Jagannath Temple: Lord of the Universe

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.

Jagannath Temple: Lord of the Universe

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 ]

Related Post:
Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi 
Khajuraho Temples in Madhya Pradesh
Golden Temple in Amritsar
Somnath Temple in Gujarat 
Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai
Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand
Sun Temple in Konark
Mahabodhi Temple in BodhGaya 
Top 10 Temples of India 
Top 10 Heritage Caves Temples in India 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Antyodaya Express to start from Bikaner to Bilaspur

Image
A weekly train named Antyodaya Express was started from Bikaner to Bilaspur. The train runs without reservation and was flagged off by Mr. Rajen Gohain, the union minister of state for Railways, from Bikaner Station at 1:00 PM. Train number 14719, Bikaner-Bilaspur Antyodaya Express will run from Bikaner on July 18 and will continue to run on every Wednesday. On the other hand, train number 14720 will continue to run on every Sunday from Bilaspur upon its start-off after July 20. The train features a total of 18 LHB coaches including 16 General Category coaches and 2 Generator coaches. Also, the Bikaner-Bilaspur Antyodaya Express covers a distance of 1498 km in 38 hours. This will help people with easy traveling amidst various comforts. Earlier also, people were benefitted with the services of Antyodaya Express when it first began to run on March 4, 2017. The train was flagged off by Suresh Prabhu, the former Minister of Railways and runs between Ernakulam Junction and How
Read more

Top 10 Summer Festivals in India That You Should Not Miss

Image
India is known to be the land of festivals. And, when summers arrive, they bring along summer vacations. Thus, it is not only about scorching heat but also about happy faces. Summer festivals in India add a fun charter to everyone�s life. Folk dance, music, interesting rituals and people clad in colorful attires light up the groggy atmosphere. Such fairs and festivals offer a sneak-peak into the vibrant culture and heritage of the country. Here is the list of popular summer festival in India: 1. Gangaur � A flamboyant celebration One of the most important festivals in Rajasthan, Gangaur is celebrated all around the state but mainly in the �Pink City�, Jaipur. It is also celebrated in some parts of West Bengal, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. The festival starts on the day, after Holi and continue for around 18 days. During the festival, married women dress-up in best of their clothes, and worship Goddess Gauri (Parvati), the spouse of Lord Shiva, for a happy married life. Married ladies
Read more

Kashi Vishwanath Temple: Manifestations of Shiva

Image
The oldest and the holiest place among the Hindus, Varanasi, along the banks of the sacred Ganga is also considered as the cultural city in India. The river bank is dotted with numerous temples and shrines of several gods and goddesses. According to the Rigvedas, Varanasi is the favorite city of Lord Shiva. So in his high reverence, the Kashi Vishwanath temple stands in its splendor. It holds one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and attracts a large number of pilgrims to the site. The architecture of the temple is noteworthy and is also known as the Golden Temple, because of the gold used in the making of the tall spire and the dome. All devoted Hindus aspire to visit this site once before they die, for they believe that liberation from worldly thing can be achieved here. [Also Check out the 12 Jyotirlingas Tour Package ] Location: Along the western banks of holy river Ganga, lies the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh State, India. It is located 5 km away from the
Read more