|
|
|
 |
Holy City Puri :
|
Gundicha Temple:
|
The most important sanctuary of Jagannath is the Gundicha temple, the abode to which
Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are driven each of his or her wooden cars once in a
year, during the Car Festival. Except for these few days it is unoccupied, but there is a
small establishment of servants by whom it is regularly maintained. It is situated at the
other end of the great highway (Badadanda). The distance between the gates of Jagannath
temple and the Gundicha temple, is exactly 2,688.0696 meters (8327 feet). The temple is
surrounded by a wall and stands in the
middle of garden. It consists of four pars connected with kitchen rooms by a narrow
passage. The tower, a construction of Pidha type, is 75 feet high with a base of 55 feet
by 46 feet outside, and 36 feet 8inches by 27 feet inside. All the four structures
(Vimana, Jagamohan, Natamandap, and Bhogamandap) bear the traces of several plastering and
are carved in places with obscene figures in mortar. There is a plain raised seat, 4 feet
high and 19 feet long, made of chlorite, and this is called the Ratnavedi- the throne on
which the images are placed when brought to the temple.
Astasambhu Temple:
The eight guardians Siva's of this abode of Jagannath (Vishnu) are Markandeswar,
Yajneswara, Nilakantheswara, Vilveswara, Kapalamochana, Baleswara, Isaneswara and
Pataleswara.
Astachandi Temple:
The eight Chandis, collectively called Astachandi, are Bata Mangala, Bimala, Sarvamangal,
Ardhasani, Alamba, Dakshinakalika, Marichika and Harachandi.
Panchatirtha Temple:
The sacred tanks are Indradyumna near the Gundicha temple, Manikarnika in the Marnikarnika
street, Markanda towards the north of the Jagannath temple and Swetaganga towards the
south of the Jagannath temple. These four tirthas or sacred waters together with the sea
make the Panchtirtha or five sacred waters in which pilgrims are solemnly enjoined to take
bath. Some of these places and few other places, such as: Lokanath temple, Atharnala
Bridge, etc., deserve special mention.
Loknath Temple:
This is the fomous Siva temple of Puri Located about One Kilometer away from the Jagannath
Temple towards the western end. There is a popular belief that Lord Ram had installed this
lingam with a Lauka or Pumpkin. The Temple was build during 10th-11th century A.D. The
devotees come here to see Lord Loknath in order to be cured from any kind of disease.
There are certain festivals observed in this temple out of which' Saranti-Somobar-mela' is
the important one. There is a streem on the head Sivalinga playing the roal of the Ganges
and linga, It self remains under the water. The flowers, sandal paste, 'Bilva-patra', etc.
offered to the God remain decomposed in the water emittining a special smell and teast
being medicated as a whole. people take it as Prasad, in order to be cured from the disese
that they suffered for. The festival of Siva Ratri is observed in the temple of Lokanath
with great devotion. A meetinf of Siva and Vishnu takes place on the day.
Chakratirtha Temple:
The Chakratirtha, a small and unprotected pool, is in the South-eastof Jagannath Temple on
the Sea-Beach of popularly known as C.T. Road headind towards Pentha Kata- The fishersman
village. It is evidently a part of the old mouth of the Balagandi stream that flowed
across the Badadanda to the sea. The place is known as Bankimuhana. Near-by is the temple
of Chaitanya called Sunar-Gouranga, a place largely visited by the pilgrims.
Chakranarayan Temple:
Towards the northern side of the temple of Sunar-Gouranga is the temple of Chakranarayana.
The image of Lakshmi-Narasimha is worshipped here.
Daria Mahabir Temple:
At the distance of about thirty meters to the west of the Chakranarayan temple, Daria
Mahabir is a small temple dedicated to Hanuman. He is also known as Bedi Hanuman.
Ardhasani Temple:
On the way to Gundicha temple, Ardhasani is a small temple dedicated to the goddess of
that name. She is also known as Mausi Maa (mother’s sister) of Lord Jagannath.
Siddha Mahavir Temple:
At a distance of about half a mile (804.672 meters), to the west of Gundicha temple, there
is a small temple dedicated to Siddha Hanuman. It is believed that Tulasidas resided at
this place during his stay at Puri. It is a beautiful spot for picnic.
Jameswara Temple:
This is again a temple of 11-11th Century A.D. located on the extreme end of Harichandi
Street. It howed Jameswara Siva, who protects this holy land from the influence of Yama,
on the other hand it is know on as Yamanaka Tirtha. Again this temple is one of the
historical evidences, if analysed, can get lot of evidence of the culture of Puri.
Besides, there are many religious shriness and sanctuaries found in each and every street
of Puri. There are Ashrams of saints like Pandu, Angira, Bhrigu and Nigamananda and others
also found in the different areas. Tourists if interested, can take the name of the
streets and follow the guide map enclosed
Alabukeswara Temple:
Alabukeswara is a Saiva shrine situated to the west of the Yameswara. It is spoken of in
high terms by the Kapila Samhita for making barren women fruitful.
Kapalamochana Temple / Manikarnika:
Kapalamochana is a small Saiva temple in the immediate neighborhood of the Alabukeswara in
the Manikarnika Sahi. The sacred pool of Manikarnika is also located here. Besides all
these temples and sacred places as, Sama Kali, Dakhina kali, Barahi in Bali Sahi;
Ramachandi in Kundheibenta Sahi and Putia Rani temple near Bus stand on the Badadanda.
Daksinakalika Temple
The temple is situated towards south-eastern side of the Lord Jagannath temple on
Balisahi. Puranic tradition say that in Sriksetra or Puri, Sri Jagannath is regarded as
Daksinakalika. The deity is enshring in a modern temple at an higher rasied platform. The
temple is facing to east an consist of a vimana and a Jagamohana. The deity is four armed
and seated on a corrpse. She is shown as drinking blood, with a dagger and holding severed
head in two of her hands. It is believed that Daksinakalika is the guardian of the kitchen
of the Lord Jagannath Temple.
Syamakali Temple:
These shrines are there in the old palace of Gajapati Kings of Puri. Now the historical
Royal Palace is situated in the grand trunk road (Bada danda) of Puri. This is a new
Place. The old Palace was there in Bali Sahi. From the Southen door of Lord Jagannath
temple one can go to this place.
Dasavatara Temple:
There is a ruinous temple of the 'Dasavatara' of Vishnu near Gundicha temple. This is the
place where the Kabi Jayadeve, the author of Gitagovindam stayed . Being inspired with the
ten incarnations of Vishnu, he wrote Dasaavatara Strotra in his famous work Gitagovindam.
The Temple of Seven Mother Goddesses:
This temple is situated on the embankment of a big sacred pond, Markandeya Soravara. This
reminds us of the similar temple build at Dasasvamedha Ghat of Yajpur built in the 10th
century by the Somavamsi Kings. Brahmi, Maheswari, Andri, Kaumari, Vaisnavi, Varahi and
Camanda are known as the seven mother Goddesses. Sometime Narasimha replace Vaisnavi, a
female from the man-Lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu. However, the Shrine of the seven
mother goddess at the pond Markanda proves very well that once upon a time Puri was a
bonafide Sakta Pitha and Goddess Vimala was the presiding deity of this pitha.
Mausima Temple:
The three chariots of Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra start from the Singha Dwara of
the Temple of Jagannath and reach at 'Gundicha Temple', at the other end of the Bada
danda. In betweet 'Gundicha Temple' and 'Singha Dwara' there comes the Shrin of the
Goddess, Ardhamsini or Ardhasini. Popularly known as Mousima (aunt) of Jagannath where the
Lord take a bhoga of 'Podapitha", a special cake. It is stared in Skanda Purana,
Vaisanava Knadha that during the deluge, when the sea overflooded Puri, this goddess drank
half of the flood water and saved the town. There for her name become Arthasini.
|
|
|
|
|
|