14 Magnificent Temples in Puri for a Divine Pilgrimage

Puri is a significant Hindu pilgrimage site that was founded in the 12th century AD and is home to many cultural monuments. It is with good reason why Puri sightseeing is recommended by many. Take a peek at these Puri temples and embark on a historical tour. As a well-known and ancient shrine, Jagannath Temple is synonymous with Puri. And because of the size of its treasure, the temple is one of the wealthiest in the world. Because of the temple's prominence in Hindu tradition, the majority of the income comes from worshippers who contribute to the temple.

There are many places to visit in Puri but it is a religious sanctuary in Odisha which is why we have compiled a list of 14 magnificent temples in Puri for a divine pilgrimage.

1. Jagannath Temple

Puri is well-known for its world-famous Jagannath Temple and the world's longest golden beach. In essence, it is one of India's Dhama. The main temple of Jagannath is an impressive and spectacular edifice built in Kalinga style and standing 65 metres tall on an elevated platform. There are several Sri Jagannath celebrations held in Puri throughout the year. The world-famous Rath Yatra (Car Festival) and Bahuda Yatra are the two most prominent festivals. A massive audience assembles here to see Lord Jagannath perform during this celebration in the Jagannath temple in Puri, Odisha.

Timings - 7:00 am to 9:00 pm (Closed on Sundays)

2. Lokhanath Temple

Lokhanath Temple in Puri is a 11th-century temple that’s also one of Puri's five renowned temples devoted to Lord Shiva. Lord Rama, according to tradition, founded it. The temple is designed in the traditional style of Deula architecture. The main temple is built of marble and the rest is made of sandstone. Before the Shivratri Festival, all of the water is evacuated, revealing the lingam for the darshan (seeing) of countless worshippers. As a result, the lingam is only seen once a year. Flowers, milk, yoghurt, sandal paste, honey, coconut water, beetle and bilva leaves, and other gifts offered to the lingam during the year decompose in the water, generating a unique odour and flavour. This combination is used as prasad and is said to have therapeutic qualities. An idol of Lokanatha within the Jagannath Swamy Temple in Puri represents his function as the treasure's guardian god. Lokanatha is present at Jagannath festivities like Shivratri, Sital Sasthi, and Candan Yatra.

Timings - 5:00 am to 9:00 pm

3. Gundicha Temple

Gundicha temple, one of the famous temples in Puri temple.  It is located where Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra visit each year to reside within their separate chariots during the Car Festival or Rathyatra. It is located on the other side of Puri's great avenue, known as Badadanda. The distance between the entrances of Jagannatha temple and Gundicha temple is precisely 688.0696 m. It is made up of four parts that are linked to the rooms by a narrow corridor.

Timings - 6:00 am to 3:00 pm and 4:00 am to 10:00 pm

4. Markandeshwar temple

This is the location where the sage Markandeya meditated. The Markandeshwar Temple is one of Puri's five most prominent Shiva temples and one of the 52 holy locations for Shiva worship. Its principal deity is a Shiva lingam. The Markandeya Sarovar, located close to the temple, is a water tank that is considered one of Puri's Panch Tirthas. To offer a bathing area, the compound features a flight of stairs, or ghat, leading to the tank. The stairs are inscribed with ancient inscriptions, likely from the Ganga Dynasty. Many traditions of the Jagannath Temple celebrations are celebrated with zeal in Markandeshwar.

Timings - 4:00 am to 9:00 pm

5. Ganesh Temple

The Ganesh Temple Puri is a modest Lord Ganesh shrine found within the Jagannath Temple. This temple is visited by devotees from all over the world, including locals and Puri visitors. Lord Ganesh, also known as Natya Ganesh (Dancing Ganesh), is worshipped here.

Timings - 7:00 am to 7:00 pm

6. Sakshi Gopal Temple

The Sakshigopal temple has a few tales about how it got to be a respected shrine for Lord Vishnu. One is about the lord appearing to attend a hamlet wedding. According to legend, Lord Krishna personally came down from Vrindavan to resolve a disagreement between two Brahmins. Another legend has it that following his victory against Kanchi, King Pratapruda Deva purchased the Lord Krishna idol. As a result, this temple was erected to honour the Lord. The deity at this temple is Lord Krishna, who is holding a flute and has Radha to his left.

Timings - 6:00 am to 9:00 pm

7. Laxmi Temple

Lakshmi temple is one of the locations in Puri to see in two days and study all of the architectural styles employed in its creation. Early in the morning is the ideal time to visit the temple because there is less crowd. It was erected by the Hoysala Empire's monarch and dedicated to Laxmi Narayana by Mahatma Gandhi. The temple was constructed within a seven-foot-high stone wall enclosure, with an entry through a porch and a roof supported by round lathe-turned pillars. It is one of the most visited temples because of the stunning architecture which is why you should definitely add it to your Puri tour package.

Timings - 6:00 am to 10:00 pm

8. Varahi Temple

Varahi is the female equivalent of Varaha, Vishnu's boar avatar. She is a member of the Sapta-matrikas, the heptad or seven divine-mothers. Varahi Deula is a historic shrine dedicated to Maa Varahi in Chaurasi. The temple is located on the right bank of the Prachi River near the hamlet of Chaurashi. It is around 2 km from Amaresvara temple on the Nimapada-Kakatpur route in the Puri district. The Chaurasi Varahi temple is distinct from all other Maa Vahari temples in India. The image dedicated in this temple is regarded as one of the finest among deity images found across India.

Timings - 7:00 am to 10:00 am and 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

9. Ramachandi Temple

The most prominent attraction is the Ramchandi Temple, which is located close the Ramchandi Beach. It is located on the beach's shoreline, next to the Kusabhadra river. According to mythology, this temple was erected by a priest who had a dream in which Goddess Ramchandi requested that she build this temple on those beaches. This temple is also one of Puri's most well-known Shakti Peeths, and it is close to the Ramchandi-Beach Kanakeshwar Temple. This temple is also about 8 km far from the world-famous Sun Temple.

Timings - 6:00 am to 10:00 pm

10. Mausima Temple

Temple of Mausi Maa Puri is located in the middle of Grand Road in Puri and is dedicated to Mausi Maa. Mausi literally means "Aunt" (mother's sister), while Maa means "Mother." It may be said that this is Lord Jagannath's aunt mother's temple.  According to legend, she drank half of the seawater in order to rescue Puri from drowning in floods. As a result, she was given the name Ardhasini. Ardhasini, together with Kapalmochna Shiva, is said to be the day and night protectors of Shree Temple and Puri Town.

Timings - 6:00 am to 9:00 pm

11. Alarnath Mandir

Lord Vishnu is adored as Alarnath with four hands holding shankha, chakra, gada, and padma  (conch shell, disk, club, and lotus) in the Lord Alarnath temple at Brahmagiri, about 25 kilometres from Puri. Devotees visit this shrine during the Anasar period following Snana Yatra. Due to a fever from the bathing celebration Snana Purnima, Lord Jagannath of Puri remains indoors during this time. Because devotees cannot see Lord Jagannath at this time, they go to Alarnath temple to seek his favour.

Timings - 6:00 am to 9:30 pm

12. Panchatirtha Temple

Puri has a number of holy sites in addition to the temple of Lord Jagannath. There are five sacred bathing sites in Puri. They are referred to as the Pancha Tirtha. They are the Indradyumna Tank, the Markandeya Tank, the Swetaganga, the Sea, and the Rohini Kunda. It is considered that a visit to Puri is completed until the Pancha Tirtha ritual is done. The ritual of washing in the five sacred Tanks is referred to as Pancha Tirtha. Pilgrims are saved by seeing Lord Jagannath and soaking in the Pancha Tirthas.

13. Vimala Temple

The Goddess Vimala temple is situated in the south part of the inner ring of the Jagannath temple and on the western corner of the Jagannath tower, adjacent to the sacred pond Rohini kunda. The temple, which faces east, is built of sandstone and laterite in the traditional Deua style.

Timings - 5:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 11:30 pm

14. Astachandi Temple

The Astachandi Temple, located at the gateway of Puri Town in Kumbharpada, is revered by the people. The temple is located on the right side of Atharnala Bridge Puri, halfway between Bhubaneshwar and Puri. This temple is devoted to the chants of the Astachandi, a group of eight Chandis.

 

In the times bygone, Puri was known as Purusottama Dham, Purusottama Kshetra, or Purusottama Puri, depending on the governing dynasty. The city is well-known across the world as a prominent Hindu pilgrimage location and for its sand art and applique art. You are sure to find reverence in every corner here.