The Ganga dynasty ruled Orissa from 1078 to 1434 A.D. and established Vaishnava Culture in Puri. Many saints and seers paid their visit to Puri. In course of time Saint Ramanuja (1056-1136 A.D.) the advocate of Visistadaita philosophy, saints like Nibark, Vishu Swami and Madhavacharya paid their visit to Puri and established their monasteries. The great poet Jayadeva Gosvami of Orissa in 12thy century, composed the famous work Gita Govindam, dedicated to Lord Jagannath as Krishna Madhava.
The main temple structure is 65 meters (214ft.) high and is build on high ground, which makes it look even larger than what it is. The temple complex is having 10.7 acres and surrounded by 2 Rectangular walls.
The outer surrounding is called Meghananda Prachira(665 × 640 feet). The walls are 6 meters (20 feet) high. The Inner wall is called Kurmabedha (420×315 feet). The walls are said to be built during the15th or 16th century.
Jagannatha Temple has the largest kitchen in the world and feeds thousands of Devotees every day. Prasadam for 100,000 people is prepared daily and the kitchen can prepare Prasadam for up to 250,000 people on a festival day.
There are 36
traditional communities who render a specific hereditary service to
the deities. The temple has many as 6,000 priests (Pandas).
Nila Cakra:
Nila Cakra
There is a wheel
on top of the Jagannatha temple
consist of an alloy of eight different metals (Asta Dhatus). Known
as Nila
Cakra (blue wheel), it is 11ft 8in high and has a
circumference of about 36ft. On Ekadasi day a lamp
is lit near the wheel. Daily a flag is tied on a mast attached to
Nila
Cakra. The Main temple is surrounded by 30 different
temples. The Narsimha temple
adjacent to the western side of the Mukti Mandapa is
said to have been constructed before the Present temple.
Aruna Stambha:
Aruna Stambha
In front of main temple there is pillar of height 11m called Aruna Stambha, It was brought to Puri during the 18th century from Sun Temple in Konark. Aruna is the charioteer of the the sun god present on top of the pillar.
Patita Pavana Jagannatha:
Patita Pavana Jagannatha
In the passage room of main gate there is deity of Lord Jagannatha called Patita Pavana(savior of the most fallen). It can visible from the road, so the“Non Hindus”can take darshana from outside.
There are four gates to the Jagannatha temple as follows:
1. Theeastern Simha Dvara (lionGate), these is the main entrance to the Jagannatha temple on the Grand Road.
2. The Southern Asva Dvara (horse gate).
3. The Western Vyaghra Dvara (tiger gate).
4. The Northern Hasti Dvara (elephant gate).
Garuda Stambha:
Garuda Stambha
\Inside the Lion Gate , in front of the alter of Lord Jagannatha, is a column called the Garuda Stambha. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu usually saw Lord Jagannatha from a distance from behind this column. Behind this there is ditch, which was filled with tears of Lord Gauranga and his handprint is melted into the Garuda Stambha.
“Non-Hindus”are strictly prohibited inside the temple But “if one is not allowed to enter the temple, or if he thinks himself unfit to enter the temple, he can look at the wheel from outside the temple, and that is as good as seeing the Deity within”(Caitanya-Caritamrita Madhya Lila11.195,Purport).
The Deities in the Temple
Lord Jagannatha, the symbol of universal love and brotherhood is worshiped in the Temple along with brother Balabhadra, sister Subhadra, Sudarshan, Madhava, Sridevi and Bhudevi on the Ratnabedi or the bejewelled platform.
Places with in the temple Compound:
Baisi Pahacha
Baisi Pahacha: Inside the temple complex there is are two outer rings of small temples and main temple is atthe center. At the outer ring at the main entrance there are steps known as Baisi Pahacha or twenty two steps. Some says this name has come from the term outside steps (Bahya Pavacha).Great respect is given to these steps because many devotees pass here and the dust of their feet sanctify the steps.
Kalpavata: The Kalpavata or the thousand year old banyan tree. It is towards the south side of the temple and if you take a fruit from this and offer it at the foot of the tree, your wish will be fulfilled. For each wish you make you will have to renounce one favourite fruit for the duration of a year! Only then will your wish come true.
Mukti Mandapa: It is a pillared open hall with 16 pillars; an important seat of learning. The Mukti Mandap the congregation hall of the holy seat of selected learned brahmins. Here important decisions regarding conduct of daily worship and festivals are taken.
Niladri Vihara: If we approach from the western gate we come to the Niladri Vihar which is an art gallery, showing the pastimes of Lord Jagannatha as well as the 12 incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
Sona Kua: Sona Kua or the Golden Well is near the northern gate (Elephant gate). The water of this well is used to bathe Lord Jagannatha during "Snana-Yatra".
Koila Vaikuntha: In the western portion of the temple between the outer and inner walls. It is approachable from the northern gate (Elephant Gate). During 'Nava-Kalevara' (new incarnation ceremony), when Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra are newly carved, the old images are buried here.
Ananda
Bazaar
Ananda Bazaar: After you come up the 22steps (BaisiPahacha) by the Lion (main) Gate, on the right is Ananda Bazaar, where 'Maha-Prasada' is purchased.
Main Temple: In the main temple are Their Lordships Balabhadra,Subhadra and Jagannatha who are white, yellow and black respectively. They are seated on the Ratna Singhasan. Between 8:30 am and 9:30 am devotee can circumambulate the Deities.
Nata Mandira: This is a spacious hall, 21m (65 ft) in length and 20m (61 ft) wide. This is where the Garuda Stambha is located, where Sri Chaitanya used to stand. It is believed that the potency of a devotee’s prayers to the Lord is increased when he stands near this sacred pillar.
Mukhasala: Next to the main temple in a straight line is the hall of audience. There are four doors. The Kalaghata Dwara door leads to the sanctum sanctorum. The southern door leads out of the temple and the northern door to the Ratna Bhandar (Treasury house).
Bhoga Mandapa: Next to Nata Mandir is this spacious hall, 18m (60 ft) in length and 17m (56 ft) wide. There are sculptures and paintings about Lord Krishna's pastimes and other stories in this hall. This is where food offerings are made to theLord.
