PURI – A Pilgrimage Place
About Puri
Located in the Indian state of Odisha, Puri happens to be one city, which is known for its diverse elements. From its beautiful beaches to its list of religious shrines, Puri in ancient India was known by many names.
Located on the popular Bay of Bengal, Puri was also referred to by the name of Jagannath Puri in history, since it happens to be the land of Lord Jagannath. Significantly, it also happens to be one of the former famous Char Dhams of India—the four most prominent pilgrimage sites of the country divinely revered in Hindu culture.
As of today, the newly set Char Dhams are the Gangotri, the Yamunotri, the Kedarnath, and the Badrinath.
Locally, Puri is also known as Badadeula. The city is the proud land consisting of a list of holy temples, maths, and monasteries where devotees visit in large numbers every year to pay their homage.
The fundamental and most popular religious attraction at Puri is the Jagannath Temple, built-in authentic Kalinga style. According to historians, the temple was started and finished constructed in the 12th century by the king of Eastern Ganga Dynasty Chodaganga and Anangabhima Deva and the wooden idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra were installed here soon after.
The next popular pilgrim spot here is the Pancha Tirtha of Puri, which is a set of five sacred bathing spots where pilgrims take a holy dip. These include the Indradyumana Tank, the Rohini Kunda, the Swetaganga Tank, and finally, the sea itself—also known as the Mahodadhi.
The other prominent places of interest in Puri are the Gundicha Temple—referred to as the garden house of Lord Jagannath, the Swargadwar—a crematory ground near the seashores, the district museum, and the Raghunananda Library.
The most famous festivals celebrated in the city of Puri include the annual festival of Rath Yatra—the journey of the holy chariot in the month of June- July every year, where millions of people gather to participate in the grand celebrations of the chariot journey; the Chhera Pahara—this one’s linked with the Ratha Yatra, wherein the Gajapati King gets dressed up in the outfit of a sweeper and sweeps the deities as well as the holy chariot. This is a festival to denote that there is no difference between the royal kings and the humble devotees of Lord Jagannath.
The other festivals include the Chandan Yatra, the Anasara, the Snana Yatra, the Suna Besha, the Nava Kalevara, the Sahi Yatra, and the Niladri Bije.