Famous Temples

Puri is one of the famous Dhamas(holy places) of India. Adi Shankaracharya founded one of the Peethas here. This holy district has seventeen important tourist spots. Among them the noteworthy are: The ancient and world famous Sri Mandir and its attractive seabeach along with Mathas and Ashrams. Sri Gundicha temple, Adi Sankaracharya's Gobardhan Math, Siddha Mahabir temple, Chakratirtha, Sunar Gaurang, Atharnala, Panchatirtha Pond, Nanak's Bauli Matha, Radhakanta Matha established by Sri Chaitanya, Haridas Thakur's Siddha Bakula & Haridas Matha, Khirachora Gopinatha, Ramanuja's court, Emar Matha, Batamangala, Adwaita Brahma Ashram otherwise known as Ginaribanta and Puri's Swargadwara are the main attraction for the tourists all over the world. Jagannath temple , is situated in the heart of Puri town which is 62 kms from Bhubaneswar. Puri is one of the famous Dhamas(holy places) of India. The main temple, a majestic structure of 65 meters, stands on an elevated platform , its swirling pinnacle commanding the landscape for miles around. Apart from the main temple one should see within its precincts the smaller temples of Goddess Vimla, Laxmi and Vishnu and Ananda Bazar, the biggest food market of the world. In this temple the lord of Universe is worshiped with his elder brother Balabhadra and his younger sister Suvadra. The name of the lord as Purusottam (Perfection personified) or as Jagannath ( Lord of Universe) represents a universality in time with the familiar fraternity of mankind (vasudeva Kutumbakam). The lord with his outstretched open arms held in the posture of an embrace symbolizes love and friendship. The height of the temple is 65 meters with a fort like compound down the broad path. which epitomizes the Kalinga architecture.The holy kitchen of the temple prepares the 'Mahaprasad' for atleast 10,000 people everyday. The festival of chariots known as the Rath eater, an annual ritual spreading over the entire summer and monsoon months, makes Puri attractive and enjoyable for tourists during this season. In this festival the three main deities Balaram, Suvadra, and Jaganath are majestically wheeled down the broad path.They are taken in the huge and beautifully caparisoned multiwheeled chariots to another temple that is 3 kms away. After nine days return journey is made. 

Alarnath Temple : Lord Alarnath is the representative of Lord Jagannath. Sri Alarnath Dev temple is situated in Brahmagiri . This temple is related to Sri Mandir and the memory of Srichaitanya. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has visited this temple. Pilgrims visit this temple during the Anasara of Sri Jagannath. 

Biswanath Temple is situated on a high mountain called Biswanatha hill near Delanga. This place attracts tourists for its natura l beauty and greenery all around it. There is an ancient idol of Baraha. There exists many Budha Stupas also. 

Baliharachandi shrine is nearby. Only 27km from Brahmagiri is Satpada, an ideal place to enjoy Chilika and to have a glimpse of cavorting Dolphins. 

The Sakshigopal Temple : Sakhigopal temple is famous for the temples of RadhaKrishna and Ram, Laxman and Sita. Sakhigopal at a distance of 15 km from Puri. The life size stone image of Lord Gopinath alias Gopal was at Kanchi which was later on bought by King Purusottam to Orissa and consecrated at Sakhigopal. A great fair is annually held here on tha Anla Nabami day in the month of Kartika. Many medicinal and rare plants are found behind this temple. Bakula Bana of Panchasakha otherwise known as Banavidyalaya is also situated here. 

Sri Gundicha Temple : The temple bears the name of Gundicha Devi, queen of King Indradyumna. At the time of the Car Festival, the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra halt at Gundicha temple for 7days and return to the main temple on Bahuda Yatra day. 

Sri Loknath Temple : This temple is only 3 kms away from Sri Mandir. God Shiva is worshipped as Loknath in this temple. There the presiding deity God Sri Lokanath remains submerged under water. On the Sivaratri day, a grand fair is held here. The Phallic God becomes visible on the Sivaratri day after Pankodhar Ekadashi. Pilgrims are attracted towards its natural beauty. 

Konark Temple : Konark's Sun temple is built by Ganga dynasty's King Nrusingha Dev in the thirteenth century. It is also known as Black Pagoda and Arkakhetra. Eighteen lakh pilgrims visit this temple annually to watch its sculptural and artistic beauty. Located at a distance of 65kms from Bhubaneswar, this unique temple is located on hte seashore. It was built on the sea bank with water lashing its walls. But now the sea has receded and the temple is little away from the beach. The whole temple was conceived as a gigantic chariot represented bt intricately carved out gigantic wheels at the basement. Now only the Mukhasala or the Porch and the Nata Mandap or the Dance Pacillion are left. Yet the Porch alone rivals the great temples of the world. 

Kakatpur : Kakatpur's renowned Maa Mangala temple is situated at a distance of 50kms from Puri, on the Puri-Astaranga road. This temple also observes NabaKalebar custom like the SriMandir. About 1lakh pilgrims visit this temple annually. 

Ramachandi Temple near Konark : At the bank of river Kushsbhadra, the temple of Ramachandi is situated which is only 5kms away from Konark on the south eastern side. Goddess Ramachandi is the presiding deity of this temple.

Bhairabi Temple : Near Berhampur, 20 kms away on NH-5. The temple is famous for Goddess Maa Bhairabi and is spread over 20 acres of land. There are 108 temples in addition to the main temple and Jagannath temple. With a beautiful garden and villages surrounding it.