Temples in Puri
Lord Jagannatha Temple
The name Jagannatha literally means Lord of the Universe. It is said that present temple was begun by King Chora Ganga Deva and finished by his descendant, Anangabhima Deva, in the 12th century.
The main temple structure is 65m (214 feet) high and is built on elevated ground, which makes it look even larger and adds to the imposing impression you get as you first come within sight of the temple. The temple complex comprises an area of 10.7 acres and is enclosed by two rectangular walls. The outer enclosure Meghanada Prachira (665 x 640 feet). The walls are 6 meters (20 feet) high. The inner wall is called Kurmabedha (420 x 315 feet). The walls were built 15th or 16th century.
This temple is said to have the largest kitchen in the world and feeds thousands of devotees every day. The kitchen can prepare food for 100,000 people on a festival day and 25,000 is not unusual for a normal day. There are 36 traditional communities (Chatisha Niyaga) who render a specific hereditary service to the Deities. The temple has as many as 6,000 priests.
There is a wheel on top of the Jaganatha Temple made of an alloy of eight different metals known as asta-dhatu. It known as the Nila Chakra (blue wheel). It is 11 feet 8 inches high and has a circumference of about 36 feet. A flag is tied every day on a mast attached the Nila Chakra. On every Ekadasi day a lamp is lit on top of the temple near the wheel.
The main temple is surrounded by 30 different smaller temples. The Narasimha temple adjacent to the western side of the Mukti-mandapa is said to have been constructed before the present temple.
In front of the main gate is an 11m pillar, called Aruna Stambha, which used be in front of the Sun Temple in Konark. It was brought to Puri during the 18th century. The figure on top of the pillar is Aruna, the charioteer of the sungod. In the passage room of this gate is a Deity of Lord Jagannatha called Patita Pavana (Savior of the most fallen). This Deity is visible from the road, so non-Hindus can take darshana of the Lord.
There are four gates-the Eastern Singhadwara (Lion Gate), the Southern Ashwadwara (Horse Gate), the Western Vyaghradwara (Tiger Gate), and the Northern Hastidwara (Elephant Gate). There is a carving of each form by the entrance of each gate. The Lion Gate, which is the main gate, is located on Grand Road.
Lord Caitanya used to regularly visit the Jagannatha Temple. In front of the altar of Lord Jagannatha is a column on which the statue of Garuda is situated. It is called the Garuda Stambha and is very revered and worshiped, as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu usually saw Lord Jagannatha from a distance behind this column. Behind that column is a moat-like kunda, or ditch, which was sometimes filled with Lord Caitanya's tears. Also an impression of Lord Caitanya's own hand-print is found imbedded in the column.
"If one is not allowed to enter the temple, or if he thinks himself unfit to enter the temple, he can look at the cakra and wheel from outside, and that is as good as seeing the Deity." (Cc. M. 11.195) Non-Hindus (non-Indians) cannot enter the temple. Also you should be careful if you have an Indian body and look too westernized.
Lord Jagannatha & Other Deities
The main Deities in the temple are Lord Jagannatha, His brother, Baladeva, and His sister, Lady Subhadra. Lord Jagannatha is another name for Lord Krishna.
"Being absolute, Lord Jagannatha is identical with His name, form, picture, qualities, and pastimes. If one thinks that the form of Lord Jagannatha is an idol made of wood, he immediately brings ill fortune into his life. A pure devotee who knows the science of Krishna Consciousness makes no distinction between Lord Jagannatha and the actual form of the Lord. He knows that they are identical, just as Lord Krishna and His soul are one and the same."
Some of the other temples within the walls of this temple house Deities of Satya Narayana, Lord Caitanya, Ramachandra, Gopala, Hanuman, Narasimha, Varaha and others.
Temple Compound Sites
1. Baisipahacha- Twenty-two steps that take one from Grand Road and connect the inner and outer wall. Great respect is given to these steps because many devotees pass here and the dust of their feet sanctifies the steps.
2.Kalpavata- Kalpa means a thousand years and vata means banyan tree. It is towards the south side of the temple. It is supposed to be able to fulfill all desires.
3. Mukti-mandapa- It is a 16 pillar hall known as Brahmasava (divine assembly).
4. Niladri Vihar- Approached from the western gate, it is situated between the outer and inner enclosure. It is an art gallery, which shows the pastimes of Lord Jagannatha as well as the 12 incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
5.Sona Kua (golden well)- Near the northern gate. The water of this well is used to bath Lord Jagannatha during Snana-yatra.
6.Koila Vaikuntha- In the western portion of the temple between the outer and inner walls. It is approachable from the northern gate. During Nava-kalevara (new incarnation ceremony), when Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra are newly carved, the old images are buried here.
7.After you come up the 22 steps by the Lion (main) Gate, on the right is Ananda Bazaar, where maha-prasada is purchased.
Main Temple
The main temple is the home of Their Lordships Balabhadra (white), Subhadra (yellow), and Jagannatha (black). They are seated on the Ratna Singhasan. Devotees can circumambulate the Deities.
1. Mukhasala- Next to the main temple in a straight line is the hall of audience, which can be entered through 4 separate doors. The Kalaghata door leads to the sanctum sanctorum. The southern door leads out of the temple and the northern to the Ratna Bhandar (Treasury house).
2. Nata Mandira-This is a spacious hall, 21 meters (65 ft) in length and 20 meters (61 ft) wide. This is where the Garuda Stambha is located, where Lord Caitanya used to stand. It is believed that the potency of a devotee's prayers to the Lord becomes increased while he stands near this sacred pillar.
3. Bhoga Mandap- Next to Nata Mandira. It is a spacious hall, 18 meters in length and 17 metres wide. There are sculptures and paintings about Lord Krishna's pastimes and other stories in this hall.
Temple Tours & Temple Pandas
When you first enter the viewing area to see Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva, Lady Subhadra, you are a good distance from the Deities. With the help of a temple Panda (Brahmin guide) you can get a closer view of Lord Jagannatha. You get his help by giving a donation. It is best to work out a price in advance, but this may not be possible. When you get fairly close to the altar you will be approached for a donation for the Deities.
If you look like you have some money, when you enter the temple pandas (Brahmin guides) will invariably approach you and offer to guide you around the temple. They can be extremely aggressive and will gladly bring you to see every Deity in the temple complex, where they will explain to you why it is important to give a large donation to help yourself, your family, your loved ones, and everyone else in the universe.
The Brahmin (panda) is a good donation for showing you around for an hour and most will be satisfied with this, although they may request more at first.
Gundicha Mandir (Temple)
This temple is located at the end of Grand Road (the main road) about 3 km northeast of the Jagannatha Temple. At the time of the Ratha-yatra festival, Lord Jagannatha goes to the Gundicha Temple and stays there for one week. After one week He returns to His original temple.
It is said that the wife of Indradyumna, the king who originally established the temple of Jagannatha, was known as Gundicha. The cleansing of the Gundicha temple takes place the day before the Ratha-yatra festival as mentioned in Caitanya-caritamrita.
Non-Hindus can walk within the walls and see the beautiful garden, but they are not allowed in the temple building.
Narasimha Temple
This temple is located next to the Gundicha Temple. There are two Deities of Lord Narasimha, one behind the other. The Deity in front is called Santa Narasimha (sober). Anyone who see this Deity will be cooled down; all his anger, frustration and anxiety will vanish.
The Deity in the back is called Raga Narasimha (anger). He is the internal mood of Narasimha. When the Muslim Kalapahad attacked Puri and was breaking the Deities, he saw Santa Narasimhadeva and his anger subsided; hence he could not break the Deity as he had planned. Santa Narasimha's features are human-like. He has a sharp human nose, large, curly mustache, and an outstretched tongue.
Lord Caitanya took darsana here during His Gundicha pastimes. Lord Caitanya rested near this temple after cleaning the Gundicha Temple. Non-Hindus are not allowed in the temple, but you can see the Deities if you stand by the door. A generous donation may be accepted by the pujari (priest) to be allowed to enter this temple.
Tota Gopinatha Temple
Gaudiya Vaisnavas accept that Sri Caitanya Manaprabhu ended His manifested pastimes in Jagannatha Puri by entering into the knee of the Tota Gopinatha Deity.
On the far left altar is Lord Balarama and His two wives, Revati and Varuni. On the middle altar is Tota Gopinatha, accompanied by black Deities of Radha and Lalita. Tota Gopinatha is in a sitting position. If you come in the morning around seven, you can give a donation to see the crack in His knee where Lord Caitanya entered the Deity and left this world. On the right altar are the Deities of Radha-Madana Mohan and Gaura Gadadhar. Sri Gadadhar used to worship Tota Gopinatha regularly as per Sri Caitanya's personal instructions.
This temple is located by a large white water tower in the Gaurbat Sahi area. It is five minutes walk from the Chatak Parbat Purushottam Gaudiya Math temple. The sign on the door says "Shree Tota Gopinathjee," and there are two stone lions by the door. It is a 15 minute walk from Haridasa Thakura's Samadhi.
Saksi Gopala Temple
This is an important Krishna temple that is dedicated to Saksi Gopala. Saksi Gopala means the witness Gopala. This Deity was originally in Vrindavana.
The story of the Deity is that once there were two Vidyanagara Brahmin, one elderly and the other young. After touring many places of pilgrimage, the two Brahmins finally reached Vrindavana. In reciprocation for the service that the young Brahmin rendered, the older Brahmin offered him his daughter in marriage. He promised this before the Gopala Deity in Vrindavana. Some time after they returned to Vidyanagara, the young Brahmin reminded the older Brahmin about the promise he made. Due to family considerations, the elderly Brahmin said he could not remember the promise. The younger Brahmin then returned to Vrindavana and told the whole story to Gopalaji. Being obliged by the young man's devotional service and attitude, Sri Gopala followed him to South India, where He bore witness of the promise of the elderly Brahmin. Hence, by the grace of the Lord, the marriage was performed. The Deity was later moved to Cuttack, then to the Jagannatha temple and finally to its present location.
Both Sri Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada visited this temple. Although Srila Prahhapada was accompanied by a group of western disciples, the current strictly enforced temple policy is that non-Hindus are not allowed inside. This temple is 10 km west of Jagannatha Puri. You can take a train to this spot, as it is a stop on the Puri-Bhubaneswara line. You can also take a bus or a taxi.
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