Here is Some Information about Jagannath temple in Puri Orissa.
Location: Puri, Odisha
Address: Temple Road, Puri, Odisha 752001
Built in:11th century
Built By: Anantavarman Chodaganga
Dedicated to: Lord Jagannath
Entry: Free
Photography:Not Allow
Temple Timing: 5:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Significance:One of The Jagganath Mani temple
Visiting Timing: 1 Hour
Best time to Visit: October to March
Architectural styles: Hindu temple architecture, Dravidian architecture, Kalinga architecture
Nearest Railway Station: PuriStation
Nearest Air Port: Bhubaneswar Airport(56 Km)
More Information about Jagannath Temple in Puri
Jagannath Temple is one of the most renowned as well as the biggest temples of Orissa. Established in the 12th century, the temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath (Lord Krishna), Lord of the Universe. The credit for laying the foundation of the Jagannath temple of Puri goes to Raja Ananta Varman Chodaganga Dev. The temple is located at a distance of 60 km from Bhubaneswar, on the coast of Bay of Bengal, and is greatly revered by the devotees following the Vaishnava traditions.
There is an interesting legend associated with the Jagannatha temple of Puri. It is said that King Indradyumna, the ruler of the territory, saw Lord Jagannath in his dreams and following the Lord's wishes, as told to him in his dreams, he got the Jagannath Puri Temple constructed. Situated in the heart of the holy city, the temple is visited by devotees from farthest corners of India as well as the world. It exudes splendor and its tall spires lend it a magnificent aura. The walls are embellished with exquisite carvings.
The temple complex occupies an area of over 400000 square feet, and is bounded by a 20 feet high fortified wall. This complex contains about 120 temples and shrines. The shikhara of the Jagannath temple towers to a height of 192 feet.
The pillars that provide support to the temple are adorned with pictures depicting the life of Lord Krishna. In the list of the most splendid monuments of Orissa, Jagannath temple occupies a supreme position. One of the most popular attractions of the Jagannatha Temple of Puri comprises of its Rath Yatra that is organized every year. It is basically a chariot festival, where idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, the main deities of Srimandir, are taken to the Gundicha temple in bejeweled chariots and are brought back to the mandir in the same way.
History of Jagannath Temple
Historical evidences avouch the construction of the present temple of Lord Jagannath to a period between the 11th & 12th Century A.D. There are however stray claims by proponents of Buddhism that the present structure is in fact a renovated work over an already existent structure which was dedicated to Lord Budha. As the original temple weakened, a new temple was built over its debris by King “Ananta Varman Chodaganga Dev. This fact is though not supported widely, has some takers who point out that with a base 30 feet, the temple might well have been built over the remains of an older temple.
The construction of the Jagannath Temple at Puri was initiated by the founder King of the Ganga Dynasty, King Chodaganga Deva in 1235 A.D. The construction was however finished by King Anangabhima Deva and the deities were installed in the temple in the same year. The management of the temple from then on had been undertaken by the ruling king of the state.
It continued uninterrupted till 1558 when Orissa was conquered by the Afghan Nawab of Bengal. The Jagannath temple was ravaged by the Muslims during this period under their ruthless commander “Kalapahad”. Subsequently an independent Hindu Kingdom was established by “Ramachandra Deb” at Khurda. He took over the management of the temple affairs having consecrated the temples and re installed the deities. The situation remained unchanged even after the Mughal conquest of Orissa. Following the invasion of the Marathas in 1751, the management of the temple passed over to the Marathas directly and they ran the temple affairs with unmatched dexterity. To their credit they even took measures to popularize the Car Festival of Puri and make the event a properly managed one.
The change of guards in the state in the year 1803 with the Britishers taking over, resulted in one more change in the temple management in 1803.The Britishers allowed the Puri King to manage the temple. They recognized that Puri's King (Gajapati Maharaj) as the Superintendent of the Temple and granted some revenue rights and privileges to the temple to run its affairs. The same position continues till date.
Architecture of Jagannath Temple
The architecture of the temple follows the pattern of many Orissan temples of the classical period. The main shikhara, or tower, rises above the inner sanctum where the deities reside. Subsidiary shikharas rise above ante-halls. The temple complex is surrounded by a wall, on each side of which is a gopura or gate, over which rises a pyramid-shaped roof. Being the largest temple in the state, it has a complex covering several square blocks with dozens of structures including a mammoth kitchen.
The main temple structure of this architectural and cultural wonder is 65m (214 feet) high and is built on elevated ground, making it look more imposing. Comprising an area of 10.7 acres, the temple complex is enclosed by two rectangular walls. The outer enclosure is called Meghanada Prachira, 200m (665 ft) by 192m (640 ft). The inner wall is called Kurmabedha, 126m (420 ft) by 95m (315 ft). There are thirty-six traditional communities (Chatisha Niyaga) who render a specific hereditary service to the deities. The temple has as many as 6,000 priests.
There is a wheel on top of the Jagannath Temple made of an alloy of eight metals (asta-dhatu). It is called the Nila Chakra (Blue Wheel), and is 3.5m (11 ft 8 in) high with a circumference of about 11m (36 ft). Every day, a different flag is tied to a mast attached to the Nila Chakra. Every Ekadasi, a lamp is lit on top of the temple near the wheel. There are four gates: the eastern Singhadwara (Lion Gate), the southern Ashwadwara (Horse Gate), the western Vyaghradwara (Tiger Gate), and the northern Hastidwara (Elephant Gate). There is a carving of each form by the entrance of each gate. The Lion Gate, which is the main gate, is located on Grand Road. Thirty different smaller temples surround the main temple. The Narasimha Temple, adjacent to the western side of the Mukti-mandapa, is said to have been constructed before this temple even.
Festivals of Puri Temple
Elaborate worship services are carried out throughout the day here. There are as many as 24 festivals each year, the most important one of them being the Rath Yatra or the Chariot festival in the month June - July. The spectacular chariot festival involves the procession of three colossal chariots bearing the images of Jagannath, Balarama and Subhadra through the streets of Puri.
Jagannath's chariot is a 35 feet square, rising to a height of 45 feet, with 16 wheels, 7 feet in diameter. More than 4000 people drag the chariot. Hundreds of thousands gather from all over the country to witness this festival. The chariot is dragged to the deity's summer abode where the deities are worshipped for a week, and then a re-enactment of the chariot festival, where they are brought back in procession happens. New chariots are made each year.
How to Reach Jagannath Temple 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
http://www.indianrail.gov.in
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.
Nearest Hotels of Jagannath Temple Puri
Anjana Resort Hotel
Gopal Ballav Road, Puri
0.9 km from Jagannath Temple
Yatrinivas Satpada
Via Brahmagiri, Puri
1.0 km from Jagannath Temple
Hotel New Rockbay 3.0 Star Hotel
Chakratirtha Road, in front of Sonar Gourang Temple, in front of Sonar Gourang Temple, Puri
0.6 km from Jagannath Temple
Fort Mahodadhi 4.0 Star Hotel
Sea Beach Road, Swargadwar Beach, Puri
1.1 km from Jagannath Temple
Hotel Pushpa (Berries Group of Hotels) 2.5 Star Hotel
Gopal Ballav Road, Sea Beach, Puri
1.1 km from Jagannath Temple
Manisa Hotel
Kachery Road, Puri
1.1 km from Jagannath Temple
Victoria Club Hotel
Sea Beach, Puri
1.2 km from Jagannath Temple
Sagarika Hotel
Sea Beach, Puri
1.2 km from Jagannath Temple
Hotel Dreamland
New Marine Drive Road, Ballia Panda, Puri
1.2 km from Jagannath Temple
Picture Gallery of Jagannath Temple
Google Map For Jagannath Temple Puri
Jagannath Temple is located Hauz Khas ,Near Green Park Metro Station in Delhi the capital of India.The temple was built in 1969 by Sree Neelachala Seva Sangh Delhi.The temple is dedicated to lord Jagannath.Other deities such as Balrama, Subhadra, Sudarshana Chakra etc. can also be worshiped in this temple. The Jagannath temple is known for its Rathyatra festival, which is attended by thousands of devotees each year.Orissa Government had donated one lakh rupees for the temple would also serve as a centre of cultural, religious and spiritual interests of Oriyas in Delhi. The Lord’s Yatra began first in 1979 after the temple was built.The idols worshipped here are of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra (brother of lord Jagannath), Maa Subhadra (sister of lord Jagannath) & Sudarshan chakra. “Kshana madhuna Narayana manugatam” Mantra chanted in the morning & evening Aarti (prayers) before the closure of the temple, take you to a new platform away from this harsh world. 
