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The Puri Jagannath Temple is located on the gentle slope of the Nila hill, adjacent to the sea. The temple of Jagannathji is located at a distance of 60 km from Bhubaneswar, on the coast of Bay of Bengal, and is greatly revered by the devotees who follow the Vaishnava traditions.

There is a sacred banyan tree which is revered as a manifestation of Vishnu, the ocean - Balarama and a pool- the king Indradyumna. Piligrims here are required to offer worship first at a Shiva temple, and then at the banyan tree and then at the shrine to Balarama before proceding to worship Jagannath. And then Subhadra is to be worshipped next.

The Jagannath Puri temple was originally built by the then Kalinga ruler Anantavarman Chodaganga (1078 - 1148 CE). Much of the present structure was built by King Ananga Bhima Deva in the year 1174 CE which was in 12the century. It took 14 years to complete the construction of the temple and was consecrated in 1198 CE. It is believed that the image of Lord Jagannathji was buried thrice in the Chilka Lake for protection from invaders.

Jagannath Puri represents one of the four peethas established by Sankaracharya, the other ones being Sringeri in south India, Dwarka in Saurashtra, and Badrinath in the Himalayas. The great Ramananda of the 14th century - a follower of the Sri Vaishnava religious leader Ramanuja, is also associated with the Jagannath temple.

The vast temple complex of Jagannath Puri occupies an area of over 400000 square feet, and is been bounded by a 20 feet high fortified wall. The temple complex contains about 120 temples and shrines. The special shikhara of the Jagannath temple towers to a height of 192 feet.

Structurally the temple consists of four chambers. The outermost is called the Bhogmandir, the next is the Nata-mandir pillared hall for music and dance, then the next is the Jagamohana - or the mandapa where devotees gather for worship and the last is the sanctum or the Deul enshrining the deities.

Jagannath Temple in puri is one of the most renowned as well as the biggest temples of Orissa. It was established in the 12th century and is been dedicated to Lord Jagannath (Lord Krishna), Lord of the Universe. The man behind laying the foundation of the Jagannath temple of Puri is Raja Ananta Varman Chodaganga Dev.

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

The pillars of temple that provide support are adorned with pictures depicting the life of Lord Krishna. One of the most popular and famous attractions of the Jagannatha Temple of Puri comprises of Rath Yatra which is organized every year. It is the most popular chariot festival, where idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, who are 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. Legend has it that the original image of Jagannath was found at the foot of a fig tree, in the form of an Indranila or the Blue Jewel. Due to its blinking brightness it prompted Dharma to request it to be hidden in the earth. King Indradyumna of the Malwa state who is intending to discover this image, performed severe penances, and was instructed by Vishnu to go to the Puri seashore, and look for a floating log, and fashion an image from its trunk.


The Jagannathji temple gets open at 5am and is open till midnight. At 1 in noon the gates are closed for about a half an hour.

The best time to visit the temple is during the Rath-Yatra. Otherwise devotees can visit Puri Jagannath during Oct.-April.

There would be elaborate worship services which are carried out throughout the day here. There are as many as 24 festivals each year being celebrated the most important one of them being the Rath Yatra which is the famous Chariot festival in the month June - July. The spectacular chariot festival involves the lord's procession of three colossal chariots bearing the images of Jagannath, Balarama and Subhadra through the streets of city of Puri.

Jagannathji's chariot is a 35 feet square which rises to a height of 45 feet, with 16 wheels, 7 feet in diameter. There are would be More than 4000 people to drag the chariot. Hundreds of thousands gather from all over the country to witness this auspicious festival. The chariot is dragged to the deity's summer abode where the deities are worshipped for a week, and then a re-enactment of the chariot festival, where they are brought back in procession happens. New chariots are made each year.

• The different rituals carried in the Jagannath Temple are the "DWARPHITA & MANGAL ALATI " which is at 5 A.M. Soon after the opening of the door the sacred lamps is offered to the deities which is called "Mangal Alati".


• Then later "MAILAM" is done at 6 A.M. The word "Mailam" is used in Shri Jagannath Temple, which means change or removal of dresses and flowers etc. during time some specific sevaks change the clothes, flowers, Tulasi leaves of the deities worn on the previous night.


• Then "ABAKASH" is done from 6 A.M. TO 6.30 A.M. Which are the Purificatory rites like brushing of teeth and bath is known as "Abakash ".


• "SAHANAMELA " from 7A.M. TO 8 A.M. Though this is not a part of the rituals, but about one hour is been spent to facilitate pilgrims to go up to "Ratnavedi” or inner sanctums to have a Darshan, without paying fees for it.


• " BESHALAGI " is done at 8 A.M. After Sahanamela the deities are again been dressed up which can be witnessed from a little distance i.e." Bhitara Katha ".


• ROSHA HOMA, SURYA PUJA, AND DWARAPAL PUJA are done from 8 A.M. to 8.30 A.M. While some sevayats would be busy with vesha lagi of the Deities, Pujapandas at that time perform "Rosha Homa "(Fire Sacrifice) are at the kitchen and "Surya puja "at the surya temple near "Mukti Mandap ".


• GOPALA BALLAVA PUJA - 9 A.M. (which is the Breakfast of the God) the prescribed time for this is 9 A.M. This is the time for breakfast of the deities


• Then SAKALA DHUPA (MORNING FOOD OFFERING) 10 A.M. At this time puja jrtr is performed by three main Pujapandas with 16 Upachars or Sodasha Upachars.


• MAILAM & BHOGA MANDAP: 11 A.M. After Morning Dhupa or Puja the Deities changed their Clothes "and again Puja takes places in "Bhoga Mandap ", a place behind the Garuda pillar of Jagamohan.


• MADHYANHA DHUPA (Afternoon food offering) 11A.M. to 1 P.M. Like Sakal Dhupa, this puja is also performed with Sodasa Upachar in the afternoon.


• MADHYANHA PAHUDHA 1 P.M. to 1.30 P.M. If rituals have been performed in time and if time permits, the Deities retire for the afternoon.


• SANDHYA ALATI In the evening again sacred lamps are offered to the deities after Madhyana Dhupa Mailam. 14. SANDHYA DHUPA - 7 P.M. to 8 P.M.

Every day there area about 5 bhogas which are been offered to the Lords, these are "Gopala-Ballava"(Break fast), "Sakal Dhupa" "Madhyana Dhupa" "Sandhya Dhupa" and "Badasinghar Dhupa". The details of these Dhupas are given above in the rituals.

Puri, the land of Lord Jagannathji is been well known for its pristine beaches, colorful festivals, and the numerous points of tourist attraction. Every year millions of tourists across this globe come here for leisure, pleasure and devotion. The Jagannathji Temple Administration has keeping in mind the needs of the devotees, has come up with "Nilachal Bhakta Nivas” a brand new guest house. Right on the Grand Road and adjacent to the temple, the guest house has great locational advantages. It is only minutes away from the railway station, bus stop and the beach.

One can pick from a range of luxury and budget hotels in Puri. Besides, star categorized hotels around the in Puri offer excellent view of the landmarks through their suites. Most of the places to stay and explore in Puri are located in the pilgrim centers or near the railway station which is very much facilitated.

Nearby tourist places to Jagannath temple Puri Ranchi Rourkela

• Through Air the city of Puri can be reached by air as its nearest airport is in Bhubaneswar which 56 km away. There are Regular buses and trains service is available from Bhubaneswar to Puri.


• Through Rail the Puri railway station is a major railway station and is well connected with almost all the major cities of India.


• Through Roadwaysthe city of Puri is connected with Bhubaneshwar, Konark, Berhampur, Taptapani, Sambalpur and Kolkata by road.