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Puri, one of the four dhams or holy places
in India is famous for its temples.
The famous Temples in Puri are:
Jaganath Temple
Jaganath
Temple id dedicated to Lord Jaganath or the Lord of the Universe
who is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The
original temple, built in Orissan style of temple architecture
with a Deul or Sanctum and Jagmohan or the Audience Hall,
was completed in 12th century AD. The Nata Mandir or Dance
Hall and Bhog Mandir or Hall of Offering were added in the
14th or 15th century AD. The Sanctum is enshrined with the
wooden idols of Jaganath, Balabhadra and Subhdra beautifully
ornamented with fineries, ornaments and garlands by the priests.
Only the eyes of the deities are visible because they are
believed to be unfinished work of the Vishwakarma, the architect
of the gods. According to mythology, it is believed that the
king had commissioned Vishwakarma to build the idols of the
Gods. Vishwakarma started the work on the condition that the
king would not interfere or disturb him till the time the
work is completed. He worked according to his will with long
breaks in between which irritated the king. When he could
no longer restrain himself, the king questioned Vishwakarma
about his work. This angered Vishwakarma and he left the work
unfinished. The temple complex is a self-sufficient unit with
6000 priests and more than 10,000 others whose livelihood
comes from the temple activities. There are four sacred tanks
within the temple complex of which the Narendra Tank is the
most famous. Only the Hindus are allowed inside the temple.
Gunchinda Temple
Gunchinda Mandir or the Garden House is right across the bus
station. It is the lace where the idols of Lord Jaganath,
Balabhadra and Subhdra reside for a period of seven days during
the Rath Yatra. The temple is in the middle of the garden
enclosed by the walls. Here you can see the wrought-iron frameworks
supporting the laterite lintels of the temple.
Rath Yatra
Puri
is as much famous for the Rath Yatra or the Chariot Festival
as the Jaganath Temple. The Rath Yatra is celebrated to commemorate
the event of Krishna's journey from Gokul to Mathura. The
13 m tall chariot f Lord Jaganath is built just like the sanctum
of the temple. The boarding of the chariot by the deities
is announced by the gongs. The king arrives in a beautifully
attired elephant and fulfills his duties as the 'Sweeper of
the Gods' with golden broom and sprinkling holy water. The
procession is lead by Balabhadra's chariot followed by Subhadra's
chariot and Jaganath's chariot. Almost 4000 people are required
to draw each chariot. During the entire week of the Rath Yatra,
the deities are daily dressed in new attires and served with
podapitha or the rice cakes.
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