Jagannath Puri Temple

Puri, on the east coast of India, in the state of Orissa is a hoary pilgrimage center, enshrining Jagannath, in a colossal temple. Puri is well connected by rail and road with Calcutta and with Bhubaneshwar. Puri is an ancient shrine, enshrining Krishna - Jagannath in the form of a wooden image. Also enshrined are wooden images of Balabhadra (Balarama) and Subhadra brother and sister of Krishna respectively. Interestingly, the Rig Veda refers to Purushottama in the form of a wooden image, prepared from a log of wood floating on the ocean.

Puri is also referred to in the Bhrama purana. Puri, one of the most sacred pilgrimage in India, is one of the four 'Dhamas' of the Hindu religion. The city is home to the world-famous Jagganath temple. The temple enshrines Krishna-Jagannath in the form of a wooden image along with shrines of Balabhadra and Subhadra (brother and sister of Krishna respectively).

The Jagannath Temple of Puri is one of the four most famous holy pilgrimages of the Hindus. The festival of Rath Yatra celebrated here on the second day of the bright fortnight of Ashada (June-July), is world famous for the enormous crowd of devotees that gathers to witness Lord Jagannath?s yearly journey in his huge chariot. Lord Jagannath, with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, goes to his garden house ?Gundecha Ghar ? for five days, visiting his aunt on the way. At the end of the five days, the three siblings are brought back to the Jagannath temple in a procession called the Ultarath.

Lord Jagannath, the symbol of universal love and brotherhood is worshipped in the Temple along with Balabhadra, Subhadra, Sudarshan, Madhaba, Sridevi and Bhudevi on the Ratnabedi or the bejewelled platform. The Deities, Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshan are made of margosa wood. When one lunar month of Ashadha is followed by another lunar month of Aashadha, the deities change their bodies during such a leap month. This is known as Navakalebar or New Body Ceremony.
isiting Hours: The temple gets open at 5am and is open till midnight. At 1 in noon the gates are closed for half an hour.
Entry Fee: Nil.
When to visit: The best time to see the temple is during the Rath-Yatra. Else one can visit Puri during Oct.-April.

Puja Timings
Dwarpitha and Mangal Aarati at 5 a.m
“Mailam” at 6 a.m.
“Abakash” – 6 a.m. to 6.30 a.m.
“Mailam” 6.45 a.m.
“Sahanamela” – 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
“Beshalagi” – 8 a.m.
Rosha Homa Surya Puja and Dwarapal– 8 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.
Gopala Ballava Puja– 9 a.m.
Sakala Dhupa(Morning food offering) 10 a.m
Mailam and Bhoga Mandap
Madhyanha (Afternoon food offering) 11 A.M. to 1 P.M.
Madhyanha Pahudha - 1 p.m. to 1.30 p.m
Sandhya Aarati
Sandhya Dhupa – 7 p.m. to 8 p.m
Mailam and Chandana lagi
Badashringar Vesha
Badashringara Bhoga
Khata Seja Lagi and Pahuda 12.00

How to get there
Air: Puri can be reached by air as its nearest airport is in Bhubaneswar, 56 km away. Regular buses and trains service is available from Bhubaneswar to Puri.
Rail: Puri railway station is a major railway station and is well connected with almost all the major cities of India.
Road: Puri is connected with Bhubaneshwar, Konark, Berhampur, Taptapani, Sambalpur and Kolkata by road.