Sri Jagganathpuri Temple (Odisha)

Located in the holy town of Puri (Odisha), Sri Jaggantah Temple is a significant pilgrimage site for hindu devotees. Build in 1161 CE by King Indradyumna, the temple is dedicated to deity Jagganath (another form of Lord Vishnu). Its importance is such that it is considered as one of the four important pilgrimage site of Char Dham Yatra with Badrinath, Rameshwaram and Dwarka.

Key Points about the Temple

Location : Puri, Odisha
Affiliation : Hinduism
Deity : Jagannath
Timings : 05:00 am to 12:00 am
Completed : 1161 CE
Creator : King Indradyumna
Entry Fee : Free Entry
Type : Kalinga Architecture
Festivals : Rath Yatra; Chandan Yatra; Snana Yatra; Nabakalebara

Architecture of the Temple

Sri Jagganath Temple is considered as one of the magnificent temples in terms of its architecture. Inspired by Oriya architecture, it is build in an area of approx 4,00,000 square feet and enclosed with rectangular walls.

Meghanada Pacheri (the outer wall) is 20 feet high and Kurma Bedha (the inner wall) surrounds the main temple. The temple has four structures namely the Virmana, the porch or the Jagmohan, the Bhoga Mandap and the Nata Mandir.

It has four gates- Lion Gate (the eastern Singhadwara), Tiger Gate (the western Vyaghrasana, Elephant Gate (the northern Hastidwara) and Horse Gate (the southern Ashwadwara). The wheel that is on the top of the temple is called the Blue Wheel or the Nila Chakra.

Famous Festivals

At the temple, some festivals are celebrated with great pomp and excitement. Below are of them-

1. Puri Rath Yatra- It is the major festival celebrated in the month of June or July and popularly known as Gudicha Yatra or the Car Festival. All the major three idols- Jagganath, Balabhadra and Subhadra, are carried in a great chariot called rath from Bada Danda to Gundicha Temple. After nine days, the idols are then carried back to Jagganath Temple.
2. Snana Yatra- The deities of the temple are bathed in this festival on a full moon day. This festival is celebrated in May or June.
3. Chandan Yatra- This is a twenty one day festival celebrated in April or May in which deities are taken to Narendra Tank where they are kept in beautiful boats.
4. Dola Yatra- This is an agricultural festival celebrated in the month of Pausa. In this festival offering of boiled rice mixed with fruit juices is made.

Visiting Hours

• The temple is open on all days of the week.
• There is no entry fee for the devotees.
• The timing of the temple is from 05:00 am to 12:00 am.
• The timings for Aarti is as below-

• Mangal Aarti- 05:00 am
• Beshalagi- 08:00 am
• Sakala Dhupa- 10:00 am
• Mailam and Bhoga Mandap- Morning
• Madhyanha Dhupa- 11:00 am to 01:00 pm
• Sandhya Dhupa- 07:00 pm to 08:00 pm
• Mailam and Chandan Lagi- Evening with a nominal charge of Rs.10/-
• Badashringara Bhoga- Night

How to reach the Temple?

By Air- Bhubaneswar Airport is the nearest airport which is 60 km away from the site.

By Train- Puri Railway Station is the nearest railway station to the temple.

By Road- The temple is well connected with local and roadways buses, and private taxis.

Nearby Hotels

• Reba Beach Resort
• Taj Residency
• Yellow Hotel
• Petal Residency Hotels & Pvt. Ltd.
• Hotel Lucifer
• Jamindar’s Palace
• Bluelily East-West Hotels
• Hotel Pushpa
• Hotel Rumani

Nearby Attractions

• Puri Swargadwar Beach
• Dhaudia River Muhana
• Sudarshan Crafts Museum
• Shree Sonar Gouranga Mandir
• Bedi Hanuman Temple
• Mahatma Gandhi Park
• Digabareni Pillar
• Sri Gundicha Temple
• Harchandi Temple