The Jagannath Temple in Puri (Odia: ବଡଦେଉଳ, ଶ୍ରୀମନ୍ଦିର) is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath (Vishnu) and located in the coastal town of Puri in the state of Odisha, India. The name Jagannath (Lord of the Universe) is a combination of the Sanskritwords Jagat (Universe) and Nath (Lord of).The temple is an important pilgrimage destination for many Hindu traditions, particularly worshippers of Krishna and Vishnu, and part of the Char Dham pilgrimages that a Hindu has to be visited in one's lifetime .
The temple was built in the 11th century atop its ruins by the progenitor of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, grandson of Chola emperor Virarajendra Chola and nephew of emperor Kulothunga Chola I. The temple is famous for its annual Rath Yatra, or chariot festival, in which the three main temple deities are hauled on huge and elaborately decoratedtemple cars. Since medieval times, it is also associated with intense religious fervour.
Legendary account as found in the Skanda-Purana, Brahma Purana and other Puranas and later Odia works state that LordJagannath was originally worshipped as Lord Neela Madhav by a Savar king ( tribal chief ) named Viswavasu. Having heard about the deity, King Indradyumna sent a Brahmin priest, Vidyapati to locate the deity, who was worshipped secretly in a dense forest by Viswavasu. Vidyapati tried his best but could not locate the place. But at last he managed to marry Viswavasu's daughter Lalita . At repeated request of Vidyapti, Viswavasu took his son-in-law blind folded to a cave where Lord Neela Madhav was worshipped.
Vidyapati was very intelligent. He dropped mustard seeds on the ground on the way. The seeds germinated after a few days, which enabled him to find out the cave later on. On hearing from him, King Indradyumna proceeded immediately to Odra desha (Odisha) on a pilgrimage to see and worship the Deity. But the deity had disappeared. The king was disappointed. The Deity was hidden in sand. The king was determined not to return without having a darshan of the deity and observed fast unto death at Mount Neela, Then a celestial voice cried 'thou shalt see him '. Afterwards the king performed a horse sacrifice and built a magnificent temple for Vishnu. Sri Narasimha Murti brought by Narada was installed in the temple. During sleep, the king had a vision of Lord Jagannath. Also an astral voice directed him to receive the fragrant tree on the seashore and make idols out of it. Accordingly the king got the image of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshan made out of the wood of the divine tree and installed them in the temple.
A List of Festivals As Observed in Shri Jagannath Temple of Puri
1. PANA SANKRANTI or Maha Vishuva Sankranti - Special Nitis are performed in the Temple on this day. The day marks the beginning of the Oriya New Year.
2. CHANDAN YATRA - The festival is observed for a period of 42 days starting from Vaisakh Shukla Trutiya or Akshaya Trutiya. Mahalakshmi and Bhudevi is accompanied by proxies of Sri Jagannath that is Madan Mohan, Rama Krushna, Laxmi, Saraswati and five Shivas that is Sri Lokanath, Sri Yameswar, Sri Kapalamochan, Sri Markandeswar and Sri Nilakantheswar in different Palanquins move to the Narendra Tank for a ritual evening cruise everyday for 21 days. At the Chandan Mandap on side the Pond the deities engage them selves in water sport by the specially arranged Vats of sandalpaste water. In the valedictory night the deities cruise for 21 times. The Chandan Yatra is also otherwise known as Gandhalepana Yatra.
The second period of 21 days is known as the Bhitara Chandan or Inner Chandan as during this period the festival takes place in side the Temple Premise and the Deities play in the water on four occasions namely on the dark fort night, on the new moon day, on the 6th and 11th day of the bright fort night of the month of the Jyestha. A consecrated cistern in the Temple represents the Narendra Tank.
3. NILADRI MAHODAYA (ADHIVASA) - The day of bright fort night of Vaisakh
4. NILADRI MAHODAYA - The festival s observed on the 8th day of the bright fort night of Vaisakh. One hundred and eight pots of consecrated water are offered to the Deities and other Nitis are performed.
5. JALAKRIDA - This is celebrated on
a) 11th day of black fort night of Jyestha b) New moon day of Jyestha c) 6th day of bright fort night of Jyestha d) 1th day of bright fort night of Jyestha
6. NRUSINGHA JANMA - Celebrated on the 14th day of the bright fort night of Vaisakh when the imasge of Nrusingha is taken procession to Jagannathvallabh where some Nitis are performed and after that the deity returns to the Temple.
7. SITAL SASTHI - The 6th day of bright fort Night of Jyestha. The images of Dola Govinda and Pancha Pandava Siva are taken to the Temple of Lakshmi where a ceremony is performed.
8. RAJENDRAABHISHEKA - The 10th day of the bright fort night of Jyestha. Lord Jagannath has his Abhiseka and the proposal of his marriage with Rukmini is broached
9. RUKMINI HARANA - On the 11th day of the bright fort night of Jyestha. Madanmohan, the representative of deity of Sri Jagannath Rukmini from the Temple of Sri Bimala while she is offering worship and after that the marriage is performed.
10. CHAMPAK DWADASHI - Celebrated on 13th day of bright fort night of Jyestha.The deities are decorated with Champaka flowers.
11. ENTERING OF DAITA PATIS - Celebrated on 13th day of bright fort night of Jyestha
12. SNANA YATRA - This is the Jyestha Purnima, the birth day of Sri Jagannath. The followings are performed on that day.
a) The three deities are brought in a colorful Pahandi procession to the decorated Snana Bedi, an elevated bathing platform in tha Ananda Bazar (On the north east corner of the outer enclosure for a ritual bath. Sudarshan and Madanmohan also join them. 108 pitchers full of scented water are ched from a sacred well (Suna kua near the north gate) and are poured over the Deities amidst chanting of Mantras and loud rejoicings. Soon after their bath appears Jagannath in the form of Ganesha, Subhadra appears in the form of Padma Vesha. This particular vesha is called Gaja Vesha, Puri Raja or his representative, Mudiratha conducts Cherapanhara (Ritual cleaning of Snana Mnandap)
b) Anasara (From Snana Purnima to Asadha Amavasya) - The Deities are ceremonially brought back to the Ansarapindi that is a side room in the po ch where their circular stone pedestals for the deities were already placed. There they stay sequestered for a period of 15 days. During this period, the deities are given fresh coats of paint. Special Ansara Nitis are performed. Only the Daitas attend to the Deities . An improvised bamboo wall (Ansara Pati) bearing the paintings of the deities is however placed there for a proxy worship by the devotees. Coats of successive indigenous paints given to the deities take a long time to dry up. It is believed that the deities suffer from fever on the account of elaborate bath and for that they are kept in dietary provisions (No cooked food is served) and are nursed by the Daitas, the Kinsmen of God belonging to the Sabar Tribe.
13. FULARI LAGI - Celebrated on 5th day of black fort night of Asadha
14. CHAKA BIJE - Celebrated on the 10th black fort night of Asadha
15. CHANDAN LAGI - Celebratyed on 11th black fort night of Asadha
16. DWADASI and RAJ PRASAD BIJE - Celebrated on the 12th black fort night of Asadha
17. GHANA LAGI and SRI PAYAR MUDRA - Celebrated on the 13th black fort night of Asadha
18. CHAKA APASAR LAGI - Celebrated on 13th black fort night of Asadha
19. NETROTSAVA or NAVA YAUVANA DARSHAN - On the concluding day of Anasara that is Asadha Amavasya, the Deities decked in their finest robes and Ornaments appear before devotees. The festival of re appearance of Jagannath after Anasara is called Nava Yauvana or fresh youth. The ceremony of giving finishing touches to the eyes of the deities is called Netrotsav.
20. RATHA YATRA - On the Asadha Sukla dwitiya, after preliminary rituals the three deities and Sudarshan are ushered in to their specially built decorated chariot parked near the Simhadwara in a ceremonial Pahandi procession. The Thakur Raja of Puri conducts the ceremonial chhera panhara on the three chariots. The chariot are pulled amidst loud speakers and playing of various musical instruments
The chariots rumble through the Grand Road to reach the Gundicha Mandir, situated at a distance of 3 km north east of Sri Mandir. On the way the deities are offered Pankti, way side sacred offerings by heads of various
Maths. The deities are ushered in to the Gundicha Tempple the next day and there they enjoy a week long sojourn. The ogs on the chariot spires are worshipped every day.
Hera Panchami is observed on the Shukla Panchami. The image of Goddess Lakshmi is ceremonially taken to Gundicha Temple where the chariots are anchored. She does not call on Jagannath, rather leaves the front yard of the Gundicha temple abruptly causing a little damage to Jagannath's chariot, Nandighosh. She come back to her temple via Hera Gouri Sahi.
On the eighth day the chariot are placed facing south west for resumption of their return journey next day.
21. HERA PANCHAMI - Celebrated on both day of bright fort night of Asadha.
22. BAHUDA YATRA - The return journey of the deities commences on the 9th day. On their way back they halt at Mausima Temple and receive cake from their aunt. Then they move on. Chariots of Balabhadra and Subhadra reach Simhadwar first and Nandighosh stays back in front of the palace of Puri Raja. From the Chahani Mandap. Viewing plat form near the Snana Mandap, Goddess Laxmi watches the safe return of Lord Jagannath. Nandighosh finally reaches at the Simhadwara and that marks the end of the Journey.
On the 11th day, the deities still occuping their chariots out side the Simhadwara are richly decorated with various gold ornaments brought from the temple store. They appear in Suna Vesha.
On the 12th day Niladri Vijaya is celebrated. Balabhadra and Subhadra in ceremonial gotipahandi are ushered in to the Ratna Sinhasan where as Jagannath alone is left behind and becomes a target of mock humiliation by Devadasis at the bidding of Laxmi. When the pleasant repartee is over, Jagannath and Laxmi are re united. This event is known as Laxmi-Narayana Bheta. Then lord Jagannath majestically repairs to his ratna singhasan and joins his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra.
23. SUNA VESHA - celebrate on 11th day of bright fortnight of Asadha.
24. HARISHAYANA EKADASI- On the 11th day of the bright night of Asadha, the sayana Ustav or sleeping ceremony is performed. The adhivasa nitis are performed the previous day. At night the representatives images Srinarayan, Vasudeva and Bhubaneswari representing Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra respectively are brought to the well decorated sleeping chamber and placed on the cots. They are invoked with prayer" O lord, do please sleep for four months for the well fare of the universe". Then they are laid on their respective beds. 25. GARUDA SAYANA DWADASHI - The ceremony is performed on the 12th day of the bright fortnight of Asadha.
26. ADHAR PANA ON RATH - Celebrated on 12th day of bright fortnight of Asadha.
27. NILADRI BIJE - Celebrated on 13th day of bright fortnight of Asadha.
28. KARKATA SANKRANTI or DAKSHINAYAN YATRA - As the Sun begins to move to the southwards, a festival called as Dakshinayan Yatra is observed.
29. CHITALAGI AMAVASYA - On the new moon day in the month of Shrabana the Gold and Stone sets Chitas moved from the deities during Snana Yatra are again put on them.
30. BAADI NRUSINGH BIJE - Celebrated on 9th day of bright fortnight of Shravan.
31. JHULAN YATRA - It is celebrated in the Temple from the Shravana Shukla Dashami up to Pratipada. Madanmohan, the Utsava Murti of Jagannath .Bhudevi and Laxmi are placed on a decorated swings in Jhulan Mandap and crowds of Pilgrims congregate in the Temple to see the Festival. Different Mathas of Puri also celebrate this festival with great pomp and grandeur.
32. GAMHAPURNIMA or BALABHADRA JANMA - On the full moon day in the month of Shravana nitis are performed to celebrate the birthday of Balabhadra. The deities wear gold and silken rachis.
33. The deities wear RAHUREKHA LAGI - Rahurekha ornaments for the forehead on the 5th lunar day of the dark fortnight of Balabhadra.
34. KRISHNA JANMA - It is celebrated in the Temple on the 8th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadrapada. On this day ceremonies regarding the birth of Lord Krishna are performed. On the next day Nandostaba is observed.
35. NANDOSTAV - Celebrated on 9th day of black fortnight of Bhadrapad.
36. BANA BHOJI VESHA - Celebrated on 10th day of black fortnight of Bhadrapad.
37. KALIYA DALAN VESHA - Celebrated on 11th day of black fortnight of Bhadrapad.
38. PRALMBASUR BADHA VESHA - Celebrated on 12th day of black fortnight of Bhadrapad.
39. KRUSHNA BALARAM VESHA - Celebrated on 13th day of black fortnight of Bhadrapad.
40. SAPTAPURI AMAVASYA - The new mood day of Bhadrapad. On this day quantities of sweets known as Saptapuri Tada are offered to the Deities
41. DAVAGNI - Celebrated on 12th day of bright fortnight of Bhadrapad.
42. NIKUNJA LILA - Celebrated on 12th day of bright fortnight of Bhadrapad.
43. GANESH CHATURTHI - The 4th day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadrapad. Panji Puja is done at Saraswati Temple and various Pujas are performed in the Temple of Ganesh.
44. REKHA PANCHAMI - Celebrated on 5th day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadrapad.
45. KRUSHNA LILA - Celebrated on 6th and 7th day of bright fortnight of Bhadrapad.
46. RAADHASTAMI - Celebrated on 8th day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadrapad is celebrated as the
birthday of Sri Radha. On this day nitis are performed by taking out Shri Sudarshan to the four Ashrams.
47. KRISHNA LILA or LAVANI KHIA- Celebrated on 10th day of bright fortnight of Bhadrapad.
48. PARSVAPARIVARTANA - On the Hanosara day of the 11th day of the bright fortnight of in the month of Bhadrapad, the Parsvaparivartan (Turning of Sides) festival is performed. On this day at evening after the usual rituals, the God is requested to change the side.
49. VAMANA JANMA - various nitis are performed relating to the birth of Bamana on the 12th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapad. Sunia is also marks the beginning of the Royal New Year of Gajapati.
50. ANANTA CHATURDASHI - On the 14th day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadrapad, the ceremony is performed in Sri Ananta Vasudeva Temple.
51. INDRA-GOVINDA PUJA - The Puja is celebrated on Bhadrapad Purnima, the full moon day in the month of Bhadrapad.
52. SAHASRA KUMBHA ABHISEKA - Ashwina Krushna Astami that is the 8th day of the dark fortnight of Ashwina. Abhisek of Goddess Durga is done at Marjana Mandapa and from this day Shohala Puja is performed in the Temple of Vimala and other Goddesses.The puja is called Rahasya Puja or Mahanisha Puja and lasts 16 days from Krushna Ashtami up to Mahanavami.
53. DASAHARA - On the 10th day of the bright fortnight in the month of Aswina. Ayudha Puja and Vijaya Dasami celebrations are performed.
54. DWITYA OSHA - It is performed by Goddess Lakshmi in her Temple.
55. KARTIKA VRATA - This is also called as the starting of Radha Damodar Besha and starts from the beginning of 11th day of bright fortnight of Aswina till Kartik Shukla Dashami.
56. KUMAR PURNIMA - On the full moon day in the month of Ashwina the Sevakas representing Sri Jagannath and Sri Lakshmi play dice.
57. HARI UTTHAPANA EKADASI - On the 11th day of the bright fortnight in the month of Kartika, the gods are awakened from the divine slumber. The festival is also called "Provodhana Yatra" or rising ceremony.
58. GARUDA UTTHAPAN DWADASI - This is performed on the 12th day of the bright fortnight of full moon of Kartika.
59. PANCHAK VESA - Started from the beginning of 11th day of bright fortnight to Full Moon of Kartika.
60. NAVANNA - Various extra Bhogas are offered on this occasion. There is no fixed day for this festival but it is fixed by the Temple Astrologer according to the stars(Rohini) of Sri Jagannath.
61. PRATHAMASTAMI - The 8th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Margasira when Vandaapana is done.
62. DIPADANA-On this day Jagannathjew and Balarama perform Shraadh for Kashyapa,Aditi,Dasharatha,Kaushalya,Devaki,Rohini,Vasudeva,Nanda,Yashoda
63. ODHANA SASTHI - The 6th day of the bright fortnight in the month of Margasira. From this day Ghodalagi begins that is the Deities are dressed in winter garments
64. PANDU PURNIMA - It is celebrated on full moon day of Margasira.
65. DHANU SANKRANTI - Pahali Bhoga begins from the day on Dhanu Sankranti to Makara Sankranti.
66. VAKUL AMABASYA - On Pausha Amabasya special Bhogas including Gaintha are offered to the Deities.
67. PUSHYABHISEKA - Nitis such as Adhibasa etc. are performed on the full moon day in the month of Pausa. Pots filled with perfumed water are taken from Bhoga Mandap to the Ratna Vedi. This Abhiseka is performed for the representatives deities like Rama, Sita and Lakshaman for which is also known as Ramabhiseka.
68. NABANKI - It is celebrated on the previous day of Makar Sankranti.
69. MAKAR SANKRANTI - This is also called as Uttarayani Yatra and is performed on the Makar Sankranti day when the Sun moves towards Vernal Equinox.
70. PADMA VESHA - It is celebrared on Tuesday or Saturday between new moon of Magha to Basanta Panchami
71. VASANTA PANCHAMI - Panji Puja is done in the Saraswati Temple and there is some modification in Ghodalagi that is in the winter garments worn by the Deities.
72. TILA SAPTAMI - Celebrated on the 7th day of bright fortnight of Magha.
73. BHOUMA EKADASI - Celebrated on the 11th day of bright fortnight of Magha.
74. MAGHA PURNIMA - Gajauddharana Vesha takes place on this day.
75. SIVA RATRI - Hari Hara Bheta takes place at Sri Lokanath Temple.
76. BENTA or SIKAR - This festival is performed on the 1st, 4th, 8th, and the 12th day of the bright fortnight to Phalguna. On these days the image of Dola Govinda is taken to Jagannathvallabh Matha, which is known as the pleasure garden of Jagannath, and coconuts are struck with arrows by some sevakas symbolizing Mrugaya.
77. DOLA YATRA - It is started during the period from Phalguna Dashami, the 10th day of the bright Phalguna to the Purnima or Full Moon day. The representative Deities of Lord Jagannath are taken to Dola and various Nitis are performed. This is also known as Vasantosab. Fagu or colour powder is sprinkled on the Deities.
78. AGNI USTAVA - Celebrated on the 14th of bright fortnight of Phalguna.
79. HOLI - Celebrated on 1st black fortnight of Chaitra.
80. CHAITRA GUNDICHA - A festival is observed on the 6th day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra in the Sun Temple in side the Temple Premise.
81. ASHOKASHTAMI - It is celebrated on the 8th day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra. Sri Bhandar Lokanath is taken in a procession to the Temple of Isaneswar Mahadeva where certain ceremonies are performed. The Deity turns to the Temple after attending to some Nitis at Jagannathballava.
82. RAMA NAVAMI - The festival begins with the celebration of the birth of Sri Rama on the 9th day of the bright Fortnight of Chaitra and continues for some Days. Rama Lila is performed in which different Sahis or Localities in the town participate.
83. YAGNYA RAKSHYA - Celebrated on the 10th of bright fortnight of Chaitra.
84. SITA VIVAH - Celebrated on 11th day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra.
85. VANAVASA - Celebrated on the 12th day of bright fortnight of Chaitra.
86. DAMANAKA CHORI or DAMANAK LAGI - The festival is celebrated on the 13th day and 14th day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra. The Deities Rama and Krishna are taken in a procession to Jagannathballav Matha from where a scented plant called Dayana is stealthily brought and on the next day offered to the Deities by observing elaborator tites.
87. LANKA PODI - Celebrated on full moon day of Chaitra.
88. SETU BADDHA - Celebrated on 1st day of black fortnight of Vaisakha.
89. RAVAN BADHA - Celebrated on 2nd day of black fortnight of Vaisakha.
90. RAMABHISEKA - It does not occur on a particular day. It is calculated per the position of the stars(Punarvasu).
How To Reach Puri
The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar, 60 km.Reaching Puri through Rail - Puri is a terminus on the East Coast Railway having direct express and super fast train links with New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Okha, Ahmedabad, Tirupati etc. Some important trains are Kolkata (Howrah) Puri Howrah Express, Jagannath Express; New Delhi; Purushottam Express. Khurda Road Station, 44 km, from Puri is convenient rail head for train to Chennai and Western India.
The station is about one km North of the town. Cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws compete aggressively to get you to a hotel.
Reaching Puri through Road - The bus stand near the Gundicha Temple provides connections to Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, service every 10-15 minutes. Minibuses to Konark leave every 20-30 minutes and also from Jatiababa Chhak. There are direct buses for Kolkata and Visakhapatnam.
For Getting around puri - cycle rickshaws are available all over town. Auto rickshaws are also available but every few in numbers. Bicycle, moped or a motorcycle can be hired easily from several outlets on the Chakratirtha (CT) Road for trips to the coast and to Konark. Most travel agents in the city provide this service.
