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Jagannath Temple, Puri
Lord Jagannath · Char Dham · Odisha
॥ जय जगन्नाथ ॥
The Jagannath Temple at Puri in Odisha is one of the four great Char Dham of India and the home of Lord Jagannath — a form of Vishnu worshipped, with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, in striking wooden images that are renewed every few years. Built in the 12th century, it is the seat of the world-famous Rath Yatra, the chariot festival that draws millions to its broad processional avenue.
The wooden lord and his renewal
Unlike the stone and metal idols of most temples, Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are carved from sacred neem wood — the Daru Brahma. At intervals fixed by the calendar (the Nabakalebara), the images are ceremonially renewed from new trees, their life-essence transferred in a secret rite. Their large round eyes and unfinished forms are among the most recognisable images in Hinduism.
A 12th-century temple of the Ganga kings
The towering temple was built by the Eastern Ganga ruler Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva and completed under his successors. Its main spire rises about 65 metres, crowned by the Neelachakra wheel and a flag that is famously said to fly against the direction of the wind. The four gates, led by the Lion Gate (Singhadwara) and the pillar of Aruna before it, open into a vast walled compound.
Rath Yatra and the great kitchen
Each year in the month of Ashadha, the three deities ride out on giant wooden chariots in the Rath Yatra, pulled through the streets by countless devotees — the origin of the English word “juggernaut.” The temple’s kitchen, among the largest in the world, prepares the Mahaprasad in earthen pots stacked over wood fires, food offered to the lord and shared at the Ananda Bazaar.
How to reach Puri
- By road: Puri is about 60 km from Bhubaneswar on the Odisha coast.
- By train: Puri is a major railway terminus, well connected across India.
- By air: Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik International Airport is about 60 km away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lord Jagannath?
Jagannath is a form of Vishnu (associated with Krishna) worshipped at Puri with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra in distinctive wooden images. Puri is one of the four Char Dham of India.
Why are the Jagannath idols made of wood?
The deities are carved from sacred neem wood (Daru Brahma) and ceremonially renewed at intervals through the Nabakalebara rite, when new images replace the old and their essence is transferred — a tradition unique to Puri.
What is the Rath Yatra?
The Rath Yatra is the annual chariot festival in the month of Ashadha, when Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are pulled through Puri on three giant wooden chariots by millions of devotees.
What is the Mahaprasad of Puri?
The Mahaprasad is the temple food cooked in earthen pots over wood fires in one of the world’s largest kitchens, offered to Jagannath and shared with pilgrims at the Ananda Bazaar.
Can non-Hindus enter the Jagannath Temple?
Entry to the temple is traditionally restricted to Hindus. Non-Hindu visitors can view the temple from the roof of the nearby Raghunandan Library and other vantage points.
How do I reach Puri?
Puri is about 60 km from Bhubaneswar on the Odisha coast, with a major railway terminus and Bhubaneswar airport about 60 km away.
॥ जय जगन्नाथ स्वामी ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deity | Lord Jagannath, with Balabhadra and Subhadra |
| Significance | One of the four Char Dham of India |
| Idols | Wooden (Daru Brahma), renewed at Nabakalebara |
| Built | 12th c, Eastern Ganga king Chodaganga Deva |
| Main Festival | Rath Yatra (Ashadha) |
| Entry | Inner temple: Hindus only |