Amarnath Temple, Jammu and Kashmir Amarnath Temple, Jammu and Kashmir History For Hindus, the Amarnath Temple in Jammu and Kashmir, India, is of utmost religious significance. It is one of Hinduism's most sacred sanctuaries and is devoted to Lord Shiva. The Amarnath Temple has a long and illustrious history. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is believed to have given his celestial spouse, Goddess Parvati, the secret to immortality there in the Amarnath Cave. Legend has it that Lord Shiva chose to give this secret knowledge to her in this remote cave high in the Himalayas. The cave was hidden and inaccessible for many years before being rediscovered in the 18th century by a Muslim shepherd by the name of Buta Malik. According to the mythology, Buta Malik was handed a bag of coal by a sadhu (holy man), who ordered him to wait until he reached home before open it. Buta Malik discovered the coal had turned into gold when he opened the bag. He was so overwhelmed by this miracle...
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| Puri Jagannath Temple |
History and Legend of Puri Jagannath Temple
The Puri Jagannath Temple was constructed by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga dynasty in the 12th century, which is when it first appeared in history. The temple was erected in honor of Lord Jagannath, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, as well as his siblings Subhadra and Balabhadra. The current temple edifice, which was built in the 12th century after numerous centuries of reconstruction, was built.
According to legend, Lord Jagannath appeared in the dreams of King Indradyumna, a devout follower of Lord Vishnu, and instructed him to build a temple for him in Puri. The king searched for a suitable location and eventually found a sacred neem tree, which was considered to be the abode of Lord Jagannath. The temple was built around the tree, and the idol of Lord Jagannath was installed inside the temple.
The tale of Lord Krishna and his childhood friend Sudama is another well-known tradition connected to the temple. After many years, when Sudama was in desperate need of assistance, he prayed to Lord Krishna, who answered his prayer by appearing before him in the shape of Lord Jagannath. It is believed that Lord Krishna made the promise to Sudama that he would always take care of him.
Architecture of Puri Jagannath Temple
The Kalinga style of architecture, which is distinguished by its use of stone, complex carvings, and temple spires, is best exemplified by the Puri Jagannath Temple. The main temple, the Natamandira, the Bhoga Mandapa, and the Jagamohan are the four primary buildings that make up the temple complex, which has a total size of nearly 400,000 square feet.
The most significant building in the temple complex is the main temple, commonly referred to as the sanctum sanctorum, which holds the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. The temple is 214 feet tall and is constructed of black granite. A detailed carving of a god or goddess adorns the Vimana, the temple's pinnacle.
In front of the main temple is an open-air building known as the Natamandira, or the dance hall. It is utilized for a variety of religious and cultural events, including musical and dramatic performances.
The preparation and distribution of food offerings to the gods take place in the Bhoga Mandapa, also known as the food hall, which is situated on the eastern side of the temple complex.
Various rites and ceremonies are performed at the Jagamohan, also known as the assembly hall, which is situated in front of the main temple.
Puri Jagannath Temple Festivals and Celebrations
The annual Rath Yatra at the Puri Jagannath Temple, which takes place in June or July every year, is well-known. The Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra idols are removed from the temple and placed in enormous chariots that are drawn by devotees through the streets of Puri during the Rath Yatra. Millions of people travel to Puri to take part in one of the largest religious celebrations in India, the Rath Yatra.
Events Puri Jagannath Temple
The Puri Jagannath Temple is well-known for a number of different occasions and festivals that are observed all year long in addition to the yearly Rath Yatra. Here are a few of the significant occasions and holidays observed in the Puri Jagannath Temple.
Snana Yatra: An yearly ceremony known as the Snana Yatra takes place on the day of the full moon in the Hindu month of Jyestha (May–June). The Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra statues are taken from the temple during this rite and carried to the Snana Mandap, a special bathing platform, where they are bathed with 108 pitchers of water in what is thought to be a cleaning ceremony.
Chandan Yatra: A 21-day event called the Chandan Yatra is held during the Hindu month of Vaishakh (April–May). The Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra idols are removed from the temple during this festival and deposited aboard a specially constructed boat. The deities are then ritually bathed with sandalwood paste at the Narendra tank, which is reached by boat. The festival also features a number of cultural processions and programs.
Anavasara: The idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are kept in seclusion and are not worshiped by devotees during a period of 15 days known as Anavasara. It is thought that during this time, the gods get sick and the Daitas, a group of temple workers, tend to them.
Bahuda Yatra: The Rath Yatra's return trip is known as the Bahuda Yatra. In their individual chariots, the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are driven back to the temple. On the tenth day following the Rath Yatra, the festival is observed.
Suna Besha: On the tenth day following the Rath Yatra, there is a large rite called the Suna Besha. During this ceremony, the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are dressed in gold jewelry and seated within the temple on a golden throne.
Niladri Bije: The Rath Yatra comes to an end with the Niladri Bije ritual. The Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra idols are brought back to the temple and set up in the appropriate sanctuaries. There are thousands of devotees present, and the holiday is celebrated with considerable fanfare.
The Puri Jagannath Temple is among India's holiest and most renowned temples. It is renowned for its annual Rath Yatra, one of the major religious events in India, and is a fine example of Kalinga architecture. Numerous additional occasions and festivals that take place in the temple throughout the year draw millions of followers from around the globe. The temple is a significant piece of India's rich cultural past and serves as a place of prayer as well as a hub for tradition, culture, and heritage.
How to reach Puri Jagannath Temple
The Puri Jagannath Temple is situated in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, in the town of Puri. It is a well-liked pilgrimage location and is easily accessible by a variety of means of transportation. How to get to the Puri Jagannath Temple is shown below.
By Air: The nearest airport to Puri is the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, which is about 60 km away. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Puri.
By Train: Puri has its own railway station, which is well-connected to major cities across India. Several trains run daily from cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore to Puri.
By Road: Puri is well-connected to major cities and towns in Odisha and other neighboring states by a network of state and national highways. You can take a bus or hire a taxi from nearby cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Konark, and Kolkata to reach Puri.
Things to know before visiting Puri Jagannath Temple
Hindus worship the Puri Jagannath Temple, which draws thousands of pilgrims from all over the world each year. Before entering the temple, it's crucial to be aware of specific practices and traditions because it has significant spiritual and cultural value. Before visiting the Puri Jagannath Temple, consider the following information
Dress code: Visitors are required to dress modestly while visiting the temple. Shorts, skirts, and revealing clothing are not allowed. Men are required to wear dhoti or lungi, while women are required to wear saree or salwar kameez.
Footwear: Visitors are not allowed to wear footwear inside the temple complex. There are designated areas outside the temple where visitors can keep their footwear.
Photography: Photography is not allowed inside the temple complex. Visitors are also not allowed to take pictures of the deities.
Visit timing Puri Jagannath Temple
The Puri Jagannath Temple is open for darshan (worship) throughout the day, but it is closed for a few hours in the afternoon and during certain rituals. Here are the timings for visiting the temple:
Morning Darshan: The temple opens at 5:00 am for Mangala Aarti, which is the first worship of the day. Visitors can enter the temple and have darshan until 1:00 pm.
Afternoon Closing: The temple is closed for a few hours in the afternoon for cleaning and other rituals. The exact timing for the closing varies depending on the time of year and the rituals being performed, but it is usually between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm.
Evening Darshan: The temple reopens at around 4:00 pm for the Sandhya Aarti, which is the evening worship. Visitors can have darshan until the temple closes for the night at around 9:00 pm.
Crowds: The temple is a popular pilgrimage site and attracts large crowds, especially during festivals and rituals. Visitors should be prepared for long queues and crowds.
It's important to note that the temple timings may change during festivals and special occasions. During the Rath Yatra festival, for example, the temple remains open for 24 hours. It's always a good idea to check the temple's official website or consult with a local guide to confirm the timings before planning your visit.
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