9. Sankha Kshetra - Jagannath Puri dham

Sankha-kşhetra - Jagannath Puri dham: 

The holy land of Orissa (or Utkala) is divided into four kşetras. These kşetras are named after the four weapons of Lord Vişnu: sankha, cakra, gadā, and padma. 

Bhuvaneśvara is Cakra-kşetra, Jājpur is Gadā-kşetra, Konärk is Padma-kşetra, and Puri, which is geographically shaped like a conchshell, is known as Sankha-kşetra.

On the far west corner of Sankha-kşetra is the Lord Lokanātha temple, and on the far east is the Lord Nilakantheśvara temple. 

On the navel portion of Sankha-kşetra is Rohini- kunda, Kalpa-vața, and Lord Śri Jagannatha sitting on His ratna-simhāsana.

The skanda Purana says that one should commence parikrama of Sri Kshetra in Margasirsha month (November to December) on the fifth day of waning moon, which is the appearance day of Lord Narayana's Pancajanya Conchshell.



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