Along with Jagannath temple, Puri is also known for these special temples, you also know many interesting things related to these temples.

Sri Jagannath Puri Temple – Sri Jagannath Puri Temple

Located in the holy city of Puri, the Jagannath Temple or the Pride of India was built by King Indradyumna in the 11th century. This glorious temple is the abode of Lord Jagannath who is a form of Lord Vishnu. It is the most revered pilgrimage site for Hindus and is involved in the holy Char Dham Yatra along with Badrinath, Dwarka and Rameshwaram. Apart from the main temple, several smaller temples within the complex will make you feel as if you are entering the Lord’s house. The magnificent Oriya architecture of Jagannath Puri Temple is very beautiful. The four gates are beautifully designed with intricate carvings.

You should not miss the grand Mahaprasad of the temple by coming here. One of the largest kitchens in India, delicious food is cooked in earthen pots for thousands of people every day and served to the devotees. The religious festivals of the city attract a large number of tourists. The most famous of them is the Rath Yatra which is celebrated with great enthusiasm. You can visit this temple between 5:30 in the morning and 10 in the night.

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Loknath Temple – Loknath Temple in Puri

This 11th century temple is one of the five famous temples of Puri dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to the legend, it was founded by Lord Rama. The complex is built according to the Deula architectural style. The main temple is made of marble, while the rest is made of sandstone. There is a Shiva Linga in the sanctum sanctorum, over which a naturally flowing fountain keeps the Shivling submerged in water. Before the Shivratri festival, all the water is drained out and during that time the Shivalinga is visible to the devotees for darshan. In this way the Shivling is clearly visible only once in a year. One can visit this temple (Tuesday to Sunday) from 5:30 am to 8:30 pm, (Monday) from 4:30 am to 8:30 pm.

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Vimala Temple – Vimala Temple in Puri

The Vimala, or Bimala Mandir is a small temple located within the Jagannath Temple complex next to the holy Rohini Kund pond. Dedicated to Goddess Vimala, this temple is considered to be one of the most sacred Shakti temples in India. Constructed of sandstone and laterite, it has the Deula style of temple architecture. Vimala is regarded as the consort of Lord Jagannath, and she is also considered the patron goddess of the Jagannath temple complex. Devotees consider it necessary to worship Vimala Devi before worshiping in the main Jagannath temple. No offerings to Jagannath are sanctified as Mahaprasad unless it is first offered to Vimala Devi. Huge Durga Puja festival is celebrated in the temple. The darshan of this temple opens from 5 am to 1 am and from 4 pm to 11:30 pm.

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Sakshi Gopal Temple – Sakshi Gopal Temple in Puri

Built in the Kalinga style of temple architecture, this medieval temple is dedicated to Lord Gopinath, a form of Krishna. There are stories related to this temple like Lord Krishna came here to testify in a village wedding. Another myth is that the temple refers to one of the 16 idols of deities carved out of an exotic stone by order of King Vajra, the grandson of Lord Krishna. This temple is a unique Vishnu temple for its offerings – as the food offerings are made of wheat rather than rice. The temple is famous for the annual celebration of the Amla Navami Festival, which is associated with the ritual of touching the feet of Goddess Radha. This temple opens between 6 am and 9 pm.

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Gundicha Temple – Gundicha Temple in Puri

Situated at a distance of 3 kilometers from the main temple complex of Jagannath, Gundicha Temple is significant as the destination of the mythical Rath Yatra festival from the Jagannath Temple. For nine days, the temple is enshrined as the trinity of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra. The temple marks the end of the Rath Yatra, where the deities rest for seven days before traveling back to their original home. It is made of light gray sandstone and is built in the Deula style of Kalinga temple architecture. The Gundicha temple remains empty for the rest of the year, except for several images depicting the life of the Lord. One can visit this temple from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

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Markandeshwara Temple – Markandeshwara Temple in Puri in hindi

This site is known as the place where Sage Markandeya meditated. The Markandeshwar Temple is one of the five famous Shiva temples in Puri, and one of the 52 holy places for Shiva worship. The entrance of the temple is adorned with the figure of Nataraja with ten arms. Small idols of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha are intricately detailed and are placed in the lower part of the main temple. There are temples of Lord Shiva in various avatars in the corners of the temple. Next to the temple is the Markandeya Sarovar a water tank which is considered to be one of the Panch Tirthas of Puri. Many rituals of the festivals of the Jagannath Temple at Kamarkandeshwar are celebrated with great enthusiasm.

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Alarnath Temple – Alarnath Temple in Puri

It is believed that Lord Jagannath leaves Puri during the month of Ashadha of the Hindu calendar. This period is called ‘anavasar’, which means ‘lack of opportunity’. At this time, Jagannath appears as Alarnath Dev in the Alarnath temple in Brahmagiri. Lord Alarnath is the presiding deity of this temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The idol of the quadrilateral deity is holding a chakra and conch shell in the upper hands and a lotus and gadaka in the lower hands. Chandan Yatra is an annual sandalwood festival celebrated for 21 days in the lake behind the temple. You can visit this temple between 6 am to 9 pm.

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