Monday, October 9, 2017

Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri

Date: 25th Sep 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing: Temple closes only for few hours after mid night.

Distance: 1455 Kms one way.

Parking: Available but at a distance.

Food: Available.

Photography: Not Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Konark Sun Temple.

Shree Jagannath temple in puri is one of the most important pilgrimage site for hindus. The temple is one of the char dham, others being Badrinath, Dwarka and Rameswaram. Its said that lord Vishnu takes bath in Rameswaram , gets ready in Dwarka, meditates in Badrinath and eats in Puri. Thus the prasadham in puri is revered as mahaprasadham. The main deity is lord Krishna and he is worshiped along with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. The deity is made of wood unlike other temples where its made of either stone or metal. The temple is built in the odiya style of architecture with all four major components, deula or vimana above sanctum sanctorum, jagamohana, natya mantapa and bhoga mantapa. There are many more smaller temples within the complex. There are four entrance to the temple with singahdwara or lion gate being the main entrance. The aruna stambha from Konark sun temple is placed at this gate. Food is offered to the god six times a day. Sankudi and sukhila prasada is offered every day and later sold to devotees in ananda bazzar. Total of 56 items are prepared and offered everyday.

The most important festival in the temple is the famous ratha yatra. The three main deities are take in three wooden chariot to Gundicha temple. The idols remain in gundicha temple for nine days and comes back to the main temple. The three platforms in gundicha temple remains empty on other days. On the way back the yatra stops at mausi maa temple to offer prayers. The return journey is called bahuda jatra.

Gundicha temple, Puri.

One piece of advice for anyone visiting the temple is not to talk to any approaching priest. They will loot you in the name of pooja. Every priest here is after money. They don't force you to pay money so just ignore and keep walking. The temple was not crowded and we had a very good darshan. We had mahaprasadam prepared for lunch.

Puri beach, again a clean one just like gopalpur beach.

Part of beach accessed from panthanivas was less crowded than other side.

Photography is strictly prohibited and no electronic device is allowed inside. One can take photos from outside. 

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