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| Sri Jagannath swami Temple Puri |
| Jagannath Temple is the biggest temples of Orissa, dedicated to
Jagannath (Krishna) and located in the coastal town of Puri. Jagannath (Lord of
the Universe) is a combination of the Sanskrit words Jagat (Universe) and Nath
(Lord of). The credit for laying the foundation of the Jagannath temple of Puri
goes to Raja Ananta Varman Chodaganga Dev and temple is established in the 12th
century. The temple is sacred to the Vaishnava traditions and saint Ramananda
who was closely associated with the temple. For many Hindu traditions and
worshippers of Krishna and Vishnu the temple is an important pilgrimage
destination. |
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| Annual Rath Yatra or chariot festival in which the three main
temple deities are hauled on huge and elaborately decorated chariots is one of
the main attractions of the temple and festival celebrated with at most
devotion. Anantavarman Chodaganga Dev, the ruler of Kalinga initiated foundation
of the Jagannath temple. |
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| During reign (1078 - 1148 CE) the Jagamohana and the Vimana
portions of the temple were built. The Orissan ruler Ananga Bhima Deva rebuilt
the temple in the year 1174 CE. |
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| Near a fig tree in the form of an Indranila or the Blue Jewel
original image of Jagannath, a deity form of Krishna was found. Dharma wanted to
hide it in the earth as it was so dazzling. King Indradyumna of Malwa performed
harsh penances to obtain the image. As per the lord vishnu�s order the King
found the log of wood and prepared images of Krishna, Balarama and Subhadra from
the tree. |
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A Buddhist stupa existed at the present site
theorized by some archaeologists before it was transported to its present
location in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Buddhism was assimilated within the Vaishnava
fold, around that period when Jagganath worship gained popularity.
A massive amount of
gold and
Kohinoor, the most precious and greatest diamond in the world was
donated to the temple by Maharaja
Ranjit Singh, the great Sikh emperor.
Covering an area of over 400,000 square feet, the huge temple
complex is surrounded by a high fortified wall. The temple contains at least 120
temples and shrines.
It is one of the most magnificent monuments of India with its sculptural
richness and fluidity of the Orissan style of temple architecture. |
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| A curvilinear temple and crowning the top is the 'srichakra' (a
eight spoked wheel) of Vishnu is the great architecture. "Nilachakra", made out
of Ashtadhatu is considered sacrosanct. On a raised platform of stone, the
temple tower was built rising to 214 feet (65 m) above the inner sanctum
dominating the surrounding landscape. Adjoining halls, or mandapas and the
pyramidal roofs of the surrounding temples is raised in steps toward the tower
like a ridge of mountain peaks. |
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A 20 feet (6.1 m) high wall encloses the main
shrine. The gate is guarded by two lions and magnificent sixteen-sided
monolithic pillar sits in front of the main gate.
The trinity of deities central forms of Jagannath, Balabhadra and
the goddess Subhadra sitting on the bejeweled platform in the inner sanctum.
Thousands of people attend the festival held in the temple premises. Rath Yatra
or the Chariot festival in June is the most important festival. Procession of
three huge chariots bearing the images of Jagannath, Balarama and Subhadra
through the streets of Puri is part of this spectacular festival.[16] |
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| How to Reach Puri |
| Puri can be reached by air at its nearest airport in
Bhubaneswar, which is 56 km away. The Puri railway station is a major railway
station having links with several of the important cities in India. The railway
station is accessible from the main town area by almost all the modes of local
transport. We provide complete travel packages for Puri that are complete with
hotel and air bookings, as well as transport services for the entire duration of
your tour. |
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