TEMPLES AROUND PURI

Gundicha Temple

The most important sanctuary of Jagannath is the Gundicha temple, the abode to which Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are driven each of his or her wooden cars once in a year, during the Car Festival. Except for these few days it is unoccupied, but there is a small establishment of servants by whom it is regularly maintained. It is situated at the other end of the great highway (Badadanda). The distance between the gates of Jagannath temple and the Gundicha temple, is exactly 2,688.0696 meters (8327 feet). The temple is surrounded by a wall and stands in the middle of garden. It consists of four pars connected with kitchen rooms by a narrow passage the tower, a construction of Pidha type, is 75 feet high with a base of 55 feet by 46 feet outside, and 36 feet 8inches by 27 feet inside. All the four structures (Vimana, Jagamohan, Natamandap, and Bhogamandap) bear the traces of several plastering and are carved in places with obscene figures in mortar. There is a plain raised seat, 4 feet high and 19 feet long, made of chlorite, and this is called the Ratnavedi- the throne on which the images are placed when brought to the temple.

Astasambhu Temple

The eight guardians Shiva's of this abode of Jagannath (Vishnu) are Markandeswar, Yajneswara, Nilakantheswara, Vilveswara, Kapalamochana, Baleswara, Isaneswara and Pataleswara.

Astachandi Temple

The eight Chandis, collectively called Astachandi, are Bata Mangala, Bimala, Sarvamangal, Ardhasani, Alamba, Dakshinakalika, Marichika and Harachandi.

Panchatirtha Temple

The sacred tanks are Indradyumna near the Gundicha temple, Manikarnika in the Marnikarnika street, Markanda towards the north of the Jagannath temple and Swetaganga towards the south of the Jagannath temple. These four tirthas or sacred waters together with the sea make the Panchtirtha or five sacred waters in which pilgrims are solemnly enjoined to take bath. Some of these places and few other places, such as: Lokanath temple, Atharnala Bridge, etc., deserve special mention.

Loknath Temple

This is the famous Shiva temple of Puri Located about One Kilometer away from the Jagannath Temple towards the western end. There is a popular belief that Lord Ram had installed this Shiva Lingam with a Pumpkin. The Temple was build during 10th-11th century A.D. The devotees come here to see Lord Loknath in order to be cured from any kind of disease. There are certain festivals observed in this temple out of which' Saranti-Somobar-Mela' is the important one. There is a stream on the head Shiva Linga playing the role of the Ganges and Linga, it self remains under the water. The flowers, sandal paste, 'Bilwa-Patra', etc. offered to the God remain decomposed in the water emittining a special smell and teats being medicated as a whole. people take it as Prasad, in order to be cured from the disease that they suffered for. The festival of Shiva Ratri is observed in the temple of Lokanath with great devotion. A meeting of Siva and Vishnu takes place on the day.

Chakratirtha Temple

The Chakratirtha, a small and unprotected pool, is in the South-east of Jagannath Temple on the Sea-Beach of popularly known as C.T. Road heading towards Pentha Kata (The Fishersman village). It is evidently a part of the old mouth of the Balagandi stream that flowed across the Badadanda to the sea. The place is known as Banki Muhana. Near-by is the temple of Chaitanya called Sunar-Gouranga, a place largely visited by the pilgrims.

Chakra Narayan Temple

Towards the northern side of the temple of Sunar-Gouranga is the temple of Chakra Narayana. The image of Lakshmi-Narasimha is worshipped here.

Daria Mahabir Temple

At the distance of about thirty meters to the west of the Chakra Narayan Temple, Daria Mahabir is a small temple dedicated to Hanuman. He is also known as Bedi Hanuman.

Ardhasani Temple

On the way to Gundicha temple, Ardhasani is a small temple dedicated to the goddess of that name.The three chariots of Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra start from the Singha Dwara of the Temple of Jagannath and reach at 'Gundicha Temple', at the other end of the Bada danda. In between 'Gundicha Temple' and 'Singha Dwara' there comes the Shrine of the Goddess, Ardhamsini or Ardhasini. Popularly known as Mousima (aunt) of Jagannath where the Lord take a Bhoga of 'Podapitha", a special cake. It is stared in Skanda Purana, Vaisanava Knadha that during the deluge, when the sea over flooded Puri, this goddess drank half of the flood water and saved the town. There for her name become Arthasini.

Siddha Mahavir Temple

At a distance of about half a mile, to the west of Gundicha temple, there is a small temple dedicated to Siddha Hanuman. It is believed that Tulasi Das resided at this place during his stay at Puri. It is a beautiful spot for picnic.


Jameshwara Temple

This is again a temple of 11-11th Century A.D. located on the extreme end of Hara Chandi Street. It owed Jameshwara Shiva, who protects this holy land from the influence of Yama, on the other hand it is know on as Yamanaka Tirtha. Again this temple is one of the historical evidences, if analysed, can get lot of evidence of the culture of Puri. Besides, there are many religious shrines and sanctuaries found in each and every street of Puri. There are Ashrams of saints like Pandu, Angira, Bhrigu and Nigamananda and others also found in the different areas.

Alabukeswara Temple

Alabukeswara is a Shiva Shrine situated to the west of the Yameshwara. It is spoken of in high terms by the Kapila Samhita for making barren women fruitful.

Kapala Mochana Temple / Manikarnika

Kapalamochana is a small Shiva temple in the immediate neighborhood of the Alabukeswara in the Manikarnika Sahi. The sacred pool of Manikarnika is also located here. Besides all these temples and sacred places as, Sama Kali, Dakhina kali, Barahi in Bali Sahi; Ramachandi in Kundheibenta Sahi and Putia Rani temple near Bus stand on the Badadanda.

Dakshina Kalika Temple

The temple is situated towards south-eastern side of the Lord Jagannath temple on Balisahi. Puranic tradition say that in Sriksetra or Puri, Sri Jagannath is regarded as Dakshina Kalika. The deity is enshring in a modern temple at an higher raised platform. The temple is facing to east an consist of a vimana and a Jagamohana. The deity is four armed and seated on a corpse. She is shown as drinking blood, with a dagger and holding severed head in two of her hands. It is believed that Dakshina Kalika is the guardian of the kitchen of the Lord Jagannath Temple.

Shyamakali Temple

These shrines are there in the old palace of Gajapati Kings of Puri. Now the historical Royal Palace is situated in the grand trunk road (Badadanda) of Puri. This is a new Place. The old Palace was there in Bali Sahi. From the Southern door of Lord Jagannath temple one can go to this place.

Dasa Avatara Temple

There is a ruinous temple of the 'Dasa Avatara' of Vishnu near Gundicha temple. This is the place where the Kabi Jayadev, the author of "Gitagovinda" stayed . Being inspired with the ten incarnations of Vishnu, he wrote Dasaavatara Strotra in his famous work "Gitagovinda".

The Temple of Seven Mother Goddesses

This temple is situated on the embankment of a big sacred pond, Markandeya Soravara. This reminds us of the similar temple build at Dasasvamedha Ghat of Yajpur built in the 10th century by the Somavamsi Kings. Brahmi, Maheswari, Andri, Kaumari, Vaisnavi, Varahi and Camanda are known as the seven mother Goddesses. Sometime Narasimha replace Vaisnavi, a female from the man-Lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu. However, the Shrine of the seven mother goddess at the pond Markanda proves very well that once upon a time Puri was a bonafide Shakti Pitha and Goddess Vimala was the presiding deity of this pitha.