Puri Jagannath Temple
In Odisha
The temple is believed to have been constructed in the 12th century by King Anatavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
Jagannath Puri temple is called ‘Yamanika Tirtha’ where, according to the Hindu beliefs, the power of ‘Yama’, the god of death has been nullified in Puri due to the presence of Lord Jagannath.
This temple was called the “White Pagoda”.
It is a part of Char Dham pilgrimages (Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri, Rameswaram).
There are four gates to the temple- Eastern ‘Singhdwara’ which is the main gate with two crouching lions.
Southern ‘Ashwadwara’, Western 'Vyaghra Dwara and Northern ‘Hastidwara’. There is a carving of each form at each gate.
In front of the entrance stands the Aruna stambha or sun pillar, which was originally at the Sun Temple in Konark.
Architecture:
The temple is built in the Kalinga style of architecture, with the Pancharatha (Five chariots) type consisting of two anurathas, two konakas and one ratha.
Jagannath temple is a pancharatha with well-developed pagas.
‘Gajasimhas’ (elephant lions) carved in recesses of the pagas, the ‘Jhampasimhas’ (Jumping lions) are also placed properly.
The perfect pancharatha temple developed into a Nagara-rekha temple.
The temple is built on an elevated platform, as compared to Lingaraja temple and other temples belonging to this type.
This is the first temple in the history of Kalingaan temple architecture where all the chambers like Jagamohana, Bhogamandapa and Natyamandapa were built along with the main temple.
There are miniature shrines on the three outer sides of the main temple.
COMMENTS