Feb 06, 2016 10:35 AM
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Puri is a major tourist attraction owing to its assortment of exotic beach, the famous Swargadwar or the Road to Heaven, the Nandan Kanan zoo and the famous Jagannath temple.
The Jagannath temple is one of the most visited places in Puri. The temple dedicated to the hindu god Jagannath resides in the heart of the city. Dated to have been built in the late 1100’s, it is one of the oldest temple in India.
History – Jagannath temple has a history that dates back to the 1100’s. It is believed that the king who built the temple was King Indradyumna. He had a vision of the lord and thus decided to build the temple. However due to certain restrictions, the temple idol had to be built in a single day. Though the architects tried hard to finish the task, they were unable to build the hands of the lord and thus Lord Jagannath had been worshipped ever since without his hands.
Idols Worshipped – Jagannath is the fusion of lord Vishnu and is considered to be one among the several incarnations of the lord. The Jagannath temple has three idols which are worshipped by the devotees. The tri-idols are of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and the Goddess Subhadra. They constitute the main deities worshipped in the temple.
Description – The Jagannath temple is split into a number of 31 temples, each of which is a house of a deity belonging to the hindu shashtra. The temple has a total of 4 entrances. Jagannath temple is one among the char dhams after Dwarka, Badrinath, and Rameshwaram. Mainly devotees of Krishna and Vishnu visit the temple. Devotees in bulk amount crowd the temple throughout the year and pay worship to the lord. There are also temple Prasad which is manufactured within the temple and has to be bought from the temple itself. The Prasad’s are divided into several categories and can be purchased according to the convenience.
Rath Yatra – One of the most famous festivals of the Jagannath temple is its Rath Yatra. Devotees in lakhs visit the city to witness this famous festival. During the Rath Yatra, the three main temple idols are hauled throughout the city in large chariots. The festival is believed to have a high religious significance and attracts a lot of tourists.
Things to look out for –
1.) The Rath Yatra
2.) Singhadwara or the Lion Gate
3.) Nil Chakra or the Blue Wheel
4.) Rosaghara or the Temple kitchen. It is the largest kitchen in the world.
Final Verdict – The Jagannath temple is a perfect example of the ancient architecture. The temple is sculpted to perfection with minor decorations splendid on the walls of the temple. It is a beauty to watch. The Jagannath temple is a must visit for every tourist visiting Puri. It leaves the soul satisfied and elevated.
