Jagannath Puri Dham - By Harsha Lalita devi dasi

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. Agneyes...

Tour of Main Jagannath Temple: The four sections of Jagannatha Swami's temple are listed here in the sequence you will see upon entering from the east side through the Lion Gate (Simha-dvara). The following entry beautifully describes the transcendental ambience one experiences within the sacred space of the Supreme Lord Jagannath. "While approaching the innermost sanctuary (Garbha Grha) of the Jagannath Temple through the various halls and past the many pillars and carved panels, a devotee is subtly influenced by the sacredness of the architecture. He finds himself enclosed with the Supreme Lord in a dim, soothing atmosphere. His eyes find rest after the fierce light of the day outside. Not only is the lighting dim, but the air is filled with the scent of flowers, burning oil lamps and incense coming from the sanctuary. Gradually, his mood calms and his spiritual feelings are awakened as he approaches the deities." According to Vedic scriptures, the doors and the deities...

IV. NORTHERN GATE/ELEPHANT GATE (Hasti Dwar): It is also known as Hastidwar (elephant gate) as small figures of two elephants made of stone are seen standing at both sides of the gate. It is also called Chemeni-dwar, because of the large number of house-bats staying on it. The upper door-frame depicts the 9 planets in usual Orissan style. A roof of Sikhar type (pyramid shape) has been constructed on each gate. The structural frame of the gate with the roof is known as "Gumut". NORTH AREA: 16. Koila Baikuntha: It is near the north elephant gate (Hati-Dvara). Another name of Koili Vaikunth is the land of Kaivalya or Nirvan. It is said that in the Dwapar age, the Pandavas had burried the dead body of Krishna at this site. Therefore during each Navakalevar, Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra are carved anew and the old murtis are buried here in a 9 feet deep hole. From very old days, a Siali creeper is said to be covering this site. This very ancient garden is said to be the place w...

III. WESTERN GATE/ TIGER GATE (Vyaghra Dwara): Four steps above the public road there is a door at the western side and two small figures of tiger are placed at both sides of it. So, it is also called Bya-ghradwar. 11. Niladri Bihar: Approached from the western gate, this art gallery is situated between the outer and inner enclosures and displays the pastimes of Lord Jagannath and the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Various stories and incidents relating the Jagannath cult have been displayed here with the help of clay models. The temporary Ratna Simhasan is also exhibited here. The museum is very attractive. There is a prescribed fee to visit the museum. SOUTH-WEST AREA: 12. Yajna Nrsimha Temple: Just near Mukti mandapa, it was built by King Codaganga dev before constructing the main temple of Jagannath. Skanda Purana (28.1-2) says Jagannath first appeared in the form of Nrsimha. But King Indradyumna was too terrified to look at this ferrocious form of God. Brahma then prayed to the Lord...

II. SOUTHERN GATE/ ASWADWAR (Horse Gate): The southern gate of the temple is known as Aswadwar (horse gate) and it is 5 steps above the public road. Towards the right side of the steps, a huge figure of Mahavir Hanuman has been installed. The door is said to be the entrance of the Tantrics to go inside the temple. SOUTHEAST AREA: 7. Rosaghar/Jagannath Temple Kitchen: There is a big kitchen hall in the outer enclosure of the temple located in agni-kon, the southeast corner of the compound. 8. Kalpa Bata: "Kalpa" means 1000 years and "vata" means banyan tree. This tree is towards the south side of the temple. This sacred, wish-fulfilling (kalpa-vrksa) banyan tree has been standing here since time immemorial and is not destroyed during the devastation, pralaya. It is a custom of barren women to spread a sari beneath this tree. If a fruit falls within a reasonable time period, they go home knowing they will obtain a child. The Kapila Samhita says one will be free from t...

Four Gates of Lord Jagannath Temple: There are 4 gates to enter into the great temple. 4 entrance gates facing the cardinal directions serve as passage ways for pilgrims. These gates are part of the 20-foot-high outer wall. During the 14th or 15th century, this wall was constructed all around the temple to ward off Muslim invaders. I. EASTERN GATE/ SIMHADWAR (Lion Gate): It is situated on the east. Generally, people enter into the temple through this gate. Huge figures of two lions made of sandstone are placed at both sides of the entrance, for which the gate is known as Simhadwar. 1. Aruna Stambha (Sun Pillar): There is a pillar named Aruna-stambha infront of this gate. This expertly carved, 34 foot high, sixteen-sided monolithic pillar, which formerly graced the Sun Temple in Konark, stands directly outside the Lion Gate on Grand Road. This single-stone column supports a figure of Aruna, the elder brother of Garuda and the charioteer of the Sun God Suryadeva. This used to be in front...

Jagannatha Mandira Parikrama: Sri Jagannath's temple has 2 compound walls and 4 entrance gates in the outer wall opening in the 4 directions. The east and main gate, Lion Gate (Simha-dvara) has 2 crouching stone lions flanking it. The south gate, Horse Gate (Aswa-dvara) has a pair of galloping horses carrying Jagannath and Baladeva on their backs with all Their martial glory. The west gate, Tiger Gate (Vyaghra-dvara) has two stone tigers, and the north gate, Elephant Gate (Hasti-dvāra) has a huge stone elephant. You may choose to first see Jagannath Swami, Baladeva and Subhadra in the main temple and then do parikrama or vice versa. Our Mandira parikrama begins at the main gate called the Lion Gate, Simha-dvara, which opens east on Grand Road (Ratha-yatra road). Entering the gate, keep to your left and walk clockwise around the temple visiting the numbered places in the sequence listed below. Besides sequential numbering, the places are grouped by directions from east to southeast,...