Puri Jagannath Temple

Jagannath Puri Temple, Proud of India, has built by King Indradyumna in the 11th century in the holy city of Puri. This majestic temple is the abode of Jagannath in the form of Vishnu. The Puri Jagannath Temple timings are from 6 am to 9 pm.

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1 Puri Jagannath Temple

It is one of the most venerable pilgrimages for Hindus and had included in the sacred Char Dham Yatra, including Badrinath, Dwarka, and Rameshwaram. Apart from the high main temple, many small temples in the complex make you feel like you have entered the house of God.

The four gates had beautifully designed with intricate carvings. The remarkable mahaprasadam of the temple is something you should not miss.

One of the largest kitchens in India, lip-smacking food has cooked in thousands of earthen pots daily and served to devotees. The influential religious festivals of the town attract a large number of tourists.

The most eagerly celebrated rath yatra of them had very much awaited. The colourful atmosphere of the pilgrims, interesting customs, and excitement are worth seeing. Whether it is purity, delicious food, serenity or curiosity about God, Jagannath Puri Temple seems to be ticking all the boxes and, therefore, a place to add to your bucket list.

History of Jagannath Puri Temple

The history of Jagannath Puri Temple is a fascinating story. Jagannath had secretly worshipped a king named Vishwavasu as Neela Madhabaga in a forest.

King Indradyumna, curious about the deity, sent a Brahmin priest named Vidyapati to Vishwavas. All the efforts made by the educator to find that place were in vain.

However, he fell in love with his faithful daughter Lalit and married her. Then, at the educator’s request, the believer blindfolded his son-in-law and took him to the cave where he worshipped Jagannath. The innovative educator dropped the mustard on the ground on the way.

After this, King Indradyumna went to Odisha to visit the goddess. However, he did not find the statue there. Although he has disappointed, he decides to see the statue of Jagannath.

Suddenly a voice told him to build a temple on the blue stone. Later, the king ordered his men to create a beautiful temple for Vishnu.

The king later invited Brahma to build the temple. However, Brahma remained in meditation for nine years. By then, the temple was in the sand.

While the king was asleep, he had alarmed when he heard a voice asking him to find a tree floating on the beach and make statues.

Accordingly, the king again built a magnificent temple and erected images of Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra made of wood of the divine tree.

Puri Temple Architecture

Jagannath Temple is one of the most magnificent temples in India. Its classic Oriya architecture never fails to wipe tourists off their feet. It covered an area of approximately 4,00,000 square feet and had surrounded by two rectangular walls.

The outer wall, which is 20 feet high, is called the Meghnad Pacheri. The other is called Kurma Bedha, which surrounds the main temple.

Compared to other peaks, the mid-rise or dome contains the deities. The temple has four distinct structures: Vimanam, Jagamohan or Vakili, Nata Mandir, and Bhoga Mandapam.

There are four gates – the East Simha Dwaram (Lion Gate), the South southern Ashwadwara (Horse Gate), the West Vyaghrasana(Tiger Gate), and the North Hastidwara(Elephant Gate). The main gate on Grand Road is the Lion Gate.

There are also several halls in the temple complex. Also, the top of the temple is called the blue wheel. It had different metals, and a new flag was hoisted on the wheel daily.

Jagannath Temple Festivals

The Jagannath Puri Temple is famous for celebrating the most glorious and auspicious religious festivals. Some of the major festivals that you should visit-

Puri Rathyatra:

This is the main festival of the temple. Also known as the Gundicha Yatra or the Car Festival, it usually takes place in June or July.

The three idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra, are transported in huge chariots or chariots from Bada Danda, the main street in Puri, to the Gundicha Temple. Then, nine days later, they are returned to the Jagannath Temple. The return journey is called Bahuda Yatra and is similar to the Rath Yatra.

Thousands of people gathered for Swami’s Darshan. Decorating all the deities with bright colours is a beautiful sight—the cherry on people’s enthusiasm and excitement cake.

Bathing Yatra:

Bathing to the deities had done on this festival’s full moon day. It took them out of the temple and the procession to the bathing bed. The festival takes place in May or June.

Chandan Yatra:

Chandan Yatra is a 21-day festival that takes place in April-May. During this period, the deities had taken in procession and images of Lord Shiva from 5 Shiva temples to the Narendra Tank, where the idols were placed in beautifully decorated boats and worshipped.

Dola Yatra:

This festivity takes place in the month of Phalguna. The deities had been born in procession to Dolavedi outside the main temple, and special pujas had been performed.

Makara Sankranti

This festival takes place during the full moon. Unique costumes were made for the gods. Boiled rice is mixed with candy and fruit juices and offered to the gods. The festival has an agricultural priority.

Puri Jagannath Temple Timings

The temple does not charge any fee for regular Darshan. However, if you want to participate in some rituals, you must pay 10-50 rupees. The Puri Jagannath temple timings are from 6 am to midnight. Some rituals or rites had performed every day in the temple. Some of them are:

Days	Timings
Monday	6 am to 9 pm
Tuesday	6 am to 9 pm
Wednesday	6 am to 9 pm
Thursday	6 am to 9 pm
Friday	6 am to 9 pm
Saturday	6 am to 9 pm
Sunday	6 am to 9 pm

Mangala Aarti

It is the first ritual on the day the temple opens at 6 am.

Beshalagi

The gods change their clothes many times. At 8:00 am, they will be adorned with gold and beautiful dresses to suit festive occasions. It is also known as a ‘horror story.

Sakala Dhupa

At around 10:00 am, morning pujas had performed with treats. Large quantities of bhoga are prepared and offered to the lord.

Mailam and Bhoga Mandapam

After morning worship, the clothes of the deities changed again, which is called Mile. Afterwards, poojas perform in the Bhoga Mandapam. Large quantities of bhog or prasadam had made also served the people.

Madhyanha Dhupa

Like all incense, this puja had performed with rituals from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Sandhya Dhoop

Pujas performed again from around 7:00 to 8:00 pm, and bhog had prepared.

Mylam and Chandana Lagi

After evening worship, the deities had anointed with sandalwood paste. This ritual can see after paying a nominal fee of Rs. 10.

Badashringara Bhoga

It is the last bhoga of the day. Puja has also performed.

Best time to visit

May to July is an excellent time to visit Puri as the monsoon season is packed. However, major festivals like the Rath Yatra at the Jagannath Puri Temple occur during these months.

Despite the unfavourable weather, you will likely be a part of the dazzling Puri festivities. This time the prices will be higher as more devotees are coming.

Puri Jagannath temple Darshan online booking

Online Booking is not available. For Darshan, book it at the ticket counter on the temple premises. For accommodation go to Website.

Tourist Places near Puri jagannath Temple

Shree Gundicha Temple, Puri
Golden Beach
Sudarshan Crafts Museum
Puri Swargadwar Beach
Shri Vimala Shakti Peetha Temple, Puri
Sea Beach Of Puri
Bedi Hanuman Temple
Puri King’s Gajapati Maharaja Palace
Puri Beach Market

Hotels nearby Puri Jagannath temple

Bobby Premium Residency
Sudha Kutir
Divine view – SwarnaBhavan
The Hans Coco Palms
The Yellow Hotels by Festin
Madhusmruti
Pride Ananya Resorts
Hotel Niladri

How to reach?

By Air

The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar which is 64 km away.

By Train

The nearest railway station is Khurda Road Station which is 44 km from Puri. Direct trains are available from all parts of India.

By Road

you can reach the temple from Bhubaneswar station.
Temple is 15 mins from the bus station.

Puri Jagannath Temple Address

Grand Rd, At post, Puri, Odisha 752001
Phone Number: 06752 222 829, 6752222002
Fax: 6752 252100
Email: jagannatha.or@nic.in
Puri Jagannath Temple: Official Website

FAQs

Are jeans allowed in Puri Jagannath Temple?

On Monday, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri banned servitors from wearing western casuals like jeans, T-shirts and shorts.

Is food free in Jagannath Puri Temple?

Devotees visiting the 12th century Shree Jagannath Temple to have a darshan of the Trinity had given free mahaprasad, the much sought-after cooked food for the deities.

Is there any dress code for Jagannath Temple?

All these servitors will require to wear traditional clothes like dhoti, gamuchha and patta.

What is unique about Puri Jagannath Temple?

The Puri temple is famous for its annual Ratha Yatra, or chariot festival, in which the three principal deities are pulled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars.

Why does the Puri temple have no shadow?

The site is a no-fly zone, which has not been declared by any state powers, but by some divine power.