadhi of the Puri Sea near Swargadwar, the Rohini Kunda, the Indradyumana Tank, the Swetaganga Tank, and the Markandeya Tank. The sea, the beach, and the aura make the land all the more welcoming.
Shree Jagannath Temple Puri
The Jagannath Puri temple was built in the 12th century by the ruler of the Ganga Dynasty. Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are the main deities that are worshipped here. “Rath-Yatra” is the most pious festival of Puri that is associated with the Rath Yatra.
Ganesh Temple
The temple that was built decades ago is dedicated to Lord Ganesha or Vinayaka. The temple is an intricate piece of art, adorned with numerous carvings and patterns.
Markandeswara Temple
Markandeswara Temple is located near Bindu Sagar, and was built in honor of Lord Shiva in the 13th century. The temple is visited by numerous devotees and travelers who pay their homage to the Lord and seek blessings.
Narendra Tank
Erected in the 15th century, Narendra Tank is located at Mauza Dandimala Sahi. This tank is a sacred place where the famous Chandana Yatra popularly known as ‘Chandana Pushkarini’ takes place.
Puri Beach
The Puri Beach is one of the best places to bask out the days of your Puri tour. The beach provides impeccable sunrise and sunset views. Moreover, one can find numerous food stalls that offer the best sea food in Puri.
Swargadwar Beach
The word Swargadwar stands for “door to heaven”. The beach is one of the most visited places in Puri that boasts serenity and the best beach experience in the city.
Best time to visit puri
Weather in Puri is highly influenced by sea as it lies on the banks of Bay of Bengal. The tropical climate of Orissa with pleasant winters, hot and humid summers and heavy rainfalls makes the period from October to April the best time to visit Puri. White Sands of Puri Beach attract lots of tourists to Puri from October to April
How to Reach Puri
Puri is located close to Bhubaneswar which has great air, road and rail connectivity. Puri itself is accessible by road and rail from most major parts of India. Here is how to reach Puri:
By Air : Biju Patnaik airport at Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport, which is nearly 56 km from the heart of the Puri city. The airport is connected to Delhi and Mumbai. International travelers need to get connections through Delhi or Kolkata.
By Train : Puri is a major railway junction. Regular direct train services are available from many cities in India, including Bhubaneswar, New Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata.
By Road : Puri is connected with the neighbouring cities through well constructed roads. Buses are considered to be the main option to travel to Puri as the bus stand in near the Gundicha Temple. Bhubaneshwar and Cuttack can be reached in 15mins by bus.