ASI Protected
Jagannath Temple
Puri, Odisha
12th Century CE
One of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites, the Jagannath Temple was built by Anantavarman Chodaganga and completed by Anga Bhima Deva. It is famous for the annual Rath Yatra festival when massive wooden chariots carry the deities through the streets, a tradition that gave English the word "juggernaut".
Source: Aitihasik heritage database. Use this as a field guide and verify sensitive historical claims before citation.
Details
- Dynasty
- Eastern Ganga
- Style
- Kalinga
- Primary Deity
- Vishnu (Jagannath, with Balabhadra and Subhadra)
- Languages
- Odia, Sanskrit
- Scripts
- Odia, Sanskrit
Historical Significance
One of the four sacred Char Dham pilgrimage sites. Origin of the Rath Yatra (chariot festival) tradition. The word "juggernaut" derives from Jagannath. Known for the Mahaprasad (sacred food) tradition
Architectural Features
Curvilinear rekha deul tower (65m)Sudarshana Chakra atop the towerFour enclosure walls (meghanada prachira)Singhadwara (Lion Gate) entranceLarge Naata Mandapa (festival hall)