According to folklore, the Lord of the Universe was worshiped as Purushottama – the creator, protector, and destroyer of all. King Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva built the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, which was completed by his son, Anangbheema Deva III.
This unique ancient custom of the Jagannath Temple is done periodically at 36-year intervals, involving replacing the wooden idols of the worshiped deities. Nabakalebara means embodiment, hence the tradition is about continuing to revive the deities who are worshipped.
Nabakalebara has 12 steps, including traveling to a forest, finding divine trees, and cutting the wood from those trees. The wood is then brought to Puri, where it is turned into new idols. Then the old idols are buried, and the new ones are made available for worshippers to behold.
The temple observes festivals such as Snana Yatra, Sayana Yatra, Parshwa Parivartana, Deva Utthapana, Daksinayana, Pushyavisheka, Pravarana Sasthi, Dola Yatra, Makar Sankranti, Chandan Yatra, Akshaya Tritiya, and Damanaka Chaturdashi. There are 12 yatras.
The Rath Yatra festival will commence on the second day of the Asadha month. It is regarded as one of the most important celebrations at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, and thousands of devotees flock to see it every year. Three magnificent chariots are built each year to celebrate this grand event.
Every yatra starts on the first day with a grand procession to carry Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra to the Gundicha Temple. It is about ten kilometers away from the main temple, where these idols transfer power until they are brought back ten days later in a return journey called Bahuda Yatra.
Some of the other festivals celebrated at the temple are Shree Krushna Janma, Jhulan Yatra, Ganesh Chaturthi, Balabhadra Janma, Saptapuri Amavasya, Rahurekha Lagi, Badi Nrusimha Bije, Chitlagi Amavasya, Rishi Panchami, Holi, and Ramnavami.
One of the four Dhams (pilgrimages) in India, Puri is home to Shree Jagannath Temple. Dedicated to Lord Jagannath - an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, this ancient temple gets millions of devotees during the Rath Yatra festival. You won't believe the number of people celebrating during this incredible festival.
This temple features architecture from Kalinga, and it houses several small temples besides the main temple. The principal deities in this sacred shrine are Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and his sister Subhadra. Not only is the architecture outstanding, but the gates offer a clear look into the brilliant craftsmanship of the ancient era.
The Grand Road that leads to the Jagannath Temple remains crowded with devotees, who buzz around all day long. The whole atmosphere inside and outside the temple is simply amazing, despite how busy it is, and it's a place that any pilgrim should visit at least once in their life!.
This year, the Jagannath Temple in Puri has waived the entry fee for all visitors. However, there are exceptions during certain festivities.
When the temple doors are open to the public, people are allowed for the darshan of the Lord after Mangal Arati. However, if you're attending a puja (special prayers) at the Bhitar Katha (Jagamohana/Prayer Hall), they'll allow devotees in throughout that time.
This goes on until Besha is finished, which is around 7:30 or 8 AM.
Once this concludes, they don't allow darshan again until 10 minutes before 10 AM - when Gopal Ballava Puja starts up again.
At this puja, darshan is available from Baahar Katha (Nata Mandir/Dance Hall) to the end of Sakaal Dhoopa Puja up until about 11 am.
It is also available from Jagamohana until the end of Bhoga Mandapa Puja until around 1 pm.
Devotees can see the deities in the Nata Mandir and Jagamohana, who appear on the gilded throne, from 2PM to 5:30 PM. They will be visible from "madhyanaa dhup" to sunset, and again in the evening at dusk. It is best to visit between 8 PM. to 9 PM.
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