11. Nilacala Dham- Jagannath Puri dham

Nilacala Dham- Jagannath Puri dham:

There is a small mountain (acala) located in the middle of Sri Ksetra which is bluish (nila) in color, hence the name Nilacala Dhama. Previously, Orissa was inhabited by aboriginal tribes, whose civilization was quite distinct from the Vedic Aryans. 

The Puranas state that Jagannath was originally a Deity of the Sabaras (tribal woodsmen) and was known as Nila Madhava. The murti was made of some exotic effulgent blue stone. Later, the Lord manifested in the form of four wooden Deities (Daru Brahma) that are presently worshiped here. 

In ancient times, there was a dense forest here where the tribal Sabaras worshiped a charming Deity called Nila Madhava, whose complexion was more dazzling than crores of blue sapphires (nilamani). The present day temple is situated on this mountain; hence, Prabhu Jagannatha is sometimes called Nilacala Candra.