Jagannath Temple, Puri Odisha – What to Know

The Jagannath Temple is a Hindu temple situated in Puri, Odisha on the eastern coast of India. This temple represents Jagannath who is a form of Vishnu. It is an important holy destination. From the 10th century onwards, the reconstruction of the existing temple took place at an earlier temple site. King Anantavarman Chodganga Deva started this process who was the first of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.

The Jagannath temple is popular for its annual ‘Ratha Yatra’ wherein large decorated temple cars pull on 3 principal duties. The Puri temple is a holy site to all Hindus as well as Vaishnava traditions.

Where is Jagannath Temple Location?

Puri, Odisha 752002

What is the Jagannath Temple Darshan Tickets?

During Sahanamela, devotees can reach ‘Ratna Simhasana’ to take the darshan of lords without paying any fees. At other times, the pilgrims have to pay a 10 rupees fee, also called as ‘Parimanik Darshana’ to reach the ‘Ratna Simhasana’. The other option for the devotees to take darshan is standing a little distance away in ‘Jagamohan’ and ‘Vitarakatha’. During Beshalagi, by buying a ticket of Rs.1.50, one can take darshan near ‘Bhitar Katha’.

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What is the Jagannath Temple Darshan Timings?

One can get access to the Jagannath temple from morning 5.00 till midnight. Not like other temples, devotees can enter and move around the idols. In the Puri temple, devotes have to pay a small fee to move around the statues during special darshan. All devotees can go up for the lord darshan during ‘Sahana Mela’ between 7 to 8 am without paying fees.

What is the Jagannath Temple Prasad Timings?

There is no specific time for the distribution of prasad. The distribution of tickets occurs between 7 am to 7.25 am and those who receive tickets can take the darshan for that day. After darshan, one can book for prasad at the counter just near the main temple.

What is the Jagannath Temple Dress Code?

When it is about the Jagannath Temple dress code, men can wear formal pants and shirt. Women have to wear sari or salwar kameez to enter the temple. Devotees are not allowed with informal dressing styles like jeans or t-shirts.

What is the Best Time to visit Jagannath Temple?

In spite of more or less pleasant weather, one can find a great rush at the Jagannath temple every year. People avoid coming to this temple during peak summers (April to June) when the climate is too hot. The best time to visit Jagannath temple is the months between October and February when the climate is extremely pleasant.

How to reach in Jagannath Temple

Different ways to reach Puri:

Air: The closest airport is Bhubaneshwar at a distance of 53 km.

Train: Direct trains are available from main cities such as Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai.

Road: There are state buses for traveling Puri from stations such as Vizag, Bhubaneshwar, Chilka, and Konark.

Some Other Interesting Facts about Jagannath Temple

• The most amazing fact about Jagannath temple is a scientific mystery. The mystery is that the flag attached on top of the temple always moves in the direction of the wind.

• It is believed that one can hear sound waves hitting on the beach when they go inside the temple. However, this sound can’t be heard while exiting the temple.

• No food wastage occurs in the Jagannath temple in spite of more or less the crowd. Moreover, the quantity of cooked prasadam remains the same all year and proves enough to satisfy each devotee.

• One cannot find airplanes and birds flying over the Jagannath temple which is rare and science even can’t explain this.

• The mystery about the Sudarshan Chakra atop the temple is that it appears to face you whichever direction you look from.