The Essential Visitor’s Guide to Jagannath Puri Dham
Located in the famous vacation city of Puri in Odisha, the Jagannath Temple, or jagannatha Puri Dham, has been considered one of the most promising places for Hindus in the entirety of India.
This massive temple is dedicated primarily to three deities: Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra, and their younger sister Subhadra. All three are important deities in Hindu mythology, and hold a place especially dear in the hearts of people who have visited this nostalgic and magnificent remnant of India’s glorious past.
History of Jagannath Dham
Construction of this temple was started way back in the 12th century by a Kalinga ruler named King Chodaganhadeva, and was finished in the latter reaches of the same century by his grandson, AnangaBhimadeva.
You’ll be shocked to know, though, that this temple has been looted no less than 18 different times by different rulers over the course of India’s past, carrying away the treasures of the temple.
Location of JagannathDham
If you’re confused about where to find the jagannathpuri located information, here’s the temple address: Shree Jagannath Temple, ChudangaSahi, Puri, Odisha 752001, India ; Telephone No, 6752222077 ; SPCC, PURI HO-752001. On the other hand, as tourism is by far the most active industry in Puri, chances are you’ll find taxes, buses, and jeeps directly to the temple from airports, railways, and common road stops.
Most hotels will also offer to book taxis for you that will take you to the temple site.
The Story of JagannathDham
JagannathDham, or the Jagannath Temple, is dedicated to the Hindu God Jagannath (and his brother Balabhadra and their sister Subhadra), and remains one of the most famous temples in India to date. At just about 200 feet tall, the temple is a stunning example of Kalinga architecture, and features tiered rising roofs that will leave even second-or-third-time visitors gaping in awe when the sun’s rays hit the temple.
Amazing Facts About Jagannath Dham To Leave You Shocked
This essential part of India’s Char Dhamtemples has a number of enigmatic facts about it that have never been solved. From things like flags flying opposite the direction of the wind to a one-ton metal Chakra that looks the same from every direction, here are some things about Jagannath Temple to leave you stunned:
- Flags flying in the direction of the wind is common sense, right? Not at purijagannath. Here, the normally-yellow flag mounted on top of the Temple’s spire is said to fly in the direction opposite the wind, leaving onlookers stunned at this mystery.
- Many people say when the sun is rising or sinking and its rays fall directly on the temple, it has absolutely no shadow to be seen. Is that an architectural oddity, or a message from Lord Jagannath? You decide!
- While the airspace over the temple is restricted and no flights are allowed there, you’ll also never see a single bird blocking your view of this magnificent temple.
The Flag Mystery of Jagannath Dham
Every day, a temple priest makes the 200 foot climb up to the peak of the jagannathpuri mandir to erect the flag. This is done completely without safety gear, and done every day for hundreds of years, as it is a local belief that if it is ever missed, the temple will remain closed for a whopping eighteen years.
The Rath Yatra of Jagannath Dham
The most famous ritual associated with the jagannathpuri temple is the famed RathYatraof Puri. Happening usually in the months of June or July, the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Lady Subhadra are brought outside the temple and installed in three giant wooden chariots. These chariots are far larger than the idols themselves, which range from four feet to six feet tall, and are pulled by hundreds of devotees working together.
New chariots are built every year, and decorated lavishly before they carry the idols to Gundicha Temple.
Jagannath Dham Timings
Jagannath Temple Aarti Timings
One of the best times to visit Jagannath Temple is during one of the day’s many aartis, where the gods are worshipped with many diyas to light them up. Here’s a list of the aarti timings you need to know when visiting JagannathDham:
1. Dwarpitha and Mangal Aarti: The Mangal Aartiis the first ritual of the day, and happens everyday sharp at 5AM. You can catch it yourself if you go to the temple at this time.
2. Sandhya Aarti: The second aarti of the day at Jagannath Temple happens in the early evening, and is called Sandhya Aarti. These are massive lamp offerings that look beautiful in the evening darkness, so make sure you check it out!
Jagannath Temple Darshan Timings
During festivals like Sahanamela, devotees are allowed to approach the gods and pray to them free of cost. At other times, sometimes devotees are allowed to approach the RatnaSinghasana and get their darshanup close for a nominal charge of Rs. 10. You can also get your darshan during Beshalagi, when devotees are allowed to view the “Bhitar Katha” for a fee of Rs. 1.50.
Jagannath Temple Timings
The temple is open every day from 5 AM in the morning to 12 AM at midnight, but note that most of the day, it will be stuffed full of tourists queueing up to get a look at the beautiful idols in the sanctum sanctorum.
Your best bet is visiting just after 7 AM, when the first aarti ritual is being completed, or after 9 PM, when the crowds have mostly died down. Going in the evening is definitely something to consider, as the temple is absolutely gorgeous all lit up against the evening sky.
JagannathPuri Prasad Online
When food offerings are given to Lord Jagannath and Goddess Bimala, it is called Mahaprasad. This type of bhog is freely offered to people of all castes and creeds as long as they are devout Hindus, and includes delicious items like cooked rice, dal, curry made from vegetables, cakes, and even sweet items like sugar and jaggery. The best part is that today, you can even buy jagannathpuri prasad online from a number of sites who will send a person to pick up the Mahaprasad from the temple and deliver it to you!
Jagannathpuri live darshan
As one of the oldest temples to be found in India, and definitely one of the most famous, the Jagannath Temple in Puri has its own website with lots of information, services, and articles to read for devotees. You can find the website at , with information on things like services available around the temple, ideal timings for darshan, where you can get mahaprasad, and many other things!
Places to See Around JagannathDham, Puri
JagannathDham is not the only thing to see in the beautiful Odisha town of Puri. The very neighbourhood of the Temple itself is home to a large stretch of the iconic Puri Beach, and a short taxi cab ride will take you to famous sites and temples like the Narendra Tank, Konark Sun Temple, and Markandeswara Temple.
With that said, here are a couple of must-see sites near jagannathpuri odisha:
1. Narendra Tank: With numerous shrines dotted around its borders, the Narendra Tank is a must-visit 15th century AD attraction that still draws thousands of visitors today. The ghats here are used for many rituals and floating ceramic idols of gods out to sea.
2. Konark Temple: Known mostly for its world-famous Sun Temple, Konark is a beautiful place to see most particularly because of its centuries-old Sun Temple, built circa 1200 AD. What makes this temple special is that the sun god Surya sculptures are sculpted to precisely capture the sun rays during mornings, afternoons and evenings!
3. Bhubaneshwar: Just 62 kilometres away from Puri lies Bhubaneswar, the esteemed state capital of Odisha. Called the “city of temples”, Bhubaneswar has many famous temples of its own and glorious examples of Kalinga architecture everywhere.
4. Markandeswara Temple: Believed to be where the sage Markandeya meditated on Lord Shiva, this temple worships Lord Shiva in many forms, as well as Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha, their son. The temple is an architectural marvel, and stunning every time you visit it.
Hotels NearJagannath Puri Temple
Here are our picks for the best hotel near jagannathpuri temple:
1. SudhaKutir: One of the best places to stay in Jagannath, Puri, is the SudhaKutir, located nearby the temple itself. You can find free Wifi and parking at this guest lodge located at HarachandiSahi Road, 752001 Puri, India.
2. Hotel Shreehari Grand: With 47 luxurious rooms and amenities like an in-house restaurant, temple, and prayer-room, Hotel Shreehari Grand is a slightly more upscale location found at Grand road, Puri | 950 m from Shree Jagannath Temple.
3. The Yellow Hotels ByFestin: Found just 18 minutes away from the iconic beachline of Puri is the Yellow Hotels of Festin. This hotel features AC rooms, electric tea pots, safety deposit boxes, and even bid linen to make your stay super comfortable. It can be found at Grand Road 4th Floor, Guru Empires, Grand Rd, Above Food Court, 752001Puri, India.
Visiting the Famous JagannathPuri Beach
The Puri Beach, while definitely linked closely to the stunning Jagannath Temple found just a few minutes away from it, is also a great tourist attraction in its own right. Golden sand, great wind the entire day, and beautiful waters lapping away at the shores make this a great place to get a tan in the morning. And when it’s evening, hire a deck chair and enjoy the silence of the sea while drinking straight from a coconut, or check out the evening bazaars that often decorate Puri Beach in the evening.
How To Reach Puri
- Reaching Puri By Air: Puri doesn’t have its own airport, and is instead serviced by flights landing at Bhubaneswar Airport 53 kilometres away. Once you land there, taxis going to Puri are spread around everywhere, and will generally charge a couple thousand for the trip.
- Reaching Puri By Road: Local transport buses that run to the town from nearby states, tourist packages offered at reasonable prices, and even taxi cabs offer daily rides to Puri.
- Reaching Puri By Rail: A bustling rail station has led to trains being the most commonly chosen form of transport for reaching Puri. You can find trains to Puri from most major Indian cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, and others.
Best Time To Visit Jagannath Puri
Puri is thronged with visitors year round, even in the winter months. With that said, to get the best weather, visit Puri in the winter months of October to February, when the weather is cool and pleasant, the temples are a little more vacant, and more importantly, the tourism tide starts to ebb a bit.
Puri Food Guide
Here’s a look at Puri’smouth watering cuisine:
- Khicede: A Puri twist on the traditional Indian dish, this is made with equal parts rice and lentils to create a dish that is tasty, delicious, and gorgeous with a couple of papads.
- Malpua: These malpuas aren’t the ones you’re normally going to see, since these are made with delicious ingredients like bananas, coconuts, and cardamom to create a dish that melts in your mouth.
- Ukhuda: Ukhuda is another staple alongside Khicedeon the prasad menu in Puri, and is essentially fried puffed rice sweetened with jaggery.
- Pitha: Pitha is a sweet dish made of rice, and one where you’ll find endless variety. ArisaPitha, EnduriPitha, ChakuliPitha, and many other types are just the tip of the iceberg.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the jagannathpuri nearest airport?
Ans: It is Bhubaneswar Airport, located 53 kilometres away.
Q: What is the jagannathpuri nearest railway station?
Ans: Puri has it’s own railway station that sees many trains from major trains come through in a single day.
Q: Which state is JagannathPuri in?
Ans: Puri is in the Indian state of Odisha, a vacation state that houses some of India’s best beaches.
Q: What is jagannathpuri is famous for?
Ans: Definitely for the Jagannath temple, which is 200 feet tall and sees crowds approaching ten thousand people every day.
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