Puri, Odisha
Jagannath Temple
Where Krishna is worshipped as Jagannath, Lord of the Universe. Famous worldwide for the Rath Yatra chariot festival each summer.
- Presiding deity
- Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra
- Established
- 12th century
- Darshan timings
- 5:00 AM – 12:00 midnight
- Best time to visit
- June – July (Rath Yatra)
History & significance
Built by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva in the 12th century, the temple is one of the four Char Dham and the spiritual heart of Odisha.
The wooden deities are replaced roughly every twelve to nineteen years in the secret Nabakalebara rite, when the life-substance is transferred to newly carved forms.
Its kitchen is among the largest in the world, cooking mahaprasad in earthen pots for thousands each day.
Don't miss
- • Rath Yatra, when the deities ride enormous hand-pulled chariots
- • Mahaprasad served in the Ananda Bazaar
- • The flag atop the 65-metre spire that always flies against the wind
Main festivals
Rath YatraSnana YatraJanmashtamiNabakalebara
How to reach
Puri is 60 km from Bhubaneswar airport, with frequent trains and buses.
Nearby places
- Puri beach
- Konark Sun Temple
- Chilika Lake
- Gundicha Temple