Jagannath Puri

Literary and epigraphic evidence indicates that the site of present-day Puri (also known in early sources as Purusottama Kshetra or Nilachala) had religious significance prior to the construction of the current Jagannath temple by Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva in the 12th century CE. The Skanda Purana's Utkal Khanda has a dedicated section to Puri called the "Purushottama Kshetra Mahatmya", while the Narada Purana and Matsya Purana also refer to Purusottama Kshetra as a sacred location dedicated to Vishnu. The Prabodha Chandrodaya Nataka (c. 11th century CE) of Krishna Mishra also mentions a devayatana (temple or shrine) of Purusottama, indicating an established shrine before the Ganga period. Traditional accounts also record the visit of Adi Shankaracharya to Puri in the 8th-9th century CE, during which he established the Govardhana Matha, further supporting the presence of an active pilgrimage centre before the 12th century architectural phase.

The earliest major reconstruction of the Jagannath Temple complex at Puri is attributed to Anantavarman Chodaganga of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, who ruled c. 1078-1150 CE and established the foundational structure of the present temple around the early 12th century. This is supported by the Kendupatna copper-plate inscription of his descendant, Narasimhadeva II, and inscriptions from Rajendra Chola's maternal side. Anantavarman was originally a Shaivite, and became a Vaishnavite sometime after he conquered the Utkala region, in which the temple is located, in 1112 CE. A 1134–1135 CE inscription records his donation to the temple. Therefore, the temple construction must have started sometime after 1112 CE. Anantavarman's successor Anangabhima III (r. c.

Jagannath is a Hindu deity worshipped as part of a triad along with his brother, Balabhadra, and his sister, Subhadra.

Read more about [Jagannath](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagannath).

According to historical traditions, Jagannath is believed to have originated as a tribal deity venerated by the Bhil and Sabar communities as a form of Narayana. Another legend identifies him as Nilamadhava, a blue-stone image of Narayana that was worshipped by these tribal groups. He was brought to Nilagiri, the blue mountain, or Nilachala, and installed there as Jagannath, in company with Balabhadra and Subhadra. Worship of wooden images at the Jagannath temple is claimed to have a distant connection with the Vanvasi, or forest dwellers, who traditionally worship wooden poles. The Daitapatis, who are responsible for performing certain temple rituals, are claimed to be descendants of the hill tribes of Odisha and are also believed to be closely related to Jagannath. The cultural history of Shrikshetra, regarded as the cultural capital of Odisha, is traced to the traditions of Hindu tribes. The three deities came to be regarded as the symbols of Samyak Darshan, Samyak Jnana, and Samyak Charita, together known as Ratnatraya, the triple gems of the Jain culture, whose assimilation is believed to lead to omniscience and moksha (salvation).

Many renowned acharyas, including Madhvacharya, are believed to have visited this kshetra. Adi Shankaracharya established the Govardhan Math here. Guru Nanak had visited this place with his disciples Bala and Mardana.

Numerous festivals are held in the temple complex each year, attracting millions of people. Some of the principal festivals celebrated include Anavasara, Ratha Yatra, Niladri Bije, Gupta Gundicha, Nabakalebara, and Pana Sankranti (or Vishuva Sankranti).

Every year, the principal deities -Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshan- retire to a secluded chamber called Anavasara Ghar after the holy Snana Yatra on Jyeshtha Purnima, where they remain for the following dark fortnight, or Krishna Paksha. According to tradition, the deities are believed to fall ill after undergoing the ceremonial bathing ritual, and they are tended for fifteen days by the special servitors known as Daitapatis. During this period, cooked food is not offered to the deities. Hence, devotees are not permitted to view the deities, and instead offer worship at the nearby temple of Alarnath at Brahmagiri, where a four-armed Vishnu is revered as a manifestation of Jagannath. Devotees received their first glimpse of the deities on the day before Ratha Yatra, an occasion known as Navayouvana.

The Jagannath triad is usually worshipped in the sanctum sanctorum of the Puri temple.

Located in: Puri, Odisha.