A Tapestry of Spirituality: 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). It’s a vast, sacred complex, encompassing numerous smaller temples and shrines, each with its own unique history and significance. Enclosed by the Meghanada Pacherey and the Kurma Beda, this divine realm houses approximately 100 temples, each contributing to the spiritual richness of the site. Let’s embark on a journey to explore some of these sacred structures.

 

The Structure of the Shri Jagannath Temple

 

The Shri Jagannath Temple is divided into four main parts:

 

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 Temples within the Complex:

 

Agneshwara Temple: Located near the Baisi Pahacha (22 steps), this temple houses a Shiva Linga and a Nandi bull outside. It’s believed that food brought near this temple is blessed and prepared properly. Agneshwara is also considered the 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.

 

Navagraha Temple: Situated in the western part of the temple complex or beside the Mahalakshmi temple, this 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.

 

Bata Ganesha: Located at the base of the Kalpabata tree, Ganesha has been worshipped here since the founding of the temple. It is considered the Adidev (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.

 

Bimala Devi Temple: To the right of the Ramadeva River or near Kamala Temple, here 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.

 

Maa Mahalakshmi: Located in the western compound or near the Navagraha, here Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped.

 

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.

 

Radha Krishna Temple: Situated on the northern side or the northern gate, here Radha Krishna is 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.

 

Surya Deva: In the northern section of the inner temple courtyard, the sun god sits 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.

 

(Image: A close-up shot of one of the lesser-known temples within the complex could add a unique touch.)

 

Bringing the Sacred Home

 

If you are inspired by the rich spiritual and architectural heritage of the Shri Jagannath Temple, explore the handcrafted items at justkalinga.com. With worldwide shipping, you can bring a piece of this sacred site into your own home.

 

Jai jagannath 😊🙏