About Puri

In the following ancient sankrit poetic works ( puranas ) we come across reference to purusottamkshetra ,jagannath and puri. The exact year of composition of these puranas cannot be determined. but the approximatc period has been mentioned against each.

Agni puran ( 700-800 a.d.) , bramhapuran ( 900-1500 a.d.) , padmapuran ( uttarakhanda ) ( 600-700 a.d.) , naradiyapuran ( 600-700 a.d.) , matschyapuran ( 200-400 a.d.) , skandapuran ( vaishnavakhanda ) ( 800-900 a.d.) , kapilapuran/kapilasamhita ( 13th century a.d.) , bramhandapuran ( 500-600 a.d.)

Besides there are other Sanskrit subsequent work like rudrajamala,kalikapurana, bamadevsamhita, neeladrimahodayaetc.In Sanskrit Ramayana and mahabharat, there is no clear and specific reference to this sacred place and the deity. But the word ‘ jagannath ‘ has been mentioned at several places . for instance , lord rama had advised bibhishana to work ship jagannath-“aradhyajagannatham,lksvakukuladainatam” ( uttarakhanda ) . some scholars hold the view that the ‘vedi’ or rantanvedi’ as referred to in the Sanskrit mahabharat, was puri.jagannath is also known as daru brahma or the prime soul enshrined in wood .some scholars co-relate this ‘daru’ with that “apurusamdaru” as mentioned in rig veda ( 10/155) and opine that jagannath worship started some time before the christen era.

The jagannath temple was built in the 12th century A.D. by king Anantaburmanchodagangadev , the founder of ganga dynasty in Orissa. According to some scholars, Chodaganga started construction of the temple, but it was completed during the time of his Descendantanangabhimdev (III).sterling in his in history of Orissa “ says that Anangabhimdev built the temple in 1196 AD .but forguson says it was 1098 A.D according to hunter, the construction of the temple began in 1174 A.D and ended in 1198 A.D.R.D banarjee opines that the temple was built by Chodagangadev at the close of the 11th century.

Mahamahopadhyaya sadasivakavyakantha in his book 'Srijagannathmandir' says that the temple was built in 1197 A.D. by Chodagangadev , in Madalapanji ( old chronicles of the temple written on palmleaves ) it is mentioned that Anangabhimdev ordered construction of the present temple . a copper plate grant discovered in 1949 in cuttack district indicates that Anangabhim constructed the temple . Prof. Kailash Chandra Dash is of opin-ion that Chodagangadev constructed the temple and installed the deities therein in they year 1124-25 A.D

Airport - Bhubaneswar is the nearest Airport of Puri& distance is about 60 Km. Indian Airline has flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata& Chennai. Other Airlines like Jetlite, Indigo, Air Deccan and Kingfisher have flight from different metropolis of the Country to Bhubanswar.

Rail - Puri Station is a terminus on the East Cost Railway having fast and super fast train link with New Delhi, Kolkata, BaidyanathDham (Okha), Ahmedabad, Tirupati, Jodhpur etc.

Road - The NH 203 is connected from Rasulghar, Bhubaneswar to Puri is about 60 Km. One can also approach by road via Konark through the Marine Drive coving about 100 Km.

Orissa is a state impressed in festivities round the year. In Puri, the land of Lord Jagannath, the festivals have a special warmth. Around mid-April when the Hindu New Year begins, it is season for the famous ChandanYatra at Puri. The ChalantiPratimas or proteges of the deities take a ritual boat ride after a refreshing bath in the sweet scented sandal wood water.

The SnanaYatra, literally the Bathing Festival follows next in which the three deities are installed on the bathing platform and given a ceremonial bath after which they are believed to fall ill after the SnanaYatra. The Lords then convalesce inside the sanctum sanctorum, closed to public view. During this period devotes are allowed to have a darshan of the images of the lords on cloth painting or pattachitra especially prepared for this purpose.

Then comes the annual journey of the three deities, on grand chariots to the Gundicha Temple, considered as their birth place. This world famous festival of Chariots call RathaYatra attracts million of devotees who throng puri to witness the unique event. The lord are taken out in a process and adorn the Gundicha temple for 8 days after which hey return to Shreemandir on their chariots.

Apart from this, tourist festival like ShreekshetraUtsav& Beach Festival are also great attraction.

The Long stretch of Beach at Puri, known as Mohodadhi is one of the largest (7Km) and loveliest in india. Most of the foreigners like this Beach and Indian corporate people, recommended this beach as one of the best resorts in India.Sea beach at Puri has its own golden sandy look and beauties of nature. Like other Sea Beach of the world Puri Sea beach attracts lot of foreign visitors to spend some hours. Waves of Puri Beach, is not high like Indian Ocean, so people are enjoying long time for bathing. Now day’s people are busy with their current schedule of work, they get very little time to enjoy the actual beauty of the nature. Perhaps they don't know, Life is very short span of time, they should visit the place which gives them peace and reduce mental tension.

Sunset is beautiful, lots of poem has written to describe its beauties. The Sunset, nature indicates to the world, it is the beginning of the rest time. Sunset at Puri, create lots of scenery for enhance the nature creativity. Originally Puri is the city of joy; literally it is called as 'Bhogakhetra' means land of enjoyment. Beach at puri, satisfy the concept of Bhogahetra', More People prefer to visit beach at Sunset time; the color of sea are naturally change at sunset. People are enjoying, counting the tide of Sea.

Balighai Beach, about 8 km away from Puri, is relatively quitter, and if you are lucky you may even spot the residential deer browsing through the undergrowth near the beach.

Ashrams and Matha :
Centering round the great temple of lord jagannath, many matha ( monasteries ) grew up gradually in course of time in this holy town. In the past,many sants and sahus had come to puri tohave darshan of lord jagannath. They came in contract with and in flue need the gajapati kings though their philosophical doctrines. The saints and sadhus established their moasteries on the lands donated to them by the kings and wealthy persons. The mathas continued preaching their respective doctrines and also performed certain ritual services in the jagannath temple. With endowed properties and lands. The heads of the mathas were able to maintain their institution. Lands were donated to the mathas for amritmsnohi the proceeds there of were spent in offering bhoga to jagannath and the mahaprasad thus obtained, were distributed among the pilgrims , pupils, ascetics and beggars , the functions of the mathas were

• propagation of the essential philosophy of Hinduism and jagannath culture
• providing shelter to pilgrims coming to puri
• providing accommodation/financial help to poor and meritorious students
• participating in various rituals of the jagannath

THE FOUR ASHRAMS :
Connected with certain rituals of the temple of jagannath there are four ashrams (hermitages) in puri town. These are angira ashram, pandu ashram, markandeya ashram , and parasara ( ugrasena ) ashram On the ninth day of the bright fortnight sravana, the nrusimha deity of the jagannath temple pays avisit in a ceremonial manner to these four ashrams. This is called ' badi nrusimha bije'. Sital bhog is offered to the deity in each ashram. On the full moon day of margasira. Nrusimha again visits these place. On the full moon day of sravana. Lord sudarshan visits all these ashrams. These ashrams are being managed by different local committees.

There are some other ashrams bot ritually connected with shri jagannath temple. Some of those ashrams are bijaya Krishna goswami ashram ( near the narendra tank) adwait brahasram ( girnarbamta ), omkarnath thakur or nellachala ashram ( swargadwar area ), karar ashram ( founded by the great kaiya yogi sri yukteswar giri, swargadwar area ), bharat sevashram (swargadwar area), pranavananda ashram ( near chakartritha road ) , satsangha ashram (chakartritha road) nigamananda ashram ( lokanath temple road ) , maa anandyamayi ashram (swargadwar area) , abhiram paramahanshasram ( mariachi kote lane) bhagabat ashram ( near bus stand ) ,haridas ashram ( sarbodaya nagar)

JAGANNATH BALLAVA MATHA :
It is so to say the pleasure garden of lord jagannath . the bije pratimas ( the representative images ) of lord jagannath visit the matha on different festive occasions like ' basanta panchami' on the 1st,4th,5th, and 12th days in the bright fortnight of falguna.this matha supplies flower-ornaments like tilak and jhumpa badasinghar besha and supplies kora ( a sweet food ) for ' kaliyadalana' and pralambasura badha' beshas. It also supplies dayana chori ritual.

RAGHABA DAS MATHA :
It is situated near the sourhthern gate of the jagannath temple . this matha supplies tahia on snana purnima, car festival,return car festival and niladribije days. It supplied a part of the hati besha . it supplies tulsi for pahandi and a certain quantity of sandal wood for sarbanga neeti on khalilagi ekadasi. It also supplies flower garlands for nabanka besha and offers adhara pana bhog and panti bhog on certain festive days.

ODIYA MATHA :
This matha is responsible for supply of the materials for certain rituals. It supplies, trimundi chandua and silk clothes for chaka apasara, repairs kankamundi . it also supplies till oil for ' phooluri neeti', oli and ghee etc for deva deepavali , offers chakata bhog in ansra and adharapana bhog and panti bhog on certain festive days. On neeladri bije day, the mahanata makes majana or ratnabedi

EMAR MATHA :
It was established by the saint ramanuja . this matha supplies chandrika and chausara made of flowers for the badasinghar besha of the lords, mala and Chula for the 'nabanka' ritual . it offers ' pana bhog ' during the chandan yatra, ' chakata bhog' during the ansara period and bala bhog during the month of kartika

GOPALATRITHA MATHA :
This matha supplies a part of ' hati besha' on the snana purnima day and makara Chula on the snana purnima makara samkrnti days and offer panti bhog

GOBARDHAN MATHA :
It was established by the great sankarachrya in the swargadwar area of puri became on the four important 'dhams' ( place ) of Hinduism because of establishment of this matha by the great saint .

The head of this matha also known as sankarachrya is permanent head ( nayak ) of the muktimandap of the jagannath temple by virtue of his position . the temple authorities use to consult him in religious or ritual matters when ever necessary

BADA CHHATA MATHA :
Situated in front of temple. Performs kirtan at the time of mangala arti and pahuda arti and baladhupa. Padama besha of is done and kshiri bhog offered by thes matha.

SUNA GOSWAMI MATHA :
It supplies flower ornament like alaka and chasura during the chandan yatra, makes majana of ratnavedi at the time of banakalagi, supplies adhibas jala from the well of sitala for snana purnima rituals, and offers panti bhog to dola gobinda at the time of agniutschaba. The mahanta of this matha also happens to be the mahanata of darpanrayan matha.

MANGU MATHA :
It is located by the side of the emar matha. It is associated with the memory of guru nanak. This matha has a role in the puja to goodess bimala, each year on mahanabami night. There is another matha of guru nanak sect, known as baaul matha.

The other mathas connected with the affairs of the jagannath temple are shri rama das ( dakhina parshwa ) matha,uttara parshwa matha,trimali matha ,mahiprakas matha , sankarananda matha , gangamata matha , radhaballava matha , labanikhia matha , chhauni matha , jhadu matha , papudia matha , nebala das matha , devagiri matha , pipili sadabarta matha , sanchhata matha , jaanjapitha matha ,Samadhi matha , balaram kotha matha, bedasantha matha, ramji matha , sidhabakula matha, venkatanta matha , narasinghchari matha , ghumusra matha , radhakanta matha etc..

About Govardhan Matha :
It is generally accepted as tradition that Adi Sankaracharya (The Greatest Indian Philosopher) founded four mathas (monasteries) as seats of Hindu religion at four ends of India- the Sringeri matha on the Sringeri hills in the south, the Sharada matha on the Dwaraka coast in

the west, the Jyotish matha at Badrinath in the north, the Govardhan matha at Puri, Orissa in the east. These are the four major spiritual centres in India.

Jagadguru Swami Bharti Krishna Tirthaji Mahraja- the father of High Speed Vedic Math became the Sankaracharya (Head) of Govardhan Matha Puri in 1925.

Hence the Govardhan Monastery became the seat of Vedic Mathematics as well along with other philosophical subjects. The current head of Govardhan Monastery His Holiness Jagadguru Swami Sri Nischalananda Saraswatiji is an eminent Mathematician himself and has authored over three books on Vedic Mathematics which are Ankapadiyam, Swastik Ganit and Ganita Darshan . Swamiji will reconstruct the lost volumes of the Vedic Math Texts written by Bharati Krishnaji in two years after his lengthy and painstaking research on the subject and plans to name it 'Vedikarsh Ganit'.

The Vedic Maths Forum India has been blessed by the current Sankaracharya and it continues to do its work with pride under the saint's blessings.

About the current Sankaracharya :
Born in the year 1943 as Nilambarji in the village of Haripur Bakshitol in North India to pious parents. A Very talented student Nilambarji started his education in the Sciences, Mathematics and other Sanskrit Texts. In the young age of 16 he was inclined towards spirituality and he left home for Delhi to gain the blessings of the Sankaracharya of the Jyotish Matha. He was named ‘ Dhruvachaitanya' by the great saint. His Holiness Sankaracharya Jagadguru Nishchalananda Saraswati at Puri In 1970 he begins his pilgrimage of various holy places in the corners of India and gains insight into pure knowledge and broadens his horizons. Shortly in 1974 he gains sainthood and was renamed 'Nischalananda Saraswati'. His Holiness then studies Vedas, Upanishads, Sciences, Mathematics deeply and other ancient texts of India of significance and importance. Due to his personality and knowledge of scriptures His Holiness was crowned the Head of Govardhan Monastery in 1992 and he is the 145 th Sankaracharya of the order. Thereafter he preaches in the corners of India about Vedas, the unity of the nation etc. His Holiness is an eminent Mathematician and a scholar. He has authored the books on the basis of Vedic mathematics and has devoted all his books to the Late Bharti Krishna Tirthaji Maharaja.

PANCHA TIRTHA OF PURI :
Besides the temple of Lord Jagannath there are other sacred places in Puri. In Puri there are five sacred bathing places. They are known as the Pancha Tirtha. They are Indradyumna Tank, Markandeya Tank, Swetaganga, Sea and Rohini Kunda. It is believed that the visit to Puri is incomplete unless the ceremony of Pancha Tirtha is performed. By Pancha Tirtha is meant the custom of bathing in the five holy Tanks. By visiting Lord Jagannath and bathing in the Pancha Tirthas the pilgroms gets Salvation.

INDRADYUMNA TANK :
Located on the north western part of the Gundicha temple, this Indradyumna Tank is one among the five sacred tanks of Puri. It is 396 feet wide and 485 feet long, and covers an area of four and a half acres. The place is famous for its religious importance and its connection to Lord Krishna. A temple of child Krishna stands here. Near the temple is a small shrine, dedicated to King Indrayumna of Orissa. At this place the 'Ashwamedha Yagnya' arranged by Indradyumna is materialised by Brahma. After the end of the Yangya innumerable Brahmins were gifed. Now this 'Yangya Kunda' is known as Indradyumna tank. The statue of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra being constructed by Biswakarma is located near this Yanga kunda at Gundicha temple. On its banks there are several small temples.

SWETAGANGA TANK :
Swetaganga is a small sacred tank situated to the west of the Jagannath Temple in Puri. According to Mahabharat the Swetaganga is created from the nail of Lord Vishnu. The Swetaganga is situated in between Lions gate and Swargadwar. This Ganga is from the bottom of the earth and the water is sacred. Before visiting Lord Jagannath the pilgrims after bathed in Sea again takes a bath on Swetaganga and visits Lord Jagannath. It is believed that there is an internal connection between Swetaganga and the river Ganga. On the bank of this pond are two small temples, dedicated to Sweta Madhava and Matsya Madhava.

Rohini Kunda :
Rohini Kunda is one of the Pancha Tirthas of Puri. This place is located inside Lord ROHINI KUNDA Jagannath temple and in front of Goddess Vimala temple. On the holy spot there is a symbol of Wheel and a Crow of four feet. The water of the origin of the creation is known as 'Karana Water'. This water is secretely stored in this Rohini Kunda. Another incident is also spoken by people about Rohini Kunda. After constructing the temple of Lord Jagannath King Indradyumna invited Brahma for its fullpledged stature. At that time King Galamadhava possessed the temple and demanded that the temple belonged to him. On the presence of Brahma the dispute came to a close. Both the crow and the wheel witnessed on the side of King Indradyumna and stayed there forever. King Galamadhava remained on the holy water and prayed Lord Jagannath forever.

MARKANDEYA TANK :
God saved Sage Markandeya from a severe danger from Sea. The place where God saved Markanda is known as Markandeya, the holy place. On that particular spot Markandeya remained on meditation for a long time. He also grasped the sprit of Bhagabat, He also arranged a Yangya on that spot. At this place a temple was constructed by sage Markandeya. The Markandeya tank exists beside the temple and is one among the Pancha Tirthas of Puri.

SEA :
The Sea also called the Mahodadhi is considered a sacred bathing spot in the Swargadwar area. The greatest attraction of Puri for travellers and pilgrims is its long sandy Sea Beach. The Sea beach of Puri is one of the best beach in India for both tourists and religious point of view. Out of the five great holy tanks of Puri, Sea is the greatest and holist for travellers. Puri Sea beach is the source of beauty and leisure resort.

Outside the jagannath temple, there are some temples connected with rituals of lordjagannath. Those are as follows -:

The panchapandavas :
Out of many, there are five important siva temple in this holy town which are known together as “ panchapandava” or the five pandavas. Those temple are srilokanath, srijameswar, srikapalmocha ,srimarkandeswar and srinilakantha , to elaborate a/ Sri lokanath temple This temple is ranked next to the jagannath temple in ancient time;puriwas also a seat of sivaworship. Legend says that the‘linga’ of the lokanath temple was installed here by lord rama. this shiv-linga remains submerged in water though out the year and is visible only on the night of pankodharekadasi before the sivaratri, when all the water is bailed out to enable thousands of the devotees to see and worship the lord Lordlokanath’s ‘bejeprtima ‘ ( representative image ) Is in the jagannath temple , known as bhandarlokanath, he is the guardian deity of the temple treasure .houselokanathisassociated with jagannath in several rituals, like sivaratri, chandanyatra , sitalsasthi etc.. b/ Jameswar temple This is temple; situated about a km. from the jagannathtemple is connected with the chandanyatra,sagarbije, ashram bije,sitalsasthi, champak dwadasietc.rituals. c/ Kapalamochan temple Situated south-west of jagannath temple in the manikarnika street. This temple has connection with certain rituals of jagannathtemple, e. g. chandanyatra, sitalsasthi. It is managed by a committee. d/ Markandeswar temple Situated in the markandeswar street by the side of the markandeswar tank. To the north of the jagannathtemple. It is connected withchandanyatra,balabhadrayanma. Ashram bije, sitalsasthi, kaliyadalana etc. rituals of jagannathtemple. It is managedby committee. There are ancient stone inscriptions on the temple walls pertaining to the ganga dynasty e/ Nilakantha temple Situated on the bank of the indradymna temple. To the north-east of the gundichatemple. It is connected withchandanyatra, sitalsasthi rituals and is managed by committee. There are some other

Gundicha Temple :
There is reference to the gundichaghar in chapter five. it is a replica of the jagannath temple , situated by northern end of the grand road . On the car festival day, the deities come, out from the jagannath temple and are driven to this temple, where they camp for seven days. For the remaining days of the year, this temple has been lealsed out by the srijagannath temple managing committee..

Nrusimha Temple :
It has connection with the nabakalebar ceremony, situated behind the Gundicha Temple.

Mausimaa temple :
Situated almost on the mid way of the grand road. It is a small temple of the goddess ardhasini. She is also called mausimaa (themother’ssister) of lordjagannath. On the return car festival day. Podapitha (one kind of cake) is offered to jagannath on behalf of this temple. It is managing committee.

AlamChandi Temple :
It is situated in the kumbharapada area and connected with the satapuri, maker samkrnti and navakalebar rituals.

Dakshina kali Temple :
The goddess dakghina kali plays an importance role in the rituals of satapuriamabasya

Narayani Temple :
Situated in dolamandpa street during in puja for sixteen days in the month of ashwina, image durga and madhab from srimandir visit this temple for a period of eight days.

Bedi Hanuman Temple :
This is temple is on the sea shore of balukhanda area and is connected with panasamkranti rituals of thejagannat temple.

Charchika Temple :
Situated near the srijagannath temple office on the grand road. the capenter and bhoisevaks worship this godess at the time of construction of chariots.

Chakratirthanarayan ( Nrusimha) Temple :
Situated on the sea shore in the chakartrithaarea. This temple is connected with thenrusimhayanma ritual of the jagannath temple.

Shyamakali Temple :
The temple of goddessshyamakali is situated in the old place area, about half km. to the south of the jagannath temple AstasambutempleIsaso in same area

Kanaka durga Temple :
It is in the premises of the present srinahar(place) of themaharaja, in front of the jagannath temple office. Certain materials for preparation of bhog for the deity of this temple are supplied by the sriJagannath Temple Administration. The deity of this temple is the home deity of gajapati maharaja.

Siddha Hanuman Temple :
Situated at a little distance behind the gundichatemple. it is believed that the poet-saint tulsi das stayed for some time when he visit puri

Totagopinath Temple :
It is near the jameswartemple. It was the asharam of rasikanandagoswami . the idol of Krishna of worshipped here

SunaarGauranga Temple :
Situated in the chakartirthaarea. A beautiful image of srigourakrishna (gopalKrishna) made of asthdhatu is worshipped here along with some other image. There are some temples outside the puri town having rituals relationship with the jagannathtemple. those are:

Mangala Temple :
Situated in kakatapur . At the outset of the navakalebar festival, the daitas, patimahapatra, deulakaran, deulapurohit biswakarmas and some other sevakas set out in searh of daru and proceed to the place. There they implore the mercy of the goddess mangala so that they would be able to spot out the trees for making the new bodies of the lords.

Bali Harachandi Temple :
A beautiful place near bramhagiri. This temple has relation with the srijagannath temple in respect of rituals on the mahanavami day in the month of ashwina.

The Swargadwar It is a cremation place on the sea beach towards the southwestern corner of the town. There is a firm belief if the last rites of a person is performed here his or her soul goes liberated and gooses to haven.

Atharanala :
It is an ancient bridge over the madhupur or matia stream, which serves as a link to puri town. It is made of laterite stones and having 18 spans. Hence the name of the bridge is atharnala (eighteen spans) .but actually there are 19 spans. The information regarding the actual year of construction of the bridge is not available. But it is believed to have been built towards the end of the 13th century.

Bata Mangala Temple :
On the puri –bhubaneswar road at a little distance from the atharanala bridge stands the temple of goddess batamangla. Pilgrims coming to and going from puri offer prayer to the goddess.

PuriShankha-kshetra is depicted as shown in the image above, lay out on a grid matching the shape of a right-handed, or Dakshinavarta-shankha. Within and along the edges of this conch are the 115 transcendental abodes of PuriDham, being temples, shrines, mathas, tanks, trees, and other sacred sites. The area covers approximately 10 square miles, of which 40% is submerged beneath the sea.

At the center of Shankha-kshetra is the abode of Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhardra, who reside in the ancient temple of JagannathPuri, on a hillock known as Nilagiri, or the Blue Hill. To the west lies the broad end of the shankha, where Lokanath Temple is situated, one of eight Shiva temples in the Holy Dham.

The cone or apical end of the shankha points to the east, and another Shiva temple is located there, the Nilakantha Temple. The distance between Lokanath and Nilakantha temples is about two miles.

The conch-like shape of JagannathaPuri is also said to be comprised of seven concentric folds. The first, the innermost fold, is the kshetra's navel, and this marks the place where the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Jagannath, brother Baladeva and sister Subhadra reside.