81. Holy Places in the Inner Enclosure of Jagannath Puri Temple

Holy Places in the Inner Enclosure of Jagannath Puri Temple:

1. Patita Pavan:

The image of Patita pavan, a replica of Jagannath is installed at the northern side of the Simhadwar Gumut and while entering into the temple one may easily see the deity on his right. Patita pavan is the second name of Jagannath as he liberates the Patit- the down-trodden and oppressed low caste people. A person can see him from outside without even entering the temple.

2. Baisi Pahaca:

A flight of 22 steps starts from the eastern gate and these steps are considered very sacred.

3. Viswanath Temple:

Entering the temple along Baisi Pahaca, the pilgrim finds the famous Viswanath temple on his left side. As per practice, before seeing Jagannath, one should see Viswanath Shiva.

4. Ramachandra Temple:

Beside Viswanath temple, there is a small temple of Ramachandra where figures of Rama, Lakshman, Sita, Hanuman etc; are found. In another small temple, by its side Nrsimha and Ganesh images are installed.

5. Agneyeswar Temple:

After entering into the inner enclosure and turning to the left, the pilgrim finds a small temple where Agneyeswar Shiva, the guardian deity of Kurma Bedha is worshipped.

6. Satya Narayan Temple:

According to religious customs, Vishnu clad in white clothes is first invoked in all functions. This Vishnu is installed on the southern side of Kurma Bedha and goes by the name Satyanarayan. So the devotees see and worship Satyanarayan first of all during their visit to the temple. Some call him Satyapir. The image of Satyanarayan is carved in black marble stone and his attributes are conch-shell, disc, mace and lotus in four hands. The image of Satyanarayan is very beautiful.

7. Kalpavata:

There is a huge banyan tree in the inner enclosure which is called as Kalpavata. It has been described in Puranas, that at the end of the Kalpa, when the entire earth sinks under water, this tree remains standing. This tree fulfils the desire of the devoted visitors.

8. Kalpa Ganesh Temple:

This Ganesh temple lies under the Kalpavata towards south and hence the name. He is also known as Chintamani Ganesh. According to Vedic customs Ganesh is worshipped first in the regular worship of all gods and goddesses. It is said that Ganesh was being worshipped here after construction of the main temple of Jagannath and before installation of the deities therein. It is prescribed that devotees recite the Bija Mantra of Ganesh 108 times, to get all their desires fulfilled. The image is carved in white marble stone.

9. Sarva Mangala Temple:

This temple is situated at the back side of the Kalpa Ganesh temple. Sarvamangala is the source of all Shakti, i.e., energy and power. All beings of the world remain inactive without Shakti. So Sarvamangala, the primordial mother is worshipped in order to gain power. This temple is an important Pith (seat) for Tantric practices.

10. Pancha Pandava Temple:

It has been mentioned in Oriya Mahabharat that the 5 Pandava brothers while undergoing Vanavas (forest living) prayed here to Jagannath, in order to overcome all troubles. In memory of these 5 Pandavas, five Lingas of Shiva have been installed on the southern side of Kurma Bedha. These 5 Lingas are called Pancha Pandavas. Of the 5 Pandavas, the temple of Markandeswar is the largest and the other 4 Pandavas are Lokanath, Yameswar, Kapalamochan and Nilakanth.

11. Ananta Vasudev Temple:

In this temple on the southern side, the image of Ananta or Seshadev is under worship. Rites connected with the birthday of Ananta are observed here.

12. Maha Vajreswari Temple:

Maha Vajreswari also goes by the name Indrani. She is the Shakti of Indra and also of Kshetrapala Shiva.

13. Kuttam Chandi:

Kuttam Chandi has been installed on the northern wall of Ananta Vasudev temple. Her body resembles a dog, while her head is human. The image of this Chandi was first installed beside Jagannath on the Ratna Simhasan. Subsequently under the influence of the Vaishnavas, this image was removed and placed here. The residuary food(Chanda Naivedya) is offered to this deity and it is said to be a Tantric practice.

14. Surya Yantra Temple:

In the prescribed daily rituals of the temple, the worship of Sun-god comes first of all other activities. A Yantra (drawing) of the Sun-god is seen engraved in this temple and this is intended for Sun-worship.

15. Kshetrapala Temple:

In the southern side of Kurma Bedha, Kshetrapala Shiva has been installed in this temple. He is a form of Bhairav. This Kshetrapala is the protector of the main temple as well as the Kshetra.

16. Mukti Mandap:

This high pavilion is located just in front of the southern entrance of the Mukhasala. It is believed that during construction of the temple, Brahma himself sat on this pavilion and gave instructions to Viswakarma about the construction of the temple. Therefore this mandap is considered very sacred. At present, scholars and learned persons sit on this pavilion and deliberate on different religious texts and practices. They also give decisions on problems of religious law and customs. Their verdicts on social and religious practices are considered authentic. There is a big library on the right side of the Bimala Temple belonging to Mukti mandap.

17. Yagna Nrsimha Temple:

This temple, lying beside Mukti mandapa houses Yagna Nrsimha, who is worshipped on occasions of various Pratistha (consecration) ceremonies performed in the temple. It is said that Chodaganga dev had constructed this temple and installed this image in it before consecrating the main temple. A number of stone inscriptions regarding the temple affairs are seen engraved on different parts of this temple.

18. Jalakrida Mandap:

This high pavilion lying nearby is used in different festivals involving baths of the metallic deities including Bhitara Chandan.

19. Kanchi Ganesh Temple:

At the back-side of Jalakrida mandap, in a temple facing south, an image of Ganesh standing on a dancing pose is being worshipped. He is known by the name Kanchi Ganesh.

20. Rohini Kunda:

There is a small water-pot made of stone in front of Jalakrida Mandap, which goes by the name Rohini kund. This Kund has been elaborately described in the Puranas, stating that the water of this Kund is very sacred. It has also been mentioned that once a thirsty crow fell in the waters of this Kund and soon it assumed four-handed form (resembling Vishnu) and found its place beside Vishnu:

21. Bimala Temple:

The temple of goddess Bimala lies towards the south-western corner of Kurma Bedha. It has been narrated in several Puranas that, when Sati, the daughter of Daksha immolated herself in the sacrificial fire and Shiva wandered about in anger with her dead body on his shoulder, a portion of her foot dropped in this place, for which Bimala made her appearance here. That Bimala is now worshipped here as Adi Shakti (primordial energy). It is also stated that after construction of the main temple and before installation of the images in it, Bimala occupied the temple during that intervening period. Jagannath, after arriving at the temple had to obtain permission from Bimala to enter it. Bimala allowed Jagannath to stay in the temple on the condition that every Bhog (food offering) of Balabhadra and Jagannath after being offered to Them each time every day should be re-offered to her. As per the condition agreed upon, the Prasad of Jagannath is again offered to Bimala in each session. Then only it became Mahaprasad. Bimala is considered as the guardian deity of this entire Kshetra. This temple is also a famous Pith for Tantric practices.

22. Yogeswara Temple:

The temple of Yogeswar is situated on the western side of Kurma Bedha. He is a combination of both Shiva and Vishnu. The family-members of Shiva and Krishna are worshipped here. It is regarded as a meeting ground of both Saiva and Vaishnav communities.

23. Sakshi Gopal Temple:

The Gajapati king of Orissa named Purusottam dev, who was a devotee of Jagannath had defeated the king of Kanchi in a battle with active participation of both Jagannath and Balabhadra. While returning from Kanchi, Purusottam dev had brought with him the image of Sakshi Gopinath or Sakshigopal and had installed it in this temple. But afterwards, this image was re-installed in Sakshigopal at a distance of 20 km. from Puri. Now Gopinath is worshipped at two places in this temple as well as in Sakshigopal.

24. Bhanda Ganesh Temple:

Purusottam dev, after defeating the king of Kanchi in the battle, had brought with him the princess of Kanchi named Padmavati, the images of Sakshigopal and Ganesh. He installed Ganesh here at the western side of the temple.This Ganesh is otherwise called Kamada (bestower of all desired objects) Ganesh. He is a Tantric deity. The sculptural art of this image confirms the Karnatak in style.

25. Kshirachora Gopinath:

This temple appears near Ganesh temple. A black marble image of Gopinath is worshipped here. Another temple of Gopinath is also found in the village of Remuna in Balasore district in Orissa. There is a tradition that this Gopinath had stolen the milk offered by the worshipper.

26. Bhuvaneswari Temple:

According to Sakta view, it is obligatory to worship 5 Adi Mata (primordial mothers) and they are Saraswati, Gayatri, Savitri, Sasthi, and Bhubaneswari. In the Bhubaneswari temple, situated towards the western side of Kurma Bedha 5 mothers or 5 Shaktis are installed. The temple is also known as Pancha Shakti temple. Special worship is made to Saraswati on Basant Panchami, to Savitri on Savitri Amavasya and to Sasthi on Sasthi Osa days. This temple is very important for women."

27. Nila Madhav Temple:

Nila Madhav is worshipped in a temple at the western side. There is a tradition that Viswavasu was worshipping Nila Madhav at this site at first and then he shifted the deity to Kantilo in Nayagarh district in Orissa. Some say that this is the image installed by Gala Madhav referred to earlier.

28. Bedha Kali Temple:

The presiding deity of this temple is Mahamaya Kalika, seated on a Yantra. She is also called Bhadrakali and Yantrakali.

29. Lakshmi Narayan Temple:

Images of Lakshmi and Narayan are worshipped in this temple daily.

30. Maha Lakshmi Temple:

King Chodaganga dev had also constructed this temple for goddess Lakshmi along with the main temple of Jagannath. Much similarity is therefore noticed in the sculptural style between Jagannath and Lakshmi temples. This temple is situated at the north-western end of the inner enclosure. Scholars discuss topics on religion and philosophy relating to the Jagannath cult in the Jagamohan of this temple. As per prevailing practice, after seeing Mahalakshmi, devotees sit in this hall for some time and sing devotional songs, undertake Japa & Dhyana (meditation) for Vishnu. An image of Lakshmi- Nrsimha is placed in a niche in the Mukhasala of this temple. The figure of Sankaracharya is noticeable at the feet of Laksmi- Nrsimha. Again in the Jagamohan of the temple, portraits of Ramanujacharya and Alwars may also be seen.

31. Navagraha Temple:

This temple exists near Mahalakshmi temple and a slab containing the images of Navagraha (9 planets) has been installed here. But in this temple, the position of the 9 planets is different from other such images. In other Navagraha temples, the position of Surya (sun-god) is at the left and he is worshipped first. But in this temple, the position of Surya is at the right. So he is worshipped after all other planet-gods. Intending persons worship the gods and see them for appeasement of the grahas. Special worship is done for Shani god here every Saturday.

32. Surya Temple:

This temple lies on the northern side of the Kurma Bedha. Dharmadev or the Surya Sun-god is worshipped here. After the famous Sun-temple of Konark was damaged, the image of the Sun-god of that temple has also been shifted and installed in this temple. The system of worship which was prevalent in Konark is also observed. Nirbandh (betrothal) functions between both parties in a marriage are normally done in this temple.

33. Dadhi Vaman Temple:

Sri Krishna in the form of Dadhi vaman is worshipped in this temple.

34. Ramachandra Temple:

This small temple houses Rama, Lakshman, Sita, Hanuman, Jagannath and Shiva called Lokanath.

35. Pataleswar Temple:

The temple of Pataleswar Mahadev appears to have been constructed by king Anangabhima dev of the Ganga dynasty since some of his inscriptions are found here. The Linga image of the god is approachable much below the floor level and the temple appears as half-buried from outside.

36. Pada Padma Temple:

This temple houses the foot-prints of Vaishnava saint Chaitanya. Originally the slab containing the foot-prints were found behind the Garuda pillar in the Jagamohan and it was shifted to this site at a later date. This temple is very sacred to the Gaudiya vaishnavas.

37. Sua-Sari Temple:

This temple is situated on the eastern side of the inner enclosure. God Ramachandra is worshipped here.

38. Chaitanya Temple:

While visiting the temple Chaitanya had first started Kirtan near the entrance of Kurma Bedha. King Pratap Rudra dev was organising Satsang (religious discourses) at this place. Subsequently an image of Chaitanya was installed here. It exists at the eastern side of Kurma Bhedha.

39. Nisa Temple:

Images of 3 Parswa devatas (subsidiary deities) have been carved in three quarters of the main temple and 3 small temples have been erected in front of these images. These are called Nisa temples. The image of Varaha incarnation appears on the southern side, Nrsimha on the western and Trivikrama on the northern side. These images have been built in black marble stones and are exquisitely beautiful.

40. Deva Sabha Mandap:

Adjacent to the main temple on the northern side there is a wide space, where, it is said, gods, sages, celestial dancers and musicians assemble, discuss among themselves and then visit the main temple to meet Jagannath.

41. Madan Mohan Temple:

There is a temple close to the southern side of the main temple. Madan Mohan and other movable images are worshipped here. Madan Mohan represents Jagannath in all functions and festivals outside the temple premises except the Bathing festival and the Car festival. Dola Govind also represents Jagannath in Dola and some other festivals.

42. Majana Mandap:

This pavilion lies in front of Madan Mohan temple. Every Thursday, Marjana (washing and cleaning) of the body of Madan Mohan, Lakshmi and Saraswati is done here. Marriage of Rukmini and Abhishek (bathing) of Durga are also done here on prescribed days.

43. Nabhi Kata Mandap:

Cutting the navel string of baby Krishna is done on this pavilion on Janmastami day.

44. Temple Offices:

The Head Office building of Sri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee is located in Grand Road, Puri. A branch office functions on the northern side very close to Jagamohan of the temple. It is locally called "Garad", where the temple police and the officials in charge of law and order are stationed. Officers of higher rank one also present here at different times. The pilgrims and visitors may report their problems or lodge complaints here and seek their redressal. All information about the temple is also available here. Besides, there is another branch office in the inner enclosure towards the north. Various donations and fees are received here under proper receipt. Cleaning officials of the temple are also stationed here.

Besides, there are still many smaller and bigger temples at different places in the courtyard of the inner enclosure and images of various gods and goddesses have been housed therein and these are also being worshipped regularly.