Atharanala

“Athara” means eighteen; this is a bridge of eighteen arches at the entrance to Jagannatha Puri. It has been said that Maharaja Indradyumna built this bridge. When he first commenced construction, he was unsuccessful again and again. Finally by the order of the Lord he offered the heads of his eighteen sons into the water of the river; only then he was successful in building the bridge.


Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu first came to Puri via Atharanala Bridge, and there is a small temple marking the place where Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu rested before he crossed (C.C. Antya 2.419-424).


Caitanya Bhagvata also describes how Mahaprabhu first came to Puri via Atharanala bridge, and there is small temple marking the place where Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu rested before He crossed. We also find the Lotus foot print of Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu.