Jagannath Temple: History, Rath Yatra, Mysterious Facts & Travel Guide

The Jagannath Temple, located in Puri, Odisha, is one of the most revered shrines in India.

According to Hindu mythology, it is considered a part of the Char Dham, the four sacred pilgrimage sites.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu, along with his elder brother Balram and sister Subhadra.

As per temple records, the shrine was originally built by King Indradyumna of Avanti.

Puri Rath Yatra Festival

The Jagannath Temple is world-famous for its grand Rath Yatra, or chariot Festival, celebrated every year in Puri.

During this sacred event, the three deities, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balram, and Goddess Subhadra, are placed on enormous, beautifully decorated wooden chariots. With chants of “Jai Jagannath!” echoing in the air, lakhs of devotees pull the chariots through the streets of Puri, creating a spiritual atmosphere.

The Rath Yatra is not just a festival but a divine union. Since non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple, it is believed that Lord Jagannath himself steps out with his siblings to give darshan to his devotees, regardless of caste or religion.

The nine-day-long journey is celebrated with unmatched joy, devotion, and festivity, making it one of the most unique religious experiences in the world.

Idols of the Jagannath Puri Temple

It is believed that when Lord Krishna fulfilled his divine purpose on earth, his soul left his body, but the mortal remains of his body were preserved by some pious people in a box. They were preserved in the box till it was brought to the attention of King Indradyumna.

Lord Vishnu ordered the king that a wooden log would wash up on the shore at Puri, and the architect of the gods, or the divine craftsman Vishwakarma, would carve the idols out of it and consecrate the remains of the body in the belly of the idol.

Vishwakarma agreed to make the idols, but on the condition that while making the idols, nobody should disturb him, and he would work in privacy. The King accepted it, and Vishwakarma started the work.

But everyone was eager to see the idols that, after waiting for a fortnight, the king was unable to control himself. So he went to the place where the Vishwakarma was working. At this, Vishwakarma got upset and left the idols incomplete. The idols were without feet and incomplete hands.

Why Lord Vishnu Accepted the Incomplete Idols

The king was very depressed and requested Lord Brahma for help. Brahma reassured him that everything had happened with the divine consent of Lord Vishnu, and that the idols would be worshipped and revered in this very form for eternity.

The idols of the temple are made of sacred neem wood (also called daru in the local language), unlike most other temples, where idols are made of stone and metal.  Skilled carpenters craft these idols within twenty-one days, and are ceremoniously replaced every 12 or 19 years with identical new forms.

A deeply rooted belief also states that the idol of Lord Jagannath contains the eternal heart of Krishna, which remained unburnt after he departed from the world. Some traditions even say that the original idols were respectfully immersed in a pond near the temple, preserving their sanctity forever.

Mysterious Facts About Jagannath Temple

1. Preparation of Prasadam –

There are certain facts related to the Jagannath Temple. One of them is about the food (Mahaprasadam) cooked to offer to Lord Jagannath. The food cooked to offer to Lord Jagannath is believed to be supervised by Goddess Lakshmi, who is the wife of Lord Vishnu.

Prasadam is cooked on firewood in seven earthen pots, placed one above the other.

Strangely, the food in the topmost pot gets cooked first, followed by the pots below. This divine phenomenon has remained a sacred mystery for centuries, leaving devotees and visitors in awe.

2. Flag’s Direction –

The flag atop the Jagannath Temple holds a unique mystery; it always flies against the direction of the wind.

This is a 1800-year-old tradition, where a priest climbs to the top of the shikhara (temple dome) every single day to change the flag.

It is believed that if this ritual is skipped even for a single day, then the temple will be closed for 18 years. Such is the divine power and sanctity of this sacred practice.

3. The Direction of the Chakra –

On top of the Jagannath Temple, there is a chakra (wheel) which weighs nearly one ton.

The most fascinating fact is that no matter from which direction a person looks at it, the chakra always appears to be facing them.

4. The Prasadam for Devotees –

The Jagannath temple’s kitchen is believed to be the second largest in the world. Lakhs of devotees visit the Puri Jagannath temple every year.

During the grand Rath Yatra, the number of pilgrims is much higher than on normal days. But the amount of prasadam cooked daily for devotees remains the same, and yet, none of the devotees remain unfed. Even the prasadam is not wasted, which is a mystery that continues to amaze everyone.

5. Reverse Direction of Sea Breeze –

Normally, in coastal areas during the daytime, the breeze blows from the sea towards the land. During evening hours, it blows from land towards the sea.

But at Jagannath Puri, the phenomenon occurs in reverse, which is truly nothing less than a divine miracle.

6. Sound of the Sea Waves –

Once you get inside the Jagannath Temple, you will stop hearing the sound of the sea waves, which is clearly audible outside but mysteriously disappears.

It is believed that Goddess Subhadra wished for the temple to remain a place of peace and silence, and to honor her wish, the sea seems to fall quiet within its walls.

Many also regard this as a brilliant marvel of ancient Indian temple architecture.

7. Why No One Can Fly Above the Jagannath Temple? –

It is said that no being, whether a bird or even an airplane, can fly directly above the Jagannath Temple.

According to local belief, airplanes automatically change their route. Even the birds are not seen flying above the temple shikhara.

This enduring mystery has fascinated devotees and visitors alike, leaving them in awe of the temple’s divine aura.

8. No Shadow –

One of the most intriguing mysteries of the Jagannath Temple is that it casts no shadow at any time of the day, regardless of the direction of the sun.

Whether that is an architectural wonder or simply a supernatural phenomenon, remains an unsolved enigma.

Vaishnavacharyas Who Visited Jagannath Temple, Puri

The Jagannath Temple holds a sacred place for all Vaishnavas, the followers of Lord Vishnu who worship him as the Supreme Deity.

Over the centuries, many revered saints and acharyas visited the shrine, including:

• Ramanujacharya
• Madhvacharya
• Nimbarkacharya
• Vallabhacharya
• Ramananda
• Adi Shankaracharya
• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

How to Reach Jagannath Temple

Mode	Nearest Point	Distance / Details	How to Reach the Temple
Airport	Bhubaneswar Airport	~60 km away	Take a taxi or cab to Puri
Railway Station	Puri Railway Station	Closest station to the temple	Hire a taxi/auto-rickshaw to temple
Bus Stand	Puri Bus Stand	Within the city	Hire a taxi/auto-rickshaw to the temple

Best Time to Visit Jagannath Temple, Puri

You can come to the Jagannath Temple at any time of the year, but the best season is from October to February, when the weather is pleasant and the humidity is low.

If you want to be a part of a nine-day-long grand Rath Yatra, then the best time to visit Puri is in the month of Jyestha (June–July), according to the Hindu Panchang. Experiencing the temple during this festival is truly unforgettable.

So, when are you coming for the divine darshan of Lord Jagannath? Come and visit the temple and receive the blessings of Lord Jagannath and enjoy the moments at the divine Rath Yatra.

Which part of the Jagannath Temple amazed you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below.