Puri Jagannath is a famous Hindu temple located in the city of Puri, in the state of Odisha, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of the lord Vishnu, and is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites for Hindus.

The history of Puri Jagannath dates back to ancient times. The exact origin of the temple is unclear, but it is believed to have been established in the 12th century by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. The temple has undergone several renovations and expansions over the centuries, with contributions from various rulers and devotees.

The main story associated with the temple revolves around Lord Jagannath’s image, which is believed to have mysteriously appeared in Puri. Legend has it that King Indradyumna of Malwa, a devout follower of Lord Vishnu, dreamt of the deity’s wooden forms floating in the sea. Inspired by the dream, the king commissioned a divine carpenter, Vishvakarma, to carve the images from a sacred log of wood. Vishvakarma agreed to create the images but placed one condition: He would work in complete isolation for 21 days and no one should interrupt him. Unfortunately, the king’s queen grew impatient and opened the door to the workshop on the sixteenth day. She discovered unfinished forms, representing the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. Despite the unfinished state, the images were consecrated and placed in the temple. The deities, known as the “Darubrahman,” are made of neem wood and lack the usual intricate details. 

Naba Kalebara is a unique and sacred ritual associated with the Jagannath Temple in Puri. The term “Naba Kalebara” translates to “New Body” or “New Embodiment.” It is performed when an auspicious astrological alignment occurs and the previous wooden forms of the deities, known as the Darubrahman, are believed to have worn out or completed their lifespan. During Naba Kalebara, the entire process of replacing the old deities with new ones involves various rituals and preparations including transfer of “Bramha Padarta” from old deities. The ritual is conducted by the Daitapatis, a specific class of temple servitors responsible for carrying out the secret rituals of the Jagannath Temple.

It is believed that Lord Vishnu takes His bath at Rameswaram, meditates at Badrinath, dines at Puri and retires at Dwarika. Hence, the temple “Mahaprasad”  at Puri is held to be of supreme importance.  The temple kitchen has got the capacity to cook for a lakh of devotees in a day and is cooked only in earthen pots using fire wood as fuel. The steam-cooked food is offered to Lord Jagannath first and then to Vimala Devi after which it becomes Mahaprasad. This Mahaprasad is freely partaken by people of all castes and creeds without any discrimination. The items offered include cooked rice, dal, vegetable curry, sweet-dishes, cakes etc. Dry confectioneries are prepared of sugar, gur, wheat flour, ghee, milk and cheese (Chenna) etc. Legend has it that when the steam cooked food is carried to the Lord in slings of earthen pots no essence can be smelled from the food but when the same is carried back to the sale point (Anand Bazar) beside the temple after being offered to the Lord, a delicious smell spreads along in the breeze to the pleasant surprise of the devotees. Devotees can purchase the Mahaprasad from Anand Bazar and get the divine blessings.

The flag of the Jagannath Temple in Puri is known as the Patitapavana Bana. It is a distinctive flag that holds great significance in the temple and is an integral part of its rituals and traditions. The Patitapavana Bana is a rectangular-shaped flag made of red, yellow, and black cloth. It features various symbols and motifs that represent the deities and their associated mythology. The top portion of the flag is red, symbolizing power and passion. The middle portion is yellow, representing knowledge and enlightenment. The bottom portion is black, signifying darkness and protection. The flag is hoisted on a flagpole located on the top of the Jagannath Temple’s main shrine, known as the “Deula.” The flag is changed every day at 6 PM during summers and at 5 PM during winters. Devotees believe that witnessing the flag-changing ceremony brings blessings and purifies one’s soul.

Rath Yatra,  is a prominent festival celebrated annually in the city of Puri, Odisha, India. It is primarily associated with the Jagannath Temple and the deities Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. The Rath Yatra festival is a grand procession in which the deities are taken out of the Jagannath Temple and placed on huge chariots for a journey to the Gundicha Temple, located about 3 kilometers away. The chariots are intricately designed and are built anew each year using traditional methods and specific types of wood. The main chariot, known as Nandighosa, is for Lord Jagannath and stands the tallest, followed by the chariots of Balabhadra (Taladhwaja) and Subhadra (Darpadalana). These chariots are pulled by thousands of devotees using long ropes, and it is considered highly auspicious to have a chance to pull the ropes during the procession.

The Rath Yatra typically takes place in the month of June or July, during the monsoon season, and attracts millions of devotees from all over the world. The procession moves slowly through the streets of Puri, accompanied by joyous singing, dancing, and chanting of devotional hymns. It is believed that participating in the Rath Yatra and having a glimpse of the deities or touching the chariots during the procession brings great blessings and spiritual merit. The journey from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple symbolizes Lord Jagannath’s annual visit to his aunt’s house, as per the mythological narrative. During their stay at the Gundicha Temple, the deities are offered special rituals and devotional activities. After a week-long stay, the deities return to the Jagannath Temple in a similar procession called the Bahuda Yatra.

Inside the Jagannath Temple in Puri, there are several smaller temples and shrines. Here are some of the prominent ones:

1. 1. 1. 1. Mukti Mandap: Located within the Jagannath Temple complex, the Mukti Mandap is a prayer hall where devotees gather to offer prayers and seek blessings. It is believed that praying at this spot can grant liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death.

         2. Vimala Temple: Situated near the entrance of the Jagannath Temple, the Vimala Temple is dedicated to Goddess Vimala, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. Devotees visit this temple to seek blessings and offer prayers to the goddess.

         3. Nrusingha Temple: Inside the Jagannath Temple complex, the Nrusingha Temple is dedicated to Lord Nrusingha / Narasimha, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that Lord Jagannath visits this temple to seek the blessings of Lord Nrusingha during the Chandan Yatra festival.

         4. Lakshmi Temple: Adjacent to the main Jagannath Temple, the Lakshmi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Jagannath. Devotees offer prayers here to seek prosperity and well-being.

         5. Saraswati Temple: Situated within the Jagannath Temple complex, the Saraswati Temple is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, arts, and learning. Devotees visit this temple to seek blessings for wisdom and education.

There are several important temples around Puri that are worth visiting. Here are some of the main temples:

1. 1. 1. 1. Konark Sun Temple: Located about 35 kilometers northeast of Puri, the Konark Sun Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a magnificent example of ancient Odishan architecture. Dedicated to the Sun God, Surya, the temple is renowned for its intricate carvings and the impressive chariot-like structure.

         2. Lingaraj Temple: Situated in the city of Bhubaneswar, approximately 60 kilometers from Puri, the Lingaraj Temple is one of the most revered Shiva temples in India. It is renowned for its architectural grandeur and houses a massive Shiva Lingam.

         3. Mukteshwar Temple: Also situated in Bhubaneswar, the Mukteshwar Temple is known for its exquisite stone carvings and unique architectural style. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is an important pilgrimage site and reflects the beauty of Odishan temple architecture.

         4. Sakshigopal Temple: Located around 20 kilometers west of Puri, the Sakshigopal Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, who is worshipped as Sakshigopal or “the Witness Gopal.” The temple is known for its beautiful idols and attracts a large number of devotees.

         5. Alarnath Temple: Situated about 24 kilometers northeast of Puri, the Alarnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his form as Alarnath. The temple is associated with a legend from the Jagannath Temple and is visited by devotees seeking blessings and spiritual solace.

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