Temples

Holy City Puri :

Gundicha Temple:
The most important sanctuary of Jagannath is the Gundicha temple, the abode to which Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are driven each of his or her wooden cars once in a year, during the Car Festival. Except for these few days it is unoccupied, but there is a small establishment of servants by whom it is regularly maintained. It is situated at the other end of the great highway (Badadanda). The distance between the gates of Jagannath temple and the Gundicha temple, is exactly 2,688.0696 meters (8327 feet). The temple is surrounded by a wall and stands in the
middle of garden. It consists of four pars connected with kitchen rooms by a narrow passage. The tower, a construction of Pidha type, is 75 feet high with a base of 55 feet by 46 feet outside, and 36 feet 8inches by 27 feet inside. All the four structures (Vimana, Jagamohan, Natamandap, and Bhogamandap) bear the traces of several plastering and are carved in places with obscene figures in mortar. There is a plain raised seat, 4 feet high and 19 feet long, made of chlorite, and this is called the Ratnavedi- the throne on which the images are placed when brought to the temple.

Astasambhu Temple:

The eight guardians Siva's of this abode of Jagannath (Vishnu) are Markandeswar, Yajneswara, Nilakantheswara, Vilveswara, Kapalamochana, Baleswara, Isaneswara and Pataleswara.

Astachandi Temple:

The eight Chandis, collectively called Astachandi, are Bata Mangala, Bimala, Sarvamangal, Ardhasani, Alamba, Dakshinakalika, Marichika and Harachandi.

Panchatirtha Temple:

The sacred tanks are Indradyumna near the Gundicha temple, Manikarnika in the Marnikarnika street, Markanda towards the north of the Jagannath temple and Swetaganga towards the south of the Jagannath temple. These four tirthas or sacred waters together with the sea make the Panchtirtha or five sacred waters in which pilgrims are solemnly enjoined to take bath. Some of these places and few other places, such as: Lokanath temple, Atharnala Bridge, etc., deserve special mention.

Loknath Temple:

This is the fomous Siva temple of Puri Located about One Kilometer away from the Jagannath Temple towards the western end. There is a popular belief that Lord Ram had installed this lingam with a Lauka or Pumpkin. The Temple was build during 10th-11th century A.D. The devotees come here to see Lord Loknath in order to be cured from any kind of disease. There are certain festivals observed in this temple out of which' Saranti-Somobar-mela' is the important one. There is a streem on the head Sivalinga playing the roal of the Ganges and linga, It self remains under the water. The flowers, sandal paste, 'Bilva-patra', etc. offered to the God remain decomposed in the water emittining a special smell and teast being medicated as a whole. people take it as Prasad, in order to be cured from the disese that they suffered for. The festival of Siva Ratri is observed in the temple of Lokanath with great devotion. A meetinf of Siva and Vishnu takes place on the day.

Chakratirtha Temple:

The Chakratirtha, a small and unprotected pool, is in the South-eastof Jagannath Temple on the Sea-Beach of popularly known as C.T. Road headind towards Pentha Kata- The fishersman village. It is evidently a part of the old mouth of the Balagandi stream that flowed across the Badadanda to the sea. The place is known as Bankimuhana. Near-by is the temple of Chaitanya called Sunar-Gouranga, a place largely visited by the pilgrims.

Chakranarayan Temple:

Towards the northern side of the temple of Sunar-Gouranga is the temple of Chakranarayana. The image of Lakshmi-Narasimha is worshipped here.

Daria Mahabir Temple:

At the distance of about thirty meters to the west of the Chakranarayan temple, Daria Mahabir is a small temple dedicated to Hanuman. He is also known as Bedi Hanuman.

Ardhasani Temple:

On the way to Gundicha temple, Ardhasani is a small temple dedicated to the goddess of that name. She is also known as Mausi Maa (mother’s sister) of Lord Jagannath.

Siddha Mahavir Temple:

At a distance of about half a mile (804.672 meters), to the west of Gundicha temple, there is a small temple dedicated to Siddha Hanuman. It is believed that Tulasidas resided at this place during his stay at Puri. It is a beautiful spot for picnic.


Jameswara Temple:

This is again a temple of 11-11th Century A.D. located on the extreme end of Harichandi Street. It howed Jameswara Siva, who protects this holy land from the influence of Yama, on the other hand it is know on as Yamanaka Tirtha. Again this temple is one of the historical evidences, if analysed, can get lot of evidence of the culture of Puri. Besides, there are many religious shriness and sanctuaries found in each and every street of Puri. There are Ashrams of saints like Pandu, Angira, Bhrigu and Nigamananda and others also found in the different areas. Tourists if interested, can take the name of the streets and follow the guide map enclosed

Alabukeswara Temple:

Alabukeswara is a Saiva shrine situated to the west of the Yameswara. It is spoken of in high terms by the Kapila Samhita for making barren women fruitful.

Kapalamochana Temple / Manikarnika:

Kapalamochana is a small Saiva temple in the immediate neighborhood of the Alabukeswara in the Manikarnika Sahi. The sacred pool of Manikarnika is also located here. Besides all these temples and sacred places as, Sama Kali, Dakhina kali, Barahi in Bali Sahi; Ramachandi in Kundheibenta Sahi and Putia Rani temple near Bus stand on the Badadanda.

Daksinakalika Temple

The temple is situated towards south-eastern side of the Lord Jagannath temple on Balisahi. Puranic tradition say that in Sriksetra or Puri, Sri Jagannath is regarded as Daksinakalika. The deity is enshring in a modern temple at an higher rasied platform. The temple is facing to east an consist of a vimana and a Jagamohana. The deity is four armed and seated on a corrpse. She is shown as drinking blood, with a dagger and holding severed head in two of her hands. It is believed that Daksinakalika is the guardian of the kitchen of the Lord Jagannath Temple.

Syamakali Temple:

These shrines are there in the old palace of Gajapati Kings of Puri. Now the historical Royal Palace is situated in the grand trunk road (Bada danda) of Puri. This is a new Place. The old Palace was there in Bali Sahi. From the Southen door of Lord Jagannath temple one can go to this place.

Dasavatara Temple:

There is a ruinous temple of the 'Dasavatara' of Vishnu near Gundicha temple. This is the place where the Kabi Jayadeve, the author of Gitagovindam stayed . Being inspired with the ten incarnations of Vishnu, he wrote Dasaavatara Strotra in his famous work Gitagovindam.

The Temple of Seven Mother Goddesses:

This temple is situated on the embankment of a big sacred pond, Markandeya Soravara. This reminds us of the similar temple build at Dasasvamedha Ghat of Yajpur built in the 10th century by the Somavamsi Kings. Brahmi, Maheswari, Andri, Kaumari, Vaisnavi, Varahi and Camanda are known as the seven mother Goddesses. Sometime Narasimha replace Vaisnavi, a female from the man-Lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu. However, the Shrine of the seven mother goddess at the pond Markanda proves very well that once upon a time Puri was a bonafide Sakta Pitha and Goddess Vimala was the presiding deity of this pitha.

Mausima Temple:

The three chariots of Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra start from the Singha Dwara of the Temple of Jagannath and reach at 'Gundicha Temple', at the other end of the Bada danda. In betweet 'Gundicha Temple' and 'Singha Dwara' there comes the Shrin of the Goddess, Ardhamsini or Ardhasini. Popularly known as Mousima (aunt) of Jagannath where the Lord take a bhoga of 'Podapitha", a special cake. It is stared in Skanda Purana, Vaisanava Knadha that during the deluge, when the sea overflooded Puri, this goddess drank half of the flood water and saved the town. There for her name become Arthasini.

Konarak :

Renowned for its magnificent sun temple, which was constructed by Narasinha Deva of Ganga dynasty of Orissa in mid 13th century, Konark is also a lovely beach resort. It is easily approachable from BhubanesHwar-64 kms & Puri-32 kms by coaches and tourist cars. Regular bus services including conducted sigthtseeing tours are available for Konark from BhubanesHwar and Puri.

In Konark, the "Natya Mandir", the dance hall of the Sun Temple probably remains as the last remnant of the glorious temples of Orissa an extant example of the architectural excellence of the times. Built in the 13th Century, here a collossal image of the chariot of the Sun, drawn by seven horses and 24 wheels symbolises the divisions of time. The main tower of Konark stood as high as 227 feet, superceding both Lingaraja and Jagannath Temples. The Jagmohana (Porch) structure and the tower are both situated atop the stone platform supporting the 24 wheels. The Konark Sun Temple also houses a Natamandira or dancing hall. Only two subsidiary temples out of the 22, that were also situated inside the temple precincts, exist today. The VaishnadeviMayadevi Temple stand to the West of the towers. The Sun temple of Narasimhadeva is a depiction in stone of the life of those times – royal, social, religious and military. The intricate carvings on the walls and wheels of the chariot are unprecedented in history. The fine sculptures depicting Court life, hunting, scenes, celestial deities are epitomes of precision and grace. Graceful sculptures from the world of the Kamasutra, epic of eroticism also adorn the structures. The Sun Temple standing in solitary splendour is the relic of a great past. The history lovers can regale themselves at the Archaeological Museum at the site of the Konark Sun Temple. The majestic Sun Temple silhouetted against the setting sun remains indelibly etched in the spectator’s memory.

How to reach

Air : Nearest airport Bhubaneshwar (64 kms) is connected with Calcutta, Delhi, Hyderabad, Madras and Nagpur by Indian Airlines flights.

Rail : Nearest railheads Puri (31 kms) and Bhubaneshwar (64 kms) are connected by rail with all the major places in India.

Road : Konark is well-connected by regular bus-services with Puri, Bhubaneshwar as well as all the major places in Orissa.
List Of Orissa Temple
1. Akhandaleswara Temple (11th century) at Prataprudrapur (Kenduli) near Konarak
2. Amareshwara Temple at Amareshwar near Konarak
3. Ananta Vasudeva Temple at Bhubaneswar
4. Angeshwara Temple at Pitapara near Niali
5. Ashta Sambhu Temple ruins (12th cent) at Chaudar near Cuttack
6. Bakeshwara Temple at Bhubaneshwar
7. Bhagawati Temple at Banapur near Bhubaneswar
8. Bhagawati Temple at Parahat near Jagatsinghapur
9. Bhagawati Temple at Vateshwar near Salepur
10. Bhaskareswara Temple at Bhubaneshwar
11. Bhavani Shankara Temple (near the Sari Deul) at Bhubaneshwar
12. Bhimeswara Temple at Daraba near Jagatsinghapur
13. Bhrameswara Temple at Bhubaneshwar
14. Bhramheswara Temple at Beraboi near Delang
15. Bhringeswara Mahadeva Temple (8th century) at Bajrakot near Talcher
16. Biranchi Narayana Temple at Palia near Bhadrak
17. Buddhanatha Shiva Temple at Garudipanchana near Bhubaneshwar
18. Champeswara Temple at Champeswar near Narsinghpur (Cuttack)
19. Chandeswara Temple at Chandeswar near Tangi (Puri)
20. Chandi Temple at Sochanpurochana near Nilgiri (Baleshwar)
21. Chandrasekhara Temple at Khiching near Panchpir (Mayurbhanj)
22. Chandrasekhara Temple at Kapilas Hill near Kapilas
23. Charchika Temple at Amareshwar near Konarak
24. Chateswara Temple at Kishenpur near Cuttack
25. Chitkarini Temple at Bhubaneshwar
26. Dakra Bhimeswara Temple at Bhubaneshwar
27. Daksheswara Temple at Banapur
28. Durga Temple at Motia near Konarak
29. Ekambareswara Temple (within the Lingaraja compound) at Bhubaneshwar
30. Gangeshwari Temple at Beyalisbati near Konarak
31. Garteswara Temple at Algum near Sakshigopal (Puri)
32. Gauri Shankara Ganesha Temple (8th century) at Bhubaneshwar
33. Gokarneswara Temple at Jamu-Goradi - Adasapur near Bhubaneshwar (37km)
34. Gopinath Temple at Nuasomeswarpur near Sakshigopal
35. Gopinatha Temple at Kakudia near Bhubaneshwar
36. Grameswara Temple at Lataharana near Kakatpur (Puri)
37. Grameswara Temple at Birpratappur near Sakshigopal
38. Grameswara Temple (13th cent ruins) at Berhumpur near Jagatsinghapur
39. Grameswara Temple (ruins) at Adasapur (Prachi valley ) near Bhubaneshwar (37 km)
40. Indralath (Vishnu) Temple (10th cent) at Ranipur - Jharial near Titlagarh
41. Indrasthana Temple at Amaravati near Cuttack*
42. Jaganatha Temple at Palur near Rambha
43. Khambeswari Temple (Aska)
44. Jagannath Temple at Puri
45. Jaleswara Temple at Kalarahanga near Bhubaneshwar
46. Kakharua Baidyanatha Temple at Mantri near Badasahi (Mayurbhanj)
47. Kanakeswara Temple (8th-9th cent) at Kualo (Kodalaka) near Talcher
48. Kapileshwara Temple at Adasapur - Kapila Muni Ashram near Bhubaneshwar (37 km)
49. Kapileswara Temple at Charda near Binka (Balangir)
50. Kapileswara Temple at Bhubaneshwar
51. Kedareswara Temple at Bhubaneshwar
52. Kenduli Temple ruins at Kenduli near Konarak
53. Khileswara Temple (12th century) at Khilor near Pipli (Puri)
54. Kinchakeswari Temple at Khiching near Panchpir (Mayurbhanj)
55. Konark Sun Temple at Konark
56. Kosaleswara Temple at Anandapur (Degaon)
57. Kosaleswara Temple at Baidyanath near Solangir
58. Kosaleswara Temple (9th cent) at Patnagarh near Sonepur
59. Kotitheertheswara Temple at Bhubaneshwar
60. Kutopokhari Temple at Remuna near Balasore
61. Dandeswara Temple (kodala 50 Kms From Berhampur)
62. Balukeswara Temple (kodala 50 Kms From Berhampur 1876 AD)
63. Lakshmaneshwara Temple ruins at Bhubaneshwar
64. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Amareshwar near Konarak
65. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Nuapatna near Bhubaneshwar (37km)
66. Lakshmi Narayana Temple at Chaurasi near Konarak
67. Lingaraj Temple at Bhubaneswar
68. Madhavananda Temple at Adasapur (Prachi valley ) near Bhubaneshwar (37 km)
69. Madhavananda Temple at Madhava near Niali
70. Mahavinayaka Temple at Chandikhol
71. Mahendragiri Temples at Mahendragiri (South Ganjam)
72. Mahisasura Mardini Temple at Adasapur (Prachi valley ) near Bhubaneshwar (37 km)
73. Makareshwara Temple at Bhubaneshwar
74. Mallikeswara Temple at Paikapada near Rayagarha (Koraput)
75. Mallikeswara Temple at Padmapur near Gunupur
76. Mangala Temple at Kakatpur near Konarak
77. Manikeswara Temple at Sukleshwara near Talcher
78. Maninageswara Temple at Baleshwar
79. Markandeswara Temple at Bhubaneshwar
80. Megheswara Temple at Bhubaneshwar
81. Mitreswara Temple at Bhubaneshwar
82. Mohini Temple at Bhubaneshwar
83. Mukteswara Temple at Bhubaneswar
84. Narasimha Temple at Puri
85. Narasimhanatha Temple at Nrusingnath near Padmapur (Sambalpur)
86. Nilakanteshwara Shiva Temple at Adasapurnear Bhubaneshwar(37 km)
87. Nilamadhava Temple at Mudgala Madhava near Konarak
88. Nilamadhava Temple at Chahata near Konarak
89. Nilamahadeva Temple at Gandharadi near Bauda (Phulabani)
90. Padmeswara Temple at Baneswarnasi near Narasinghpur (Cuttack)
91. Panchapandava(Vishnu)Temple(10th century)atGaneshwarpur near Chhatia(Cuttack)
92. Papanasini Temple at Bhubaneshwar
93. Parasurameswara Temple at Bhubaneswar
94. Parvati Temple (Lingaraj Temple) at Bhubaneswar
95. Paschimeswara Temple at Amangai Island near Khanderpur (Athgarh - Cuttack)
96. Pataleswara Temple at Paikapada near Rayagarha (Koraput)
97. Pataleswara Temple (10th cent) at Budhikomna near Khariar (Raipur) Kalahandi
98. Purneswara Temple at Bhillideuli near Nimapara (Puri)
99. Rajarani Temple at Bhubaneswar
100. Rameswara Temple at Bauda near Phulabani
101. Rasikaraya Temple ruins at Haripur (Mayurbhanj) near Haripur (Mayubhanj)
102. Samaleswari Temple at Sonapur
103. Sari Deul Temple at Bhubaneshwar
104. Shiva Temple at Badagaon near Bhanjanagar
105. Siddheswara Temple at Bhubaneshwar
106. Siddheswara Temple at Gandharadi near Bauda (Phulabani)
107. Simhanatha Temple at Simhanatha Island near Baideswar (Cuttack)
108. Sisireswara Temple at Bhubaneswar
109. Sisireswara Temple at Bhubaneshwar
110. Sobhaneshwara Temple at Niali
111. Somanatha Temple at Ghorodia near Delang (Puri)
112. Somanatha Temple at Budhapada near Bhubaneshwar
113. Someswara Shiva Temple at Ranipur Jharial near Titlagarh
114. Someswara Temple at Someswara near Kakatpur (Puri)
115. Suvarnameru Temple at Sonapur
116. Swapneswara Temple at Adasapur (Prachi valley ) near Bhubaneshwar (37 km)
117. Taleswara Temple (near Parasurameswara) at Bhubaneshwar
118. Tarakeshwara Temple at Ganeshwarpur near Cuttack
119. Trilochaneshwara Temple at Sadansa near Niali
120. Uttareswara Temple at Bhubaneshwar
121. Vaital Deul at Bhubaneswar
122. Valukeswara Temple at Bhubaneshwar
123. Vanivakreswara Temple at Kalupada near Puri (Delang)
124. Varaha Narasimha Temple at Adasapur (Prachi valley )near Bhubaneshwar (37 km)
125. Varuneswara Temple at Bhubaneshwar
126. Vishwanatha Temple at Krishna Prasadgarh near Amareshwar
127. Yameshwara Temple at Bhubaneshwar