Shree Jagannath Temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Jagannath Swami. The temple is well-known for its annual chariot Rath Yatra, the third most important and largest Rath Yatra in Puri after the Rath Yatra. Jagannath Temple Hours are from 06:00 AM to 09:00 PM.
Jagannath Temple
The temple is in the Jamalpur area of Ahmedabad, in the Indian state of Gujarat. Sadhu Sarangadasji established it over 450 years ago.
The annual Rath Yatra is similar to the Rath Yatra held in Puri. According to tradition, the elephants first visit the temple, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra and lead the procession.
What is the story of Shree Jagannath Temple?
About 460 years ago, the temple was in a dense forest along the Sabarmati River in the east. Saints usually seek secluded places by the rivers, away from the hustle and bustle of cities.
One such traveller, Sadhu Sri Hanuman Das JI, visited Ahmedabad and considered this forest area suitable for his stay.
Since Rama was a devotee of Maruti, he placed an idol of his deity here, which is still worshipped today.
During his stay, some miracles attracted people from the neighbourhood, which became the basis for the place to become a modest temple. His successor was a devotee of Sadhu Sri Sarangdas JI.
He desired to visit the Temple in Puri, Orissa, and some local companions also joined him on the pilgrimage.
One night, while resting in the Dharamshala of the Puri temple, He received philosophical instructions from Jagannath to go back to Ahmedabad and erect idols of the Holy Trinity there: Jagannath along with his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. Thus, the Maruti Temple became the shrine of Sri Jagannathji.
Architecture and Construction
The temple was built during the Anangabhima Deva era, known as Anangabhima III, from the Ganga dynasty.
According to the history of the Puri temple, Anangabhimu proposed building the temple at 100 feet, following the Srivatsakhandasala architectural style.
However, it is believed that it reduced the height to 90 feet on the advice of the royal priests. Today, we see the magnificent structure it built at that time.
Temple Structure:
The main temple consists of 4 structures:
- Vimana or Badadeula sanctum sanctorum was built in a linear order arc on a Pancha Ratha (five parts or parts).
- The five pagas have specific names: Raha (one in the middle), Anuraha (two adjacent pagas), and Kanika (two corners).
- Jagmohan or Mukhashala (porch),
- Natamandir (audience hall),
- Bhogamandapam (hall for remains)
The four structures had been built in an axial arrangement facing east-west. The main part of the temple is underground, and only three intricately carved vowels are visible.
The Puri temple’s structure shows the entire Odisha temple with four vertical sections: the pita (pedestal), the bada (wall), the gandi (trunk), and the mastaka (head).
Similarly, each structure has a unique name that indicates its purpose, function, or program. Together, the structures give the temple a magnificent look. The structures mentioned above are the most important in the temple.
The temple’s outer walls have symbolic sculptures adorned with some meaning. To understand the architectural significance of the temple, one must acquire knowledge of Indian temple structures built in different dynastic eras as each dynasty followed its design.
Although it is very difficult to understand the architecture of the Jagannath Temple, the spectacular view of the temple is enough to tell of the amazing craftsmanship that ancient India possessed.
Rath Yatra
The annual Rath Yatra is similar to the Rath Yatra held in Puri. According to tradition, the elephants first visit the temple, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra and lead the procession.
The Chief Minister of Gujarat will purify Jagannath’s chariot or ‘symbolic ritual’ for the chariot, after which the procession will begin.
The Rath Yatra entourage travels about 14 km through various parts of Ahmedabad.
The Yatra stops at Saraspur, where the locals offer ‘Maha Bhoj’ to Jagannath’s entire entourage of devotees.
It is celebrated as ‘Lokotsav,’ the public festival of the state of Gujarat. Ahmedabad Rath Yatra is the third-largest Rath Yatra in Puri and Kolkata after being celebrated on the same day.
Attack on the Jagannath Temple
Edit: On September 18, 1969, a Muslim crowd gathered to celebrate the local Urs festival at the burial of a Sufi saint (Bukhari Saheb’s Chilla) in the Jamalpur area.
When the saints (Hindu holy men) of the nearby Jagannath Temple tried to bring their cows back to the temple premises through the crowded streets, some Muslim women were injured.
It was alleged that the cows also destroyed some carts selling goods by Muslims. It led to violence, with some Muslim youths attacking and injuring saints and smashing temple windows.
The mahant (priest) of the Hindu temple went to Sevadasji. He called off the protest after a 15-member Muslim delegation led by A.M.
Peerzada met him and apologized. Subsequently, however, the dargah (tomb) near the temple was vandalized by some Hindus. A large number of Muslim protesters gathered in the area.
On September 19, a mob of 2500-3000 Muslims attacked the temple again. Following this, rumours spread, and violence escalated, resulting in numerous arsons, killings and attacks on places of worship around the area.
Jagannath Temple Timings
Below are the Jagannath temple timings, darshan, and Aarthi timings.
| Darshan | Timings |
| Mangala Aarti | 06: 00 am |
| Balbhoga | 07: 00 am |
| Rajbhoga | 11: 00 am |
| Talamangal | 01: 00 am |
| Uthapanvidhi | 03: 00 am |
| Sandhya Aarati | 07: 45 am |
| Shayan Aarati | 08: 30 am |
| Shayan | 09: 00 am |
| Daily Darshan available from | 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM |
Darshan Tickets
| General Darshan | Free |
| Special Darshan | Rs 50/- |
| VIP Darshan | Rs 100 to Rs 200/- |
| Darshan (From 7.00 am to 8.00 am) | Free |
| Special Darshan (After Dhup Puja) | Rs 50/- ( At 10 AM, 1 PM and 8 PM) |
Service Tickets
The service ticket price is Rs. 500 / – to Rs. 1.5 lakhs (Service tickets depend on the type of offering given in the Service) Service (they will give any dry offering) Rs 1720 / –
Nearby Places
- Teen Darwaza
- Bhadra Fort
- Science City
- Lal Darwaja Market
- Sabarmati Baag
Festivals at the temple
- Gau Pooja
- Jal Yatra
- Rath Yatra
- Guru Purnima
- Janmashtami
- Rudra Abhishek
- Vasant Panchami
- Hindola Darshan
- Diwali
- Utrayan
- Shivratri
- Holi-Dhuleti
- Ramnavami
- Akshaya Tritiya
How to reach
Air: The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is the nearest air base, 12.2 km from the temple.
Railway: Ahmedabad Railway Station The nearest railway station is at a distance of 3.5 km.
Road: Ahmedabad is well connected with other major cities; Many private vehicles go directly to the temple.
Address
O/S Jamalpur Gate, Jamalpur,
Ahmedabad,
Gujarat, India.