Puri
Location
About
A sacred coastal city in Odisha and one of the four dhams (sacred pilgrimage quarters) of the Char Dham. The Jagannath Temple, home to Lord Jagannath (a form of Krishna), is one of the four major Hindu pilgrimage sites and its famous Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival) draws over a million pilgrims who pull massive wooden chariots through the streets. The temple is closed to non-Hindus.
Significance
The annual Rath Yatra at Puri, in which three colossal wooden chariots carry the deities through the town, is one of the most magnificent public religious events in the world and the origin of the English word 'juggernaut.' The tradition that all devotees — regardless of caste — can touch the rope of Jagannath's chariot made Puri a symbol of social equality within Hinduism. The Jagannath temple provides free meals (mahaprasad) to hundreds of thousands daily.
History & Historical Arc
The Jagannath Temple was built by the Ganga dynasty king Anantavarman Chodaganga in the 12th century CE on an ancient sa…
Archaeological Notes
The current temple structure dates to 12th century CE. Pre-Jagannath indigenous tribal origins of the deity are suggeste…
Key Features & Structures
- Jagannath Temple (65m vimana tower)
- Rath Yatra chariots (stored in temple grounds)
Visitor Information
Temple closed to non-Hindus. Rath Yatra typically in June/July. Best visited outside festival periods for shorter crowds…
Related Figures
In the Bible
Source References
- Skanda Purana, Vaishnava Khanda
- Sarala Das, Odia Mahabharata