Gundicha Temple in Puri Orissa

Here is Some Information about Gundicha Temple in Puri Orissa India.

Location: Northeastern side of the Jagannath temple in Puri Orissa.
Built in:16th century
Dedicated to:Lord jagganath,Subhadra,Balabhadra
Entry: Free
Photography:Allow
Temple Timing: 6:00 Am to 9:00Pm
Significance: Believed to be the dwelling place of Lord Krishna's aunt
Visiting Timing:1 hour
Best time to Visit: During Rathyatra
Nearest Railway Station: Puri
Nearest Air Port: Bhubaneswar

The Gundicha Temple is Located at Northeastern side of the Jagannath temple in Puri Orissa.The temple was built in 16th century.The temple is dedicated Lord Jagannath,Subhadra ane Balabhadra.Gundicha temple is one of the most renowned temples in Puri. Being another sacred place of Puri, this temple is the key segment of the well known Rath Yatra festival of Puri. Gundicha Temple is famous as the Garden House of the Hindu God Jagannath. The temple remains vacant most of the year, only during the annual Rath Yatra festival in the Hindu month of Ashadh, the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra goes to the Gundicha temple and stays there for nine days every year .

During Ratha Yatra, Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva and Subhadra Devi, along with Sudarsana, leave Jagannath Mandira for nine days: one day for traveling to Gundicha, seven days spent there, and one day to return home. This Journey is known as to Gundicha Yatra, Nava Dina Yatra (“nine days Journey”), or Ghosa Yatra. It is most auspicious to have darshana of Lord during this time. Every year the Rathayatra culminates at this temple which is surrounded by lush gardens and tall cooling coconut trees. Fragrant flowers and shady trees create a Vrindavan atmosphere which Lord Jaganantha enjoys for 7 days before returning to Sri Mandira.

The cleansing of the Gundicha Temple - Gundicha-marjana - takes place the day before the Rathayatra festival as mentioned in Chaitanya-Charitamrita. Darshan of Jagannatha during His stay at Gundicha temple is known as Adapa Darshana. It is said in scripture that darshan of the Lord Jagannatha at Gundicha temple is equal to ten darshan at Nilachala Temple (main temple).
The Place where Gundicha temple is situated is known as Sundarachala. Sundarahcala is compared to Vrindavana, and Nilachala, where Jagannatha recides, is compared to Dvaraka. During Ratha Yatra, Lord Jagannatha comes to Vrindavana, as the devotees are in the mood of residents of Vrindavana, begging the Lord to return with them.

History of Gundicha Temple

The Gundicha Temple in Puri, India is really an astonishing place to visit and offer your prayers. Steeped in history, the place gives a true picture of a religious atmosphere and an insight into India's rich cultural heritage. The Gundicha Temple in Puri is also named as the Janak Puri. It is said that in Puranic times, King Indradyaumna performed some of the sacrifices and religious rituals. In answer to his prayers lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshana descended to the earth and appeared before him at the altar. Every year, when the Car festival begins in Puri, these Gods spend 9 days in the temple before they proceed to their own temple Bada Deula while performing the famlous Bahuda Yatra.

How To Reach Gundicha Temple in Puri

By Road : Mini buses run by the state transport department connect Puri with Bhubaneswar while jeeps are available to and from Konark. There are two bus terminuses within the city at Baramunda and opposite Ashok hotel while private buses are also available at the junction of Grand Road and Hospital Road.

By Rail : Puri has its own railway station which connects it to cities such as Kolkata, New Delhi, Ahmedabad and Vishakhapatnam while Bhubaneswar (a 1.5 hour drive from Puri) is also connected to most of the major Indian cities. Rajdhani Express connects Delhi with Bhubaneswar in a 25 hour journey. For more information on train timings and schedule, refer to the official website of Indian railways.

By Air : The nearest airport is located at Bhubaneswar. Indian Airlines has direct flights to Bhubaneswar from Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai and Vishakhapatnam. From Bhubaneswar, you can board a state transport bus or hire a taxi to reach Puri.

Picture Gellery of Gundicha Temple