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Puri Jagannath Temple in Orissa

Jagannath Temple in Puri is considered as the land of Lord Jagannath. The name “Jagannath” implies as the ‘Lord of Universe’. The place is one of the most sacred pilgrimage spots in India. The ‘Dham’ is one of the four divine abodes lying on four directions of the compass. The Jagannath temple in Puri was built approximately 12th Century AD by the “King Chodaganga” of the Eastern Ganges dynasty. The completion was later brought by his successor, “Anangabhima Deva”, during the 12th century.

Jagannath Puri is one of the most honored of all temples of Lord Vishnu in eastern India. The Jagannath Temple was built in the classical architectural temple building phase. Protected by two surrounding walls, the conical tower of the temple is 58 meters high on which the flag and the wheel of Lord Vishnu can be seen.
The shrine is dedicated to Krishna, Balabhadra and Subhadra, the temple has these three as principal deities. Similar to the Lingaraja temple in Bhubaneshwar, this temple is also close for Non-Hindus who contend themselves by just viewing it from outside its precincts.

The shrine follows the same architectural type of the traditional Orissan temples of the classical period. The main “shikhara”, or the tower, rises above the inner sanctum where the deities exist in mainly. Other shikharas rise above ante-halls. The temple complex is surrounded by a wall, on each side of which is a “gopura” or gate, over which there is a pyramid-shaped roof. Being the largest temple in the state, it has a complex covering several square blocks with dozens of structures including a mammoth kitchen.

There is a wheel on top of the Jagannath Temple made of an alloy of eight metals (asta-dhatu). It is called the Nila Chakra (The Blue Wheel). Every day, a different flag is tied to the pole attached to the Nila Chakra. Every Ekadasi, a lamp is lit on top of the temple near the wheel. There are four gates: the eastern “Singhadwara” (Lion Gate), the southern “Ashwadwara” (Horse Gate), the western “Vyaghradwara” (Tiger Gate), and the northern “Hastidwara” (Elephant Gate). There is a carving of each form by the entrance of each gate. The Lion Gate, which is the main gate, is located on Grand Road. Thirty different smaller temples surround the main temple. The Narasimha Temple, adjacent to the western side of the Mukti-Mandapa, is said to have been constructed before this temple even.

So, come and see the beautiful temple of Puri and memories the scenic beauty for the life time. People said that coming to Puri is like getting an opportunity to feel The Real God. Don’t miss the opportunity.

Temples to Visit in Varanasi (Benaras)

Bharat Mata Temple:

The Bharat Mata temple at Varanasi is the only temple dedicated to Mother India. It is located in the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth campus. The Bharat Mata temple was built by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupt and inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936. The statute of Bharat Mata is built in marble and is a model of undivided India, depicting the mountains, plains and oceans. The most peculiar thing about the Bharat Mata Temple is that instead of the customary gods and goddesses, it houses a relief map of India, carved out of marble.

Durga Mata Temple:

Durga Mata temple, also known as the “monkey temple”, because of presence of large number of monkeys, is one of the important temples of Varanasi. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga. The Durga temple was built in the eighteenth century. A Bengali Maharani built the Durga temple in Nagara Style (the North Indian style of temple architecture). It is stained red with ochre and has a multi-tiered shikhara (spire). The Durga temple is situated on a rectangular tank, called the Durga Kund. According to the Puranas, Goddess Durga has kept this place for many centuries and protects the holy city, Varanasi, from the South.

The present idol of Goddess Durga was not made by man but appeared on its own in the temple.  According to Hindu Mythology, Durga is represented as the embodiment of shakti or female power, clad in red, riding a tiger and fully armed. Non-Hindus can enter the courtyard of the Durga temple but not the inner sanctum. Thousands of Hindu devotees visit the Durga temple during “Navaratri” and other auspicious occasions.

New Vishwanath Temple:

New Vishwanath temple of Varanasi is located in the premises of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU). The temple is also known as Birla Temple. New Vishwanath temple is a replica of the old version of Vishwanath temple situated at Varanasi in another place.   The temple is built in white marbles, and was planned by Madan Mohan Malviya, the founder of the Banaras Hindu University. The specialty of the temple is that it is open for the all cast and communities and built in beautiful white marbles, and was planned by Madan Mohan Malviya, founder of BHU.

Sankat Mochan Temple:

Sankat Mochan temple is one of the sacred temples of Varanasi. The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The word “Sankat Mochan” implies one who helps in removing sufferings, according to Hindu mythology. The famous author of ‘Ramcharitamanas’, Tulsidas was the founder of the temple. It is one of the most sacred temples of Varanasi, and always remains crowded by worshipers and visitors.

Tulsi Manas Temple:

Tulsi Manas Temple is a very famous temple of Varanasi. The temple can be considered as one of the importance place to visit in Varanasi. Tulsi Manas temple is located near the famous Durga temple. It was built in the year 1964 with white marble. There is a magnificent arranged landscape around the temple. It increases the attraction quotient of the place. Tulsi Manas temple is dedicated to lord Ram. It is believed to be built at the same place where Tulsidas wrote the famous Indian epic, Ramcharitamanasa. The walls of the Tulsi Manas temple are engraved with verses and scenes from the Ramcharitmanas, the Hindi version of the Ramayana.

Vishwanath Temple:

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is situated in the heart of spiritual capital of India, Varanasi.  The temple is situated on the western bank of India’s holiest river Ganges. Kashi Vishwanath temple is the center of faith for millions of Hindus. The Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha, is enshrined in the Kashi Vishwanath temple, considered as one of the holiest temples of India. It is believed that a simple glimpse of the Jyotirlinga is a soul-cleansing experience that transforms life. “Darshan” of Vishweshwara Jyotirlinga is considered to merit more than the visit of other jyotirlingas, situated in various parts of India.

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple attracts Hindu devotees and other visitors not only from India but also the world over. Lord Vishwanath is considered the supreme repository of the spiritual truth and strengthens the bonds of universal brotherhood.