About Puri Jagannath Temple
Shree Jagannath Temple, or Jagannath Puri Temple, is the famous Hindu pilgrimage temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath. Jagannath Temple is located in the coastal town of Puri, in Odisha, India.
Jagannath means ‘Lord of the Universe’ in Sanskrit. Puri Jagannath Temple is important, particularly to Lord Krishna and Vishnu’s worshipers. Puri Jagannath Temple is part of the Char Dham pilgrimage or Chardham, which a Hindu is expected to make in one’s lifetime. Char means four in the Hindi language. The four Hindu temples in the Char Dham package tour are Rameswaram, Badrinath, Dwarka, and this temple at Puri.
The temple is sacred to the Vaishnavites. Gaudiya Vaishnavism’s founder, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, was attracted to the Puri deity. He lived in Puri for many years. Jagannath Puri Temple is the only temple in India where Lord Krishna’s sister, Goddess Subhadra, is work-shipped. Goddess Subhadra along with her brothers Lord Krishna and Lord Balabhadra are worshipped here. Lord Krishna is worshipped as Lord Jaganatha in this temple.
Rath Jatra Festival or Rath Yatra
The annual Puri Rath Yatra, or Chariot Festival, since medieval times, is very famous and attracts millions of devotees. The three main deities, Jagannath, Balabhadra, and the goddess Subhadra, are taken as a procession in this festival. Names like Gundicha Jatra, Ghosa Jatra, Dasavatara Jatra, Dasavatara Jatra, and Jagannath Rath Yatra are used for the annual procession.
Entry Restrictions at Jagannath Puri Temple
Practising Hindus of non-Indian descent and Hindus of non-Indian origin are excluded from entering the temple premises. Those who are denied entry can view God Jagannath from the roof of the nearby Raghunandan Library at the main entrance to the temple.
Dhanu Sankranti
Mid-December marks Dhanu Sankranti, an important Odia festival that ushers in the Pahili Bhoga ritual at Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, continuing until Makar Sankranti. This period symbolizes Maa Mahalakshmi’s visit to her parental home, during which Mahaprabhu is offered Pahili Bhoga prepared with motherly devotion. The offering comprises 23 traditional delicacies, including Bada Jhili, Kakera, Aarisa, Enduri, Manda, Ladu, Gajaa, and Chuda Puaa, reflecting deep cultural and spiritual significance.
Note: Dhanu is a month in the regional calendars of some regions of India.
How to Reach Shree Jagannath Temple?
Puri is an important terminus among the railway stations in India, one kilometer north of the town. There are direct trains to most parts of India from Puri. The railway station code for Puri is ‘PURI’, on the website of the Official railway ticket booking site, irctc.co.in.
There are direct bus services to Kolkotta, Visakhapatnam, and many other cities. Frequent buses are there to nearby cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Cycle rickshaws are available. You can hire a bicycle or a motorcycle and go around the city.
Bhubaneswar Airport is the nearest airport to Shree Jagannath Temple, 60 kilometers away.