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The Jagannath Temple of Puri is dedicated to lord Vishnu. Jagath means universe and nath means the 'lord' in Sanskrit. The wooden images of lord Jagannath, Balabhadra (Balaram) Subhadra (Sister) are enshrined in the temple. The name "Jagannath" is a collective representation of the Triads (Jagannath - Balabhadra - Subhadra). He is also known by the other name "Purusuttama". Having a majestic structure of around 65 meters in the Kalingan style of architecture, this temple stands in an elevated platform in the city. It is a curvilinear temple with the "Srichakra" (a eight spoked wheel) as the crown
The Temple of Lord Jagannath at Puri was constructed by Raja Ananta Varman Chodaganga Dev in 12th century A.D of the Ganga dynasty. The Deities, Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshan are made of margosa wood. The Narasimha temple is another temple close to the Jagannath temple which has also attracted visitors for its art and architecture. Within the sanctum of the main temple there are smaller temples of Vimala, Lakshmi, Vishnu and innumerable Gods and Goddesses
History of the temple
Legendary facts from different puranas state that Lord Jagannath was originally worshipped as Neela madhab secretly by a local sabara chief Viswavasu in the dense forests. Earlier the deity was in the form of "Lord Krishna's image" made of granite stone. Having heard about the Deity, King Indradyumna sent a brahmin priest to know more about this from the chief. The priest tried his best but could not get any clue of the deity. Meanwhile the priest fell in love with the Chief's daughter and married her. After much persistence the priest came to know of the secret deity and informed the king. The king Indradyumna proceeded immediately to Orissa to have a darshan of the deity but was sad as he found the secret deity was hidden in the sand. He performed severe penances to have a darshan and once dreamt of Vishnu instructing him to go to the Puri seashore, and look for a floating log, and fashion an image from its trunk. Hence Images of Krishna, Balarama, Subhadra were curved in that wooden log
Rath Yatra
The world famous Rath yatra or Car festival takes place in the month of June and July. Lakhs of people including foreigners participate in the car festival. This is an important pilgrimage center for Vaishnavas This spectacular festival includes a procession of three huge chariots bearing the images of Jagannath, Balarama and Subhadra through the streets of Puri. The procession starts with the journey of lord Krishna to Mathura, leaving behind grieving his Gopikas & Gopis (friends) from Jagdish temple in Jamalpur. The main chariots are dedicated to lord Krishna, his brother Balaram and sister Subadhra, followed by colourfully decorated elephants and his devotees. The significance of this procession is that the three deities make a visit to the garden house Gundecha Ghar, for five days, also visiting his aunt on the way. At the end of the five days, the three deities are brought back to the Jagannath temple in a procession called the Ultarath.
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