Exploring the Shrines Within Shri Jagannath Temple Complex

 

The Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri, a revered pilgrimage site, is more than just the grand Bada Deula (main temple). The Jagannath Temple shrines surrounding the main sanctuary form a vast sacred complex, with each shrine carrying its own history and significance. Enclosed by the Meghanada Pacherey and the Kurma Beda, this divine realm houses approximately 100 temples. Together, these Jagannath Temple shrines contribute to the spiritual richness of the site and invite devotees to understand the wider sacred landscape of Shri Kshetra.

 

Jagannath Temple Shrines and the Main Temple Structure

 

The Shri Jagannath Temple is divided into four main parts, which create the central setting for many Jagannath Temple shrines:

 

Bimana (Main Temple): The core structure where the primary deities reside.

 

Jagmohana: The audience hall, located in front of the main temple.

 

Natamandapa: The dancing hall where the devotional activities are performed.

 

Bhog Mandapa: The offering hall where food is prepared and presented.

 

The Bada Deula (Main Temple) is built in the Pancharatha style and rises to a height of 214.8 feet. The Neelachakra (blue wheel) and the Patitapabana Bana (flag) adorn its peak. Inside, on the Ratna Singhasana (jeweled throne), reside Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, and Sudarshana.

 

The entrance to the Jagamohana is through the Kalahata Dwara, and from the Natamandapa to the Jagamohana is through the Jaya-Vijaya Dwara. The two guardian deities stand as a gateway to the divine.

 

Notable Jagannath Temple Shrines

 

Among the Jagannath Temple shrines near the Baisi Pahacha, Agneshwara Temple houses a Shiva Linga with a Nandi bull outside. It is traditionally believed that food brought near this temple is blessed and properly prepared, and Agneshwara is regarded as a protector of the Kurma Beda.

 

Ananta Basudeva Temple: Situated on the left side as one walks towards Mukti Mandap from Bata Ganesha, this temple houses a reclining Vishnu.

 

Kutamachandi Temple: On the left side of the Baisi Pahacha or on the right while entering Ananta Basudeva Temple, here, Chandi is seated upon a dog. Legend says, when bhoga is offered here, a dog leaves the temple to roam the complex.

 

Indrani or Mahabrajeshwari: Located south of the Jagamohana. This temple houses the deity of Indrani.

 

Maa Ghanta Mundein: At the left of the Singha Dwara Ghumuta (dome) on the outside, this is where the Goddess Ghanta Mundein is worshipped.

 

Kashi Vishwanath Temple: Located on the left side of the Baisi Pahacha, near the Shri Ramachandra Temple. This houses a Shiva Linga.

 

Chakra Narayana Temple: Located near the Char Dham temple on the inner side of the western dwara (gate), this is where Lord Vishnu is worshipped.

 

Nilamadhava Temple: Located near the Vimala Temple, this is where Nilamadhava (a smaller form of Jagannath) is worshipped, in memory of the Biswabasu lore.

 

Markandeshwara Temple: Situated near the Bata Mangala temple or beside Jagamohana, this houses a Shiva Linga.

 

Natua Ganesha: Behind the main temple, the west gate and near the Mukti Mandap, Natua Ganesha is seen in a dancing pose.

 

Panchamukhi Hanuman: Located in the southern outer compound near the Nilachala Upabana. Hanuman faces south here with five faces.

 

Dakshineshwara Mahadev: Located at the left of the main kitchen door near the Ganga-Jamuna well, this is where a Shiva Linga is venerated.

 

Among the western Jagannath Temple shrines, the Navagraha Temple is situated beside the Mahalakshmi temple and houses the nine planets.

 

Durga Madhav: Located within the Bhog Mandap, this shrine has both Durga and Vishnu residing within.

 

Dadhi Baman: On the northern inner compound near the Surya temple or south of the Mahalakshmi temple or near the store room, is the Dadhi Baman Temple.

 

Paschima Dwara Mahavir/Kanapata Hanuman: As one enters through the Western gate, on the left of the museum is where Mahavir is venerated, known as the keeper of the western gate.

 

Mukteshwar Mahadev: Located on the outer side of the temple, near the Surya Yantra, this enshrines a Shiva Linga.

 

Padapadma: Located near the northern gate, this is where the footprints of Sri Chaitanya are enshrined in marble.

 

Fateh Mahavir: At the left of the Singha Dwara Ghumuta, this is where Lord Hanuman resides.

 

Bara Bhaya Hanuman: On the southern side outside, this temple hosts twelve Hanuman deities named: Janma Hanuman, Gaya, Gabaksha, Sushena, Jambavana, Hanuman Tarakshya, Angada, Souri, Sugreeva, Nala, and Neela.

 

Baikunthanath, Tapaswi Mahavir and Sushena: On the northern outer side of the temple are three deities together: Baikhunthnath Vishnu, Mahavir Hanuman and Sushena.

 

Among the Jagannath Temple shrines around the Kalpabata tree, Bata Ganesha has been worshipped since the founding of the temple and is regarded as the Adidev, or first deity.

 

Bata Jagannath: In front of Bata Ganesha are two ponds. It’s believed that this is where the deities’ clothes are washed.

 

Parshunath-Dhabaleshwar: Located near the Chakra Narayana Temple on the inner side of the western gate, here you’ll find a Shiva Linga.

 

Bata Krishna: At the base of the Kalpabata, resides the Krishna deity.

 

Among the Jagannath Temple shrines associated with the inner sacred landscape, Bimala Devi Temple is located near Kamala Temple, where Goddess Bimala is worshipped.

 

Bedha Kali: To the left of the Bimala Temple or after the Neelamadhava temple, resides the protector of the complex, Goddess Bedha Kali.

 

Bhanda Ganesha: Located behind the main temple near the western gate, this is where Ganesha is venerated.

 

Koili Baikuntha: Located on the northern outer compound, here the celestial crow obtained a four-armed form and attained liberation.

 

Benu Madhav: Near the Bimala Temple, here Radha and Krishna are worshipped.

 

Yagnya Nrusingha: Near the Mukti Mandap or in front of the Natua Ganesha is where the temple of Nrusingha is located.

 

Among the western Jagannath Temple shrines, Maa Mahalakshmi is worshipped near the Navagraha area within the temple compound.

 

Ramanath-Badrinath-Dwarkanath: On the western outer compound, near the Navagraha, the idols of Kashi Nath or Ramnath, Badrinath, and Dwarkanath are located and worshipped together.

 

Yogeshwar: Near the Bimala temple is the Yogeshwar deity, where Lord Shiva and Krishna’s family are worshiped.

 

Among the northern Jagannath Temple shrines, the Radha Krishna Temple is situated near the northern gate, where Radha and Krishna are adored.

 

Ramachandra Temple: Located on the left of the Baisi Pahacha, or at the entrance of the southern gate, this is where Ram, Lakshmana, and Sita are revered, with Hanuman at their feet.

 

Radhakanta Temple: Near the seven steps of the Garaad Ghar, this is where Radhaballabh or Radhakanta is present.

 

Sheetala Uttarayani: Located near the Somanath Temple on the northern outer compound, Sheetala Thakurani is venerated.

 

Among the northern Jagannath Temple shrines, Surya Deva is worshipped in the inner temple courtyard, where the sun god is depicted on a seven-horsed chariot.

 

Sakshi Gopala: Located on the western side of the main temple or near the western gate, this enshrines the deities Radha and Krishna.

 

Sarva Mangala/Bata Mangala: Located near the Kalpa Bata tree after passing Bata Ganesh, Mangala is worshipped here as a Tantric deity.

 

Simachala Nrusingha: Located at the left of the Simha Dwara Ghumuta, this is where Nrusingha is revered for tranquility.

 

 

Bringing the Sacred Home

 

If you are inspired by the Jagannath Temple shrines and the wider spiritual and architectural heritage of Shri Jagannath Temple, explore the JustKalinga shop. With worldwide shipping, you can bring a piece of this sacred culture into your own home.

 

Jai jagannath 😊🙏