Jagannath Puri Temple is a must visit Temple in Kali Yuga- Shri !
Shri Jagannath Puri temple
It is one of the chaar Dhams. It is said that one must do these Chaar Dhams- Jagannath Puri, Rameshwaram, Dwarkadheesh and Badrinath to achieve moksha/salvation.
Jagannath Puri is one of the most treasured and sacred Hindu Temples in India. Its said that Sri Krishna’s living heart is there still beating in the murti.
The story says that one devoted Raja- Indradyumna did not see his God Bhagwan Nila Madhav after many prayers. He then decided to lie on Kusa grass and fast until death if he doesn’t see the God Nila Madhav. Raja was blessed to get instructed by his God in his dream about his presence in the wooden form that he could get carved in the form of his murti.
After trials by many sculptors, no one could cut open the log. Then Lord Vishwakarma disguised in the form of a Brahman promised to make the murti of all three brother sisters- Sri Bal Ram, Subhadra Ji and Sri Krishna. He laid a condition that the entry in his karyashala would be prohibited for 21 days. The Raja and Rani kept the promise until 14th day. They could not hear any noise of any activity from the day one. So, they got suspicious and broke open the door. There was no one in the room and murtis were only partially completed with arms not extended to elbows resembling half arms of all three lords.
Upon searching everywhere, both King and Queen could not find Lord Vishwakarma. The Lord had left as both King and Queen had broken their promise.
Raja was disheartened at the situation when he again dreamt of God. God asked the king to set murtis in the temple on as is basis as he wanted murtis in that form only.
It’s also said that on the stairs of the Jagannath Puri temple there is a lot of noise of the ocean and inside the temple there is zero noise. It is because Lord Vishnu wanted to stay in peace. So its said that the air around the temple revolves in the opposite direction of the air that is coming from the sea. So the temple inside is not having any sound from sea. Hanuman Ji is revolving the air in the opposite direction.
This temple is one of the most visited pilgrimage of India and pilgrims from all over the world visit this place to take blessings of Lord Krishna. The campus has many small temples.
One should specifically step on the yamshila (black stair) while getting inside the temple to wash off all the sins in life. It is the third step of the Baisi Pahacha (22 steps) and must never step on the same while coming out of the temple. Otherwise, it may lead to the wiping of the blessings received in the temple.
There is a ‘Jhanda Arohan’ ceremony in which two people climb up the temple to hoist the flag on the top of the temple. First half of the journey is by climbing and second half of the journey they do reverse climbing. It’s an interesting ceremony to witness as many pilgrims offer their flags to hois on the top of the temple.
It said that this temple‘s kitchen is the largest kitchen in the world and one must have food there at least once. There is a lot of crowd in the temple. If somebody wants to visit during less rush hours it should be at 6:30 AM or 3:30 PM. You must stay near Jagannath Puri temple if you wish to visit it multiple times during your stay. It gives a lot of satisfaction and contentment after visiting the temple. We wanted to go there multiple times. So we stayed at a short distance away from the temple at the Golden Palace. We used to cover the distance by electric rickshaw. There are many guides or pandas around to help you visit the temple. Always go with the hotel Panda to be safe.
It is good to understand the history behind the temple. There is a big iron pillar which you must bow your head over. There is Divya Jyoti you should take a round there and then visit the temple.
Support your elders and children because in the temple crowd. The elders and children might get anxious because of the crowd if you are going in peak hours.
The temple runs battery operated vehicles for senior citizens. There is a small market around that area where one can buy small stuff as souveniers. Its a long market where vendors are sitting on ground with their products on the ground spread on sheets. There is a wide variety of products like Shankh (conch shell), bangles, toy boats and many more.
Shri Jagannath Ji Mandir
Overall, its a blessing to visit the temple and see Jagannath Bhagwan, Balram Ji and Subhadra Ji. The feelings of witnessing them remains forever and gives you a reason to visit multiple times.
Every year Jagannath Rath Yatra happens in which three murtis of Lord Jagannath, Balram Ji and Subhadra Ji are taken in the chariot to visit their Aunt’s place, Gundicha Temple which is considered to be the Birthplace of Lord Jagannath. The nine-day festival begins with the main chariot procession and concludes with the deities returning to the Jagannath Temple. In 2023, 10lakh to 13 lakh people too part in the procession.
Jagannath Rath Yatra
How to visit Jagannath Puri
You could go by Air, Train or Road. If you go by Air, you would be landing at the Bhuvaneshwar Airport. Check this link by the government
Where to stay
These days accomodations to suit all pockets are available right from Dharamshalas to five star properties. You could check all the stay options online. Check this link by the authorities
Nidhi KM
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