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About Puri Jagannath Temple
The Shree Jagannath Temple, located in the sacred city of Puri, Odisha, is one of the most revered Hindu temples in India. Dedicated to Lord Jagannath—a form of Lord Vishnu—along with Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, the temple is a central pillar of faith, devotion, and spiritual unity. It is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites, making it an essential destination for devotees from across the country and beyond.
The temple is renowned for its unique rituals, ancient traditions, and inclusive philosophy, symbolizing universal brotherhood and devotion beyond social boundaries.
History of Shree Jagannath Temple
The present structure of the Jagannath Temple was built in the 12th century by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga dynasty and later completed by King Anangabhima Deva III. However, the worship of Lord Jagannath is believed to have existed long before the temple’s construction, rooted in tribal and Vedic traditions.One of the most distinctive aspects of the temple is that the deities are made of sacred neem wood, not stone or metal. This tradition is preserved through the rare ritual of Nabakalebara, during which the wooden forms of the deities are ceremonially replaced.
The temple is also famous for the Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival), an ancient and grand celebration where the deities are taken out of the temple in massive chariots, allowing devotees of all backgrounds to have their darshan. This festival reflects the belief that the Lord comes to meet His devotees personally.
Diety info
The Three Deities of Puri
The Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri is uniquely dedicated to three sacred deities—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra. Together, they represent divine unity, universal love, and spiritual harmony.
Lord Jagannath
Lord Jagannath, meaning “Lord of the Universe”, is worshipped as a form of Lord Vishnu. He symbolizes compassion, inclusiveness, and boundless mercy. His large, round eyes represent eternal awareness and His readiness to watch over all beings. Lord Jagannath is deeply connected with the Bhakti movement and is known for accepting devotees from all backgrounds without discrimination.
Temple Architechure
Architecture of Shree Jagannath Temple
The Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri is a magnificent example of Kalinga style architecture, a distinctive temple architectural tradition of Odisha. Built in the 12th century, the temple showcases remarkable craftsmanship, symbolic design, and spiritual geometry that reflect ancient Hindu architectural principles.
Management section
Trust
The Jagannath Temple Trust safeguards the spiritual, cultural, and historical legacy of the temple. It ensures transparent governance, proper utilization of donations, preservation of sacred traditions, and maintenance of temple properties while upholding the values of devotion, faith, and public service.
Responsibilities
The responsibilities include managing daily rituals, organizing festivals, maintaining temple infrastructure, ensuring security, supporting sevayats, assisting devotees, and preserving heritage. The administration also oversees crowd control, cleanliness, and coordination with authorities to ensure smooth, disciplined, and respectful conduct of all temple activities.