About Jagannath Temple
Shree Jagannath Temple in the coastal town of Puri, Odisha, is one of the four Char Dham pilgrimages and one of the most important Vaishnava temples in India. Lord Jagannath, a form of Krishna, is worshipped here with his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. The deities are carved from neem wood and have distinctive large round eyes. Puri is world famous for the annual Rath Yatra, when the deities ride huge wooden chariots through the town, and for the Mahaprasad cooked in the temple's enormous kitchen.
Legend says King Indradyumna was guided to build a temple for Lord Jagannath, and the deities were carved from a sacred log that washed ashore. The present temple was built in the 12th century by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. Every twelve to nineteen years the wooden deities are ritually replaced in a ceremony called Nabakalebara. Saints such as Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanuja and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are closely linked with Puri, and Shankara founded the Govardhan Matha here.
The temple is built in the Kalinga style, with a towering main spire (rekha deula) about 65 metres high, topped by the Neela Chakra, a wheel of eight metals, and a flag changed daily. The complex is enclosed by high walls with four gates, and holds many smaller shrines and the Ananda Bazaar, where Mahaprasad is sold.
Jagannath Temple timings & aarti
Usually open from early morning (about 5:00 AM) until late night, with darshan pausing during rituals. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.
| Aarti / ritual | Time |
|---|---|
| Mangala Alati | About 5:00 AM |
| Sakala Dhupa (Morning Bhog) | About 10:00 AM |
| Madhyahna Dhupa (Midday Bhog) | Around 12:30 PM |
| Sandhya Alati | Around sunset (approx.) |
| Bada Singhara (Night Ritual) | Late night (approx.) |
Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.
How to reach Jagannath Temple
By air
Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, is about 60 km away.
By train
Puri Railway Station is about 3 km from the temple.
By road
Frequent buses and taxis run from Bhubaneswar (about 60 km) and Cuttack.
Festivals at Jagannath Temple
- Rath YatraJun/Jul
- Snana PurnimaJun
- Chandan YatraApr/May
- Kartik MonthOct/Nov
Visitor tips
- Dress code
- A dress code is in force: decent traditional clothing is required, and shorts, sleeveless tops and torn jeans are not allowed.
- Entry
- Free entry. Only Hindus are permitted inside the temple. Mobile phones, cameras and leather items are not allowed.
- Leave phones, cameras and leather belts or wallets at your hotel or the shoe and locker stands.
- Taste the Mahaprasad at Ananda Bazaar inside the temple.
- Non-Hindu visitors can view the temple from outside, including from nearby rooftops.
- Book hotels months ahead if visiting during Rath Yatra.
- Use only authorised temple servitors for any special pujas.
Places to visit near Jagannath Temple
- Puri BeachLong sandy beach, about 2 km away
- Gundicha TempleDestination of the Rath Yatra chariots, about 3 km away
- RaghurajpurHeritage crafts village known for Pattachitra paintings, about 14 km away
- Konark Sun TempleUNESCO World Heritage temple, about 35 km away
- Chilika Lake (Satapada)Large lagoon known for dolphins, about 50 km away
Frequently asked questions
Can non-Hindus enter Jagannath Temple Puri?
No. Only Hindus are permitted inside the temple. Others can view it from outside.
When is the Puri Rath Yatra?
It is held every year in June or July, on the second day of the bright fortnight of the month of Ashadha.
Is there a dress code at Jagannath Temple?
Yes, decent traditional clothing is required. Shorts, sleeveless tops and torn jeans are not allowed.
Are mobile phones allowed in Puri Jagannath Temple?
No, mobile phones, cameras and leather items are not permitted inside.
What is Mahaprasad?
It is the food offered to Lord Jagannath, cooked in the temple kitchen and sold to devotees at Ananda Bazaar.
What is the aarti time at Jagannath Temple?
Mangala Alati: About 5:00 AM; Sakala Dhupa (Morning Bhog): About 10:00 AM; Madhyahna Dhupa (Midday Bhog): Around 12:30 PM; Sandhya Alati: Around sunset (approx.); Bada Singhara (Night Ritual): Late night (approx.). Times can change on festivals and special days, so please confirm locally before you go.
What are the Jagannath Temple timings?
Usually open from early morning (about 5:00 AM) until late night, with darshan pausing during rituals. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.
How to reach Jagannath Temple?
By air: Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, is about 60 km away. By train: Puri Railway Station is about 3 km from the temple. By road: Frequent buses and taxis run from Bhubaneswar (about 60 km) and Cuttack.
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