Puri is one of the four
"dhamas" on holy places of India, the other three being Badrinath. Dwarika and
Rameswaram. Located at a distance of 60 km. from Bhubaneswar the temple of Puri is
called the temple of Sri Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe with whom Lord Balaram and
Subhadra are also worshipped. Built over years [1135 A. D.- 1198 A.D.] the temple stands
in the heart of the Puri town with Bay of Bengal with its expansive and pleasant sea beach
to the south east at a distance of nearly one km. from the temple. The height of the
temple is 65 meters with a fort like compound which epitomizes the Kalinga architecture.
The holy kitchen of the temple prepares Mahaprasad (holy food for the deities) for at
least 10,000 people everyday. The Ratha Yatra (car festival) is the spectacular festival
held in the month of July when the three deities Balaram. Subhadra and Jagannath
majestically wheen down the broad path- in huge and beautifully caprisioned multiwheeled
chariots to another temple 3 kms. away and after nine days the return journey is made. The
beaches of Puri are yet absorbing to note. Lace on vast stretches of silver ..... soak in
the sun ........... relax under warm clear blue tropical skies. Here you can surf-ride or
swim or just watch the fishermen draw their nets in. |
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