Jagannath Temple Puri

Jagannath Temple Puri | Image Resource : Wikipedia.org

Jagannath temple is a place of spirituality and relief. This temple is a very popular place of devotion that is visited many thousands of visitors every year.This well-known ancient Hindu temple is committed to the governing deity lord Jagannath. This holy place situated on the eastern coast of the Indian subcontinent is a blessed place of tour specially for the believers of Lord Vishnu or Krishna. The Jagannath temple Puri is of great significance in Hindu faith as it is one of the Char Dhams or the four holy places of journey that a Hindu must visit during his life time. 

Temple Of Jagannath | Image Resource : flickr.com

The temple includes  a number of Hindu idols. Most of these idols are carved out of metal or stone but the idol of lord Jagannath is carved out of wood. A unique feature about the Jagannath temple Puri is that the idol of lord Jagannath is replaced every 12 or 19 years. The wood used to carve the exact replica of the image is taken from sanctified trees. The traditional replacement of the wooden statues is known as Navakalevara that refers to new personification and is a highly secret ritual.

Rath Yatra | Image Resource : wikipedia.org

The temple is well-known for its Rath Yatra which is a chariot festival.  In this festival the three main gods of the temple are dragged on beautifully ornamented vast temple cars. This festival is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm by the devotees of lord Jagannath. People from all parts of the country come together to attend  this festival.

Temple At Night | Image Resource : orissatourism.org

The familiar Saint Ramananda is closely related to the Jagannath temple. Vaishnava societies hold a significant place in the ceremonials surveyed by this sanctified temple. The governing temple gods Jagannath, goddess Subhadra and Balabhadra are placed on the bejewelled platform which is known as the Ratnavedi that is located in the inner sanctorum of the temple.