When we think of Puri, our minds fill with images of the magnificent Srimandir and the roaring waves of the Mahodadhi, the great ocean. But the spiritual landscape of this holy city is also blessed with ancient, sacred water bodies known as Puskaranis. These are not just ponds; they are reservoirs of history, myth, and divine energy, each with a unique story.
Let’s take a tour of the six sacred ponds that make Puri a true Tirtha Kshetra.
The grandest of all, Narendra Puskarini is the magnificent stage for Lord Jagannath’s famous 21-day Chandan Yatra. Every year, the representative deities of the Lord enjoy celestial boat rides and water sports in the cool, sandalwood-scented water of this large tank. Its excavation in the 16th century was a great act of devotion by the King of Ranapur.
One of the five holy tirthas (Pancha Tirtha) of Puri, this ancient pond is named after Maharshi Markandeya. It is believed that during a great cosmic deluge, the sage was saved here and had a divine vision of Lord Narayana resting on a banyan leaf. This pond is deeply integrated with the daily rituals of the Srimandir.
Located near the Gundicha Temple, this sacred pond is tied to the origin story of the Srimandir itself. Legend says that it was formed from the hoof-prints of the thousands of cows that the great King Indradyumna donated during his monumental yajna to consecrate the temple.
(Image Recommendation: A photo of the Shwetaganga pond, showing devotees performing ancestral rites on the steps.)
This holy pond is believed to have a subterranean connection to the sacred river Ganga, and its water sometimes appears milky white, giving it the name Shwetaganga (White Ganga). It is the primary place in Puri where devotees come to perform ancestral rites like Pitru Shraddha and Tarpana, praying for the peace of their forefathers.
Located within the premises of the famous Sri Lokanath temple, this pond is considered immensely sacred by the devotees of Lord Shiva. Like Shwetaganga, its banks are always filled with pilgrims performing sacred rituals and offering prayers for their ancestors before seeking the blessings of Lord Lokanath.
These sacred ponds remind us of our deep connection to our ancestors and the importance of rituals. For devotees performing tarpana or other water-based pujas, either in Puri or at home, using a traditional brass or copper puja lota helps maintain the sanctity and purity of the offering.
Near the sea, this smaller pond holds great spiritual significance. It was the favorite bathing spot of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his followers. Its proximity to a temple of Chakra Narayan makes it a revered spot for Vaishnavas.
These six sacred ponds, each with a unique history and divine purpose, make Puri a land truly blessed by water. They invite every pilgrim to take a dip not just in water, but in divinity itself.
Jai Jagannath!
The divine Tulasi Kanthi Mali 
Niladrinath Gift Hamper 
Dakhinabarti sankha (Small Size) 
