Jagannath puri Yatra

Country:             India
State:                 Odisha
District:              Puri
Location:-           Puri

The Jagannath Temple:-

*  The Jagannath Temple in Puri is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath 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 Sanskrit words Jagat (Universe) and Nath (Lord of) and also, the word "Jagannatha" is evolved from "Jagati" (as an elevated platform or "Ratnabedi" on which the wooden form of Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra are worshiped on or the temple or its precincts inside the "Narendra Pokhari" and "Natha" (means "Lord").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 is expected to make 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. 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 decorated temple cars. Since medieval times, it is also associated with intense religious fervour

History of Jagannath Temple:-
*  Jagannath Temple is one of the most renowned as well as the biggest temples of Orissa. Established in the 12th century, the temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath (Lord Krishna), Lord of the Universe. The credit for laying the foundation of the Jagannath temple of Puri goes to Raja Ananta Varman Chodaganga Dev. The temple is located at a distance of 60 km from Bhubaneswar, on the coast of Bay of Bengal, and is greatly revered by the devotees following the Vaishnava traditions.

*  There is an interesting legend associated with the Jagannatha temple of Puri. It is said that King Indradyumna, the ruler of the territory, saw Lord Jagannath in his dreams and following the Lord's wishes, as told to him in his dreams, he got the Jagannath Puri Temple constructed. Situated in the heart of the holy city, the temple is visited by devotees from farthest corners of India as well as the world. It exudes splendor and its tall spires lend it a magnificent aura. The walls are embellished with exquisite carvings.

*  The pillars that provide support to the temple are adorned with pictures depicting the life of Lord Krishna. In the list of the most splendid monuments of Orissa, Jagannath temple occupies a supreme position. One of the most popular attractions of the Jagannatha Temple of Puri comprises of its Rath Yatra that is organized every year. It is basically a chariot festival, where idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, the main deities of Srimandir, are taken to the Gundicha temple in bejeweled chariots and are brought back to the mandir in the same way.

Architecture of Jagannath Temple:-
*  The architecture of the temple follows the pattern of many Orissan temples of the classical period. The main shikhara, or tower, rises above the inner sanctum where the deities reside. Subsidiary shikharas rise above ante-halls. The temple complex is surrounded by a wall, on each side of which is a gopura or gate, over which rises a pyramid-shaped roof. Being the largest temple in the state, it has a complex covering several square blocks with dozens of structures including a mammoth kitchen.
*  The main temple structure of this architectural and cultural wonder is 65m (214 feet) high and is built on elevated ground, making it look more imposing. Comprising an area of 10.7 acres, the temple complex is enclosed by two rectangular walls. The outer enclosure is called Meghanada Prachira, 200m (665 ft) by 192m (640 ft). The inner wall is called Kurmabedha, 126m (420 ft) by 95m (315 ft). There are thirty-six traditional communities (Chatisha Niyaga) who render a specific hereditary service to the deities. The temple has as many as 6,000 priests.

*  There is a wheel on top of the Jagannath Temple made of an alloy of eight metals (asta-dhatu). It is called the Nila Chakra (Blue Wheel), and is 3.5m (11 ft 8 in) high with a circumference of about 11m (36 ft). Every day, a different flag is tied to a mast attached to the Nila Chakra. Every Ekadasi, a lamp is lit on top of the temple near the wheel. There are four gates: the eastern Singhadwara (Lion Gate), the southern Ashwadwara (Horse Gate), the western Vyaghradwara (Tiger Gate), and the northern Hastidwara (Elephant Gate). There is a carving of each form by the entrance of each gate. The Lion Gate, which is the main gate, is located on Grand Road. Thirty different smaller temples surround the main temple. The Narasimha Temple, adjacent to the western side of the Mukti-mandapa, is said to have been constructed before this temple even.
Char Dham:-
Badrinath temple., Rameswaram Gopuram., Dwarkadheesh temple.,Jagannath Puri.
The temple is one of the holiest Hindu Char Dham (four divine sites) sites comprising Rameswaram, Badrinath, Puri and Dwarka.Though the origins are not clearly known, the Advaita school of Hinduism propagated by Sankaracharya, who created Hindu monastic institutions across India, attributes the origin of Char Dham to the seer. The four monasteries lie across the four corners of India and their attendant temples are Badrinath Temple at Badrinath in the North, Jagannath Temple at Puri in the East, Dwarakadheesh Temple at Dwarka in the West and Ramanathaswamy Temple at Rameswaram in the South.

Security:-
The security at the 12th century Jagannath Temple is beefed up ahead of Ratha Yatra, the homecoming festival of the deities of Jagannath temple. In the wake of terror alert on 27 June 2012, the security forces were increased to ensure smooth functioning of the crowded Ratha Yatra and Suna Besha

Puja Timing in Jagannath Temple:-
 

Dwarpitha and Mangal Aarati at 5 a.m

• Mailam at 6 a.m.
• Abakash - 6 a.m. to 6.30 a.m.
• Mailam 6.45 a.m.
• Sahanamela - 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
• Beshalagi at 8 a.m.
• Rosha Homa Surya Puja and Dwarapal- at 8 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.
• Gopala Ballava Puja-at 9 a.m.
• Sakala Dhupa(Morning food offering)at 10 a.m
• Mailam and Bhoga Mandap:
• Madhyanha (Afternoon food offering) at 11 A.M. to 1 P.M.
• Madhyanha Pahudha - at 1 p.m. to 1.30 p.m
• Sandhya Aarati
• Sandhya Dhupa - at 7 p.m. to 8 p.m
• Mailam and Chandana lagi
• Badashringar Vesha
• Badashringara Bhoga
• Khata Seja Lagi and Pahuda 12.00

Festivals celebrated in Jagannath Temple:-

There are festivals celebrated at the temple all throughout the year.

• Chandan yatra - chaitra Masarambha
• Sneha yatra - Jyestha Paurnima
• Rath yatra - shravan shukla
• Jhulan yatra
• Dashami to chaturdashi
• Karkat or dakshinayana sankranti
• Chitalagi amabashya - Shravana
• Rahurekha lagi - Bhadraba
• Krishnana janma
• Saptapuri amabashya - Bhadraba
• Ganesh chaturthi - Bhadraba
• Rishi Panchami - Bhadraba 5th day
• Radhastami - Bhadraba - 8th day
• Parswava Parivartan - bhadraba 11th day
• Bamam janma or sunia - bhadraba - 12th day
• Anant chaturdashi - 1st sep bhadraba,14th day
• Indra govinda puja - 2nd sep bhadraba full moon day
• Sahasra kumbha mela - ashwina 8th day
• Dasahara - ashwina
• Kumar purnima - ashwina

Nere by Places :-

Raghurajpu:-

*  Raghurajpur is 12Km from Puri on Bhubaneswar road in 203 National highway, near Chandanpur. One has to take a right turn from Chandanpur Bazar by noticing the Orissa Tourism signage to Raghurajpur. Famous for Pattachitra, Raghurajpur - the artisans’ village, is a living museum itself. Every household has a painter and can show you lavishly painted, the age-old tradition paintings on canvas, skil (tassar) and other varieties like papier mache, masks, stone idols, sculptures, wooden idils and toys

Pipili:- 

*  Futher ahead on the National highway 40 Km from Puri one can reach Pipili, again a craft village for Applique work. One can find a series of shops decorated with many applique works with bright colors. The varieties are like umbrellas, lamps shades, wall cloths, table covers, sofa covers, children cloths, bad covers and many more. These are prepared by skilled craft persons, perhaps, a remnant of Mughal days. People love to see the varieties they even like to purchase the handicrafts.

Konark:-

*  From Puri, one can visit the World Heritage Monument-- Konark Temple, 35 Km on the Marine Drive. One can enjoy the natural beauty of the Marine Drive while driving. On the way, there are a few scenic spots with Temple, like Beleswar (14Km) and Ramachandi. While driving from Puri, you can cross Tosali Sand Resorts, a luxurious hotel. On approaching Konark, one can see the beauty of the sea at Chandrabhaga, which is regarded as Tirtha also. Here, sunrise is very beautiful and enchanting. This is 3 km away from Konark. 

Gundicha Temple:-
*  The most important sanctuary of the Lord Jagannath is the Gundicha Temple--the abode to Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra. Except for these few days, it is unoccupied. But there is a small establishment of servants by whom it is regularly maintained. It is situated at the other end of the great highway (Badadanda).

Astachandi Temple:-
*  The eight Chandis--collectively called Astachandi--are Bata Mangala, Bimala, Sarvamangal, Ardhasani, Alamba, Dakshinakalika, Marichika and Harachandi.
Jameswara Temple:-
This is again a temple of 11-11th Century A.D. Located on the extreme end of Harichandi Street; it houses Jameswara Siva, who protects this holy land from the influence of Yama. On the other hand, it is known as Yamanaka Tirtha. Again this temple is one of the historical evidences, if analyzed, can get a lot of evidence of the culture of Puri. Besides, there are many religious shrines and sanctuaries found in each and every street of Puri. There are Ashrams of saints like Pandu, Angira, Bhrigu and Nigamananda and others also found in the different areas.

How To Reach at Jagannath 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.