The City of Jagannath: PURI

The ancient city of Puri represents a kaleidoscopic impression of Indian architecture, temples and heritage. Situated in the state of Orissa, Puri is of great interest for people seeking to learn about Indian culture. The main two forces that captures a travelers vision is the majestic Jagannath temple and the Sea. So pack your bags to be a part of the marvelous experience.

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Jagannath Temple: Of The Royal Times and Religious Vibes

It is not possible to imagine that a country, state, region, city, or even a neighborhood is devoid of a temple. If we talk about India, then it becomes all the more impossible because it is one of those countries where people are highly religious and follow one or the other deity right from their childhood. Just like the history of humans in Indian subcontinent, there is also a history of temples here. For example, the Jagannath Temple in the state of Orissa, which dates back to the 12th century and has become one of the most visited pilgrimages in India.

Location

The Jagannath Temple is located in Puri, a coastal town and the headquarter of Puri Jagannath Temple, Puri district. The city itself is also known as Jagannath Puri owing to the temple.

History

According to the legend, the unique image of Lord Jagannath in the structure of an Indranila or Blue Jewel was discovered near a fig tree. This image was quite stunning due to which Dharma wished to bury it underground. However, King Indradyumna of Malwa desired to seek the image for which he carried out ruthless penances. Being pleased with the penances, Lord Vishnu asked him to approach the Puri seashore and look out for a perching log for preparing an image out of its trunk. Upon this, the king went to Puri and found the wood log. Then, the celestial being, Vishwakarma, emerged as an artist who, from the tree, made the images of Shree Krishna, Shree Balarama (brother of Shree Krishna), and Shreemati Subhadra. At present, these are the three deities in the main temple.

Structure

The temple occupies an area of 37,000 square metres, encompassed by a wall named as Meghanada Pacheri. The temple complex consists of 120 temples and shrines.

Meghanada Pacheri, the outer wall of the Jagannath Temple Entry to the temple is through four gates. Singhadwara or the Lion Gate is named so after the statues of lions on both the sides at the entrance. After entering through this gate, the worshipers have to ascend to the temple through a series of twenty-two steps. This gate serves as the main entrance to the temple.

Other gates of the temple are Hathidwara (Elephant Gate), Vyaghradwara (Tiger Gate) and Ashwadwara (Horse Gate).

Places of Interest:

Jagannath Temple

Jagannath Temple

It is one of biggest temple in Orissa. The majestic structure is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, an avatar of Lord Krishna. The temple was built in 12th century AD and portrays perfect example of the emergence of temple during the Kalinga period. It is a huge temple and is composed of four chambers. Apart from the main temple, there are nearly 120 small temples and shrines in the periphery area. It is believed that Lord Jagannath is served with 60 varieties of food daily as a part of bhog.

Gundicha Temple, Puri

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Situated near to the Jagannath temple is this complex, constructed in the 16th century. It is believed that the Gundicha temple is housed by Lord Krishna’s aunt. The attraction of temple is its huge dome that holds wheel of Lord Vishnu.

Sun Rise on Puri Beach

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You can spend some time relaxing on the beaches in Puri. An early morning walk on the shore and beautiful sunrise would win your heart. During Kartik Purnima, people from all over the country come to take a holy dip.

Festivals

Puri Rath Yatra

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The most celebrated festival in Orissa is the Puri Rath Yatra, which takes place in June or July every year. During this festival huge chariots are decorated and are placed by idols of Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra. The chariots are pulled by a million of devotees through the Grand Road to Gundicha Ghar where idols take rest for a week and are then taken back on the same chariot. The Puri beach festival takes place in the month of February where artists from all over the country create superb sculptures on the beach using sand and colours.

Puri is a perfect depiction of multi-culturalism of India. Its splendorous beauty captivates heart of the tourists and compels them to visit again. Your trip to India is incomplete if you do not experience the unique spirit of the city.

Swayambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu Valley in Nepal

Swayambhunath Stupa (also Money Temple) is a famous Buddhist shrine located on a hill top at the western edge of Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, the small Hindu nation on the lap of the Himalayas. The all-staring Buddha eyes staring out from the top of the stupa has become a quintessential symbol of Nepal throughout the world.

Swayambhunath Stupa, Nepal

Legend:

Swayambhunath Temple was founded about 2,000 years ago. It is held that Kathmandu Valley was filled with a lake and a single lotus grew at its centre. When boddhisatvamanjusri drained the lake with a slash of sword, the lotus settled on the hill top and magically transformed itself in to a stupa (hence the name Self-Created or Swayambhu Stupa).

History:

The earliest written record of the Swayambhunath Stupa dates back to a 5th-century stone inscription, although historians are the view that there was probably a shrine at this place as early as the 1st century.

Stupa Description:

The entry to the temple is from the eastern side where 365 ancient steps lead to the steep forest covered hill. The temple base is about 20 minute walk from the centre of the capital city. Another entry to the stupa/temple is from the western side.

A bright giant gate, which I nearly 12 feet tall, containing a huge Tibetan prayer wheel is located at the bottom of the eastern stairway. There are around dozen more smaller wheels around the gate. Devotees spin the prayer wheels to chant religious prayers and mantras. The staircase has three painted Buddha statues near the base. These statues date back to the 17th century.

Numerous jewellery stones adorn the stupa staircases and these are inscribed with Tibetan mantra Om Mani Padme hum (‘Hail to the jewel in the lotus’). The stupa stairs are populated with several monkeys, hence giving the temple its nickname. The dome of the main stupa represents the womb of creation. The Buddha eyes gazing out from each side of the tower are those of the all-seeing Primordial Buddha. Between each of the pairs is a symbol that represents the unity of all.

Other Attractions In and Around the Stupa:

• Harati Devi Temple: dedicated to the Hindu goddess of epidemics.
• Shantipur: a small shrine
• Pratappur and Anantapur shrines
• Shree Karma Raj Mahavihar, a Tibetan monastery with a big Buddha statue.
• Agnipur shrine
• Nagpur tank
• Bronze vajra (thunderbolt), a Tantric symbol of power, at the top of the eastern steps of the stupa. It is decorated with the signs of the Tibetan zodiac.

Festivals and Events:

Buddha Jayanti (in April or May) and Losar (in February or March) are the two main festivities celebrated at Swayambhunath Temple. Gunla is another celebration (August or September) observed to mark the end of the rainy season.

Best Time to go:

Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit Swayambhunath Temple. Pilgrims flock the site in the morning while tourists mainly visit it later.

Reaching:

Trivubhan International Airport serves Kathmandu

Kathmandu Accommodation:

• Hotel Vaishali
• Hotel Narayani
• The Blue Star
• Hotel Sherpa
• Grand Hotel

How to Reach Uttarakhand – Travelling Inside Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is Dev bhoomi, land of Gods. On the one hand it has hundreds of pilgrimage spots such as the famous Chardhams, Panch Badris, Panch Kedars and numerous other temples. On the other hand there are beautiful resorts. This is from where the holy Ganga originates and this is the land of legends and myths. Cradled by the mighty Himalayas, the land is bewitchingly attractive and sometimes inhospitable. Travel to Uttarakhand and you enter another world.

char dham road project

Getting There

There are different modes of transport you can use to reach Uttarakhand.

Train: travel by train is one of the easiest and comfortable ways to reach Uttarakhand. Haridwar is the main junction in Haridwar connected to the rest of India by a rail network. Once you reach Haridwar you can take another train to reach Rishikesh and then switch to road travel for journeys to various destinations in Uttarakhand. You could also reach Dehradun or Nainital depending on where you wish to go. For char dham yatris Haridwar is the starting point. There are minor train stations at Kotdwar, Kathgodam, Pauri and Udham Singh Nagar.

Air: Being a mountainous area, Uttarakhand has only a few airports. The most popular airport is Jolly Grant at Dehradun and the other is Pantnagar airport at Nainital

Road: Travel by road is another good way to reach Uttarakhand and also for travel within the state. There is a network of roads leading to Uttarakhand from Delhi, from the southern side and from the eastern sides. Some people prefer to travel by private buses or by state transport buses operating between Delhi and Nainital or Haridwar. There are also organized tours starting from Delhi to various destinations.

Travel Inside Uttarakhand

However, if you wish to travel at your leisure and convenience the best way is to travel in a car or SUV. Instead of taking your own car it is better to hire a car with a driver because drivers here are familiar with the mountainous roads and drive safely. With a rented car you do not have to worry about maintenance or repairs should it break down. It is easy to get an SUV or car from a car rental in Haridwar for all your journeys inside Uttarakhand. Whether you go on a pilgrimage or tour resorts, a car with a driver gives you freedom of travel.

Keep in Mind:

• Pick a trustworthy car hire agency in Haridwar and hire a larger vehicle even if it costs more because you will have ample space for luggage and to stretch out.
• Decide on the route before hand and make a plan and confirm it with the car hire people. Fix rates, usually on a per kilometre basis or per day basis.
• Clarify even the most minor point and make sure the driver understands the terms because they may refuse at some point and you would be left stranded.
• Pack plenty of woollens, bottled water and thermosful of hot coffee or tea along with something to eat.
• Avoid travel by night on the roads, especially in mountainous areas.
• The best season is undoubtedly summer. Monsoons may cause landslides and roadblocks in some areas and winter is when it becomes quite chilly. Roads higher up in the mountains may be closed.

There is nothing like having a car with you because you can come across many beautiful scenes where you may wish to stop, alight from the car and admire the scenery. You may wish to rush through to some place or linger at a roadside Dhaba. You can do all these and visit your favorite spots when you travel by a hired car in Uttarakhand.