Jagannath Puri is the last destination of my visit to Bhubaneswar. I have heard from my grandfather that everyone should visit Kedarnath, Somnath, Rameshwaram and Jagannath Puri once in his life. These places are count in auspicious Chardham visit.
It is said that the visit of these places provided Moksh to some one.No one can say about Moksh.In my opinion, live in this world in a detached manner. Uninterrupted to everything.Like oil and water. Is it so easy? Try it.
I reached Puri, which is 35 Km from Konark. It was a nice taxi journey along with the sea.
Where is Jagannath Puri Temple?
Jagannath Temple Puri is a well-known destination among tourists as well as pilgrims. It is situated at Puri of Odisha state.
Puri is a well-known district city of Odisha. It is connected to another part of the country by rail and road. Puri has itself railway station. Trains for/from other cities are available. Tourist bus, taxi and state bus service available from Bhubaneswar, Konark and other cities. The nearest airport, Biju Patnayak airport at Bhubaneswar is 57 Km.
Peep in history
When we saw or standing in front of an old temple, the first question strike in our mind who built, who built Jagannath temple.
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| Image credit to R.J.Rituuraj |
The temple was built by King Indradyumana of the Ganga Dynasty. It is said that Indradyumana invites Lord Brahma for the inauguration. It took a long time due to the mediation of Lord Brahma. In the meantime, another king Gala Madhav showed right on the temple. Lord Brahma gave a decision in favor of king Indradyumana.
The king heard a voice in his dream that prepared idol from a floating wooden log. A big wooden log found floating in the sea. King Indradyumana invited Vishkarma to built the idol.
Vishwakarma put a condition that no one will see when I prepare the idol. One day there was no sound of preparation heard from the carpenter room. King and his wife were shocked, what happens? They went into the room, the idols were incomplete. carpenter according to the condition had gone.
King heard a voice established the idols in the temple as it is. Accordingly, wooden idols are present in the temple.
The present temple reconstructed by King Anant Verma during the 10th century.
I am standing in front of the temple. The temple has four gates in each direction. They called Singh Dwar, Ashwa Dwar, Hathi Dwar, and Vyaghra Dwar. Each gate denotes an animal. Singh Dwar means lion gate. Ashwa Dwar means horse gate. Hathi Dwar means elephant gate. Vyaghra Dwar means the tiger gate.
Singh Dwar is the main entrance of the temple.
Arun Stambh
Near the Singh Dwar, Arun Stambh is established. The Arun Stambh brought here from Konark Sun Temple when it's turned in ruin condition.
The temple is 214 feet high. The temple complex speared at 10.7 acres. As we entered, there is Baisi Pahaca. Actually, these are 22 steps. The temple has three main part as below
1. Grab a Griha (Sanctum)
2. Jagmohan(hall)
3. Bhog Mandap(dining)
The main deities of the temple are Shri Jagannath, Balbhadra and goddess Subhadra. The idols are made of wooden which replaced after twelve or eighteen years.
Many other temples dedicated to various Hindu God/goddess are situated in the temple complex.
Nilachakra
Nilachakra is established at the top of the temple. It is made of Ashta Dhatu (eight metal) The circumference of the Chakra is 36 feet. The specialty of the Chakra is that its face always towards the viewer, whether any direction he would see.
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| Image credit to Sudeep Pramanik |
Flag wave opposite the wind
I have noticed a strange thing that the flag on auspicious Nilachakra always waved in the opposite direction of the wind. The reason for this astonishment nobody knows. A scientist may tell about this. A priest climbed at the top of the temple and changed the flag every day.
Birds can't fly over the temple
All of us observed that there are so many birds found near the temple. They sit on the dome of the temple, make their nest and freely hovered in temple premises.
You will not see any birds flying above the temple dome or sitting at the dome. Astonishing but true. Come here and become the witness of this miracle.
Bhog Mandap
The huge Bhog Mandap is there in the temple. We can say the biggest kitchen in the world.
Priests can prepare food for 200000 people immediately. The Bhog prepared in the traditional method in a clay pitcher. The food of pot at the top becomes ready first, thereafter of the next pot and so on. The food at the bottom prepared at last while it is nearest to the fire.
The Bhog offered to Lord Jagannath, Balbhadra and Goddess Subhadra six times a day. Thereafter it(Parsad) distributed among the pilgrims.
Darshan(seen) Timing
The temple Opened early in the morning at 5.00 A.M. till late at night. As per the rule of temple administration, only Hindus are allowed in the temple. Pilgrims can go near the idols and take Prikarma (move around) of idols.
Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra
Rath Yatra(chariot journey) is the main function of the temple. Not only temple but it is the main festival of Odisha state. Thousands of pilgrims visitors from all parts of the country as well as from foreign attend the function.
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| Image credit to G.U.Tolkiehn |
Every year three new Rath for Lord Jagannath, Balbhadra and goddess Subhadra prepared. The details of these Rath are as below-
hight Wheels
Jagannath Rath. 44 feet 2 inches. 16
Balbhadra Rath 43 feet 3 inches. 14
Subhadra Rath. 42 feet 3 inches. 12
The preparation of Rath started on Akshaya Tritiya with a great function. Rath Yatra started on Ditiya Ashad Shulk every year.
The first ritual is Chhera Phehra, in which King sweeps all around the temple and path (way) of Rath Yatra with a golden broom.
Lord Jagannath, Balbhadra and goddess Subhadra proceed to Gundicha temple which is at a distance of 3 Km. The order of Rath is as, First Rath of Balbhadra, second Rath of Goddess Subhadra and last Rath of Lord Jagannath They stay here for 7 days. Gundicha temple is the temple where the first time idols of deities were prepared. Sweets and Bhog offered to the deity during this period.
On the way of returning Lord, Jagannath stays at Mousi maa (mother's sister) temple. Here Poda Pitha (a kind of sweet prepared from rice) offered to Lord Jagannath.
Goddess Laxmi Gets Angry
In the meantime, the goddess Laxmi gets angry due to a long stay at Mousi Maa. On the fifth day, she reached Gundicha temple in anger.
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| Image credit to Krupasindhu Muduli |
All the functions and rituals performed with zealous great pomp and show. The touching and pulling the rope of Rath is very auspicious. It is huge crowded so be careful.
Raths returned to the temple in the same way as they proceed. First Balbhadra Rath, second Subhadra Rath and at last Lord Jagannath Rath.
After performing all the rituals, deities gave new clothes and ornaments. They again established in the temple.
Puri Beach.
The longest beach of India popular both in pilgrims and visitors. The beach is near about 2 Km from Jagannath temple. Pilgrims took a bath in sea to become pure before darshan (seen) of Lord Jagannath. They want to leave all the sins in the sea. Trust is the biggest thing. Yes, it is possible if your will power is strong.
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| Image credit to Sailesh Patnaik |
Simultaneously tourist has an attraction to this beach from all part of the country as well as from abroad.
You can enjoy all kinds of water sports here. Clam and quite golden sand beaches give an amazing experience. Both sunrise and sunset may be observed at the beach.
Puri Sand Beach festival arranged in the month of November every year by the tourism department. Sand sculptures of the artist along with world fame sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik show their art on sand.
You can see here the numbers of vendors selling seafood and other items along with decorative items of stone pearl and coral.
Walking slowly along the beach or sitting anywhere, and heard ripple noise. I deeply joined this and felt this is not a noise but a rhythm of the water. The whole atmosphere is adorable. You can take the fishing experience at a nearby fisherman village.
Where is Chilka Jheel
Chilka Jheel is my next and last point of touch. It is the biggest saltwater lake in India. The lake spends at 1100 sq. kilometer.
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| Image credit to govt.of Odisha |
The Jheel is actually is a part of the sea which was separated by the mud of Mahanadi (river). The lake is famous for migrated birds. They came here from a long distance of 12000 kilometers. Everywhere the chirping of birds. The flock of birds from water level to Teela (high place among water, hummock) and back to touch water is adorable.
If you are lucky, you can see a dolphin at Satpada dolphin point.
Kalijai Temple is another famous point.we can reach here by boat or small Steamer. The temple is dedicated to goddess Kalimata. The Chilka Jheel is not only a tourist spot but it is also an earning of thousand of villagers and fishermen.
The sunrise and sunset at Chilka Jheel are mesmerizing.
Your suggestions in the comment box are valuable for me. If you like the post, kindly share it among your friends by pressing the share button <: below. You will like my post-Konark Surya Mandir.
Reference
-Wikipedia
-Odisha tourism website
Your suggestions in the comment box are valuable for me. If you like the post, kindly share it among your friends by pressing the share button <: below. You will like my post-Konark Surya Mandir.
Reference
-Wikipedia
-Odisha tourism website
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