Jagannath Temple Devi Vimala Gundicha Temple Lord Narasimha Purushottama Kshetra - Sea Shore Chakra Teertha Indradyumna Sarovar Markandeya Sarovar Shweta Ganga Sarovar Narendra Sarovar Samudraraja Temple Sage Markandeya (Markandeya Sarovar) Shankaracharya Govardhan Math Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Siddha Bakul Math (Haridas Thakur) Totapuri Ashram
• Krishna: Sri Krishna abides in Purushottama Kshetra (Puri) as Lord Jagannatha (along with Lord Balarama and Devi Subhadra). The Jagannath Temple of Puri was originally built by king Indradyumna. The famous Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannatha is held here every year in Puri. Sri Krishna previously abided in Purushottama Kshetra as Lord Nilamadhava.
- Sri Jagannath - Sri Balarama - Sri Subhadra (main Temple of Lord Jagannath)
- Koili Vaikuntha or Kaivalya Vaikuntha (within Jagannath Temple premises) (Pandavas are said to have buried the body of Sri Krishna here)
- Vat Jagannath Temple (under Kalpa Vat within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Nilmadhav Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Char Dham Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises) (Deities of all four Dhams are established here)
- Khirchora Gopinath Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Gundicha Temple or Yagna Vedi (Near Indradyumna Sarovar) (The place of Ashwamedha Yagna of king Indradyumna) (Named after Gundicha, the queen of king Indradyumna) (opened during Ratha Yatra only when Lord Jagannath stays here for nine days)
- Sakshi Gopal Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Sakshi Gopal Temple (18 km from Jagannath Temple in a place known as Sakshi Gopal)
• Narasimha: Lord Nrisimha was established by sage Narada before king Indradyumna performed Yagnas in Purushottama Kshetra. Thereafter the Image of Lord Jagannath was established.
- Adi Nrisimha Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
• Vishnu: There are many shrines of Lord Vishnu in Puri.
- Satyanarayan Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Ananta Vasudeva Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Shwet Madhav Temple (near Shweta Ganga Sarovar)
- Matsya Madhav Temple (near Shweta Ganga Sarovar)
- Totagopinath Temple
• Rama: Sri Rama is also established within the Jagannath Temple.
- Sri Ramchandra Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
• Devi: Devi abides in Purushottama Kshetra (Puri) as Viraja Kshetra or Utkala Shakti Peetha (identified with Devi Vimala). There are many other temples of Devi in Puri.
- Devi Vimala Temple (Shakti Peetha within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Devi Mahalakshmi Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Devi Bhuvaneshwari Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Devi Vat Mangala or Devi Sarvamangala Temple (under Kalpa Vat within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Devi Bhadrakali Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Shitala Devi Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Ekadasi Devi Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Samudraraja Temple (Samudraraja with Devi Lakshmi)
- Markandeya Sarovar Matrika Temple (near Markandeya Sarovar)
• Shiva: Sage Markandeya established the Markandeya Mahadev Temple (near Markandeya Sarovar) in Purushottama Kshetra (Puri) after getting the vision of Sri Krishna as a child on a Banyan Tree (Kalpa Vata). This puranic event is described in Brahma Purana. There are many other temples of Lord Shiva in Puri.
- Kashi Vishwanth Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Ishaneshwar Mahadev Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Pataleshwar Mahadev Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
• Ganesha: There are shrines of Sri Ganesha within the Jagannath Temple premises.
- Vat Ganesh Temple (under Kalpa Vat within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Kanchi Ganesh Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
• Hanuman: There are shrines of Bhakta Hanuman within the Jagannath Temple premises.
- Barobhai Hanuman Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Kanpata Hanuman Image (within Jagannath Temple premises)
• Surya: There is a shrine of Surya deva within the Jagannath Temple premises.
- Surya Narayan Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
• Navagrahas: There is a shrine of Navagrahas within the Jagannath Temple premises.
- Navagraha Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
• Pancha Teerthas:
(1) Indradyumna Sarovar(King Indradyumna performed the Ashwamedha Yagna in this place; the Sarovar is said to have formed by the hole created by the donated cows of Ashwamedha Yagna and the water libations; Gundicha Temple is near this sarovar)
(2) Rohini Kunda (within Jagannath Temple premises) (A crow got liberated while drinking water from this kunda)
(3) Markandeya Sarovar(Has the Markandeswar Shiva Temple associated with the puranic event of sage Markandeya getting the vision of Sri Krishna as a child on a Banyan Tree and establishing this temple)
(4) Shweta Ganga Sarovar (with temples of Shwet Madhav and Matsya Madhav)
(5) Mahodadhi (Sea)
- Swargadwar (Near the Sea shore is Swargadwar where Lord Brahma and Devas descended to install the first Jagannath Image)
- Chakra Teertha (Near the Sea shore is the Chakra Teertha where king Indradyumna found the Daru or Wood of Lord Jagannath)
- Beri Hanuman Temple (Near the Sea shore is Bhakta Hanuman is bound here by Lord Jagannath to ensure that Sea water does not enter the Temple)
- Samudraraja Temple (Near the Sea shore is the temple of Samudraraja with daughter Mahalakshmi)
• Other Teerthas:
(1) Narendra Sarovar(The Chandan Yatra of Lord Jagannath is held here)
• Sages: Sages associated with Purushottama Kshetra:
○ Markandeya: Sage Markandeya established the Markandeya Mahadev Temple (near Markandeya Sarovar) after getting the vision of Sri Krishna as a child on a Banyan Tree (Kalpa Vata). The puranic event is described in Brahma Purana.
- Markandeya Mahadev Temple (near Markandeya Sarovar)
• Saints: Saints associated with Purushottama Kshetra:
○ Adi Shankaracharya (788 - 820 CE?): Sri Adi Shankaracharya had set up one of his four monasteries in Puri. The monastery is known as Govardhan Math.
- Govardhan Math (Math of Adi Shankaracharya)
○ Haridas Thakur (1450 - ? CE): Sri Haridas Thakur had his Bhajan Kutir in Siddha Bakul Math of Puri. Sri Haridas Thakur used to chant the name of Sri Krishna incessantly under a Bakula Tree which became Siddha Bakul.
- Siddha Bakul Math (Math of Haridas Thakur)
○ Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486 - 1534 CE): Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu spent the last 18 years of his life in Puri when he experienced the ecstasy of Radharani for Sri Krishna.
- Sonar Gauranga Temple (near Chakra Teertha)
- Six-armed Gauranga Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
○ Totapuri (1780 - ? CE): Sri Totapuri was the guru of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. He stayed in Puri for several years where he has an ashram.
- Totapuri Ashram (Ashram of Sri Totapuri)
कदाचित् कालिन्दी_तट_विपिन_सङ्गीत_तरलो मुदाभीरी_नारी_वदन_कमलास्वाद_मधुपः । रमा_शम्भु_ब्रह्मामर_पति_गणेशार्चित_पदो जगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन_पथ_गामी भवतु मे ॥
- Jagannathashtakam - verse 1 (May Jagannath Swami be the center of my vision, wherever my eyes go)
उत्कले नाभिदेशञ्च विरजाक्षेत्रमुच्यते । विमला सा महादेवी जगन्नाथस्तु भैरवः ॥
- Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 13 (Purushottama Kshetra has the Utkala (Viraja Kshetra) Shakti Peetha where the Nabhi of Devi had fallen)
The Jagannath Temple is the center of attraction of Purushottama Kshetra (Puri). It is not a single temple but a temple complex consisting of many smaller temples and shrines. The list of temples within the Jagannath Temple complex are given below:
- Sri Jagannath - Sri Balarama - Sri Subhadra (main Temple of Lord Jagannath)
- Koili Vaikuntha or Kaivalya Vaikuntha (within Jagannath Temple premises) (Pandavas are said to have buried the body of Sri Krishna here)
- Vat Jagannath Temple (under Kalpa Vat within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Nilmadhav Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Char Dham Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises) (Deities of all four Dhams are established here)
- Khirchora Gopinath Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Sakshi Gopal Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Adi Nrisimha Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises) (Lord Nrisimha was established before king Indradyumna performed Yagnas)
- Satyanarayan Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Ananta Vasudeva Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
- Sri Ramchandra Temple (within Jagannath Temple premises)
► Purushottama Kshetra - Adi Nrisimha or Yagna Nrisimha Temple (Puri district, Odisha)
Adi Nrisimha Temple is within the Puri Jagannath Temple premises. This is the Nrisimha which king Indradyumna installed at the place of the Ashwamedha Yagna (Horse Sacrifice). Hence this is also known as Yagna Nrisimha.
• Temples and Places of Devi in Purushottama Kshetra:
• Viraja Kshetra Shakti Peetha: I meditate on the Viraja Kshetra Shakti Peetha where the Nabhi (Navel) of Devi had fallen. The Devi there is known as Vimala and the Bhairava is called Jagannatha. (Peetha Nirnaya Tantra - Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 13)
Devi Vimala Temple is identified with the Viraja Kshetra (Utkala) Shakti Peetha mentioned in the Peetha Nirnaya Tantra. Devi Vimala Temple is within the Puri Jagannath Temple premises.
There are two Devi Mahalakshmi temples in Puri:
1. One is within the Puri Jagannath Temple premises.
2. The other one is near the Sea shore within the Samudraraja Temple.
After the vision, sage Markandeya asked the boon that in the holy place of Purushottama, he wants to build a temple of Lord Shiva for the welfare of the world. That temple will resolve the dispute between the devotees of Lord Shiva and devotees of Lord Vishnu. In that temple, the Lord will be installed as Shankara. People of the world will know that Shiva and Vishnu are essentially the same. The Lord approved this and said that the Linga is the greatest cause. It is for propitiating the Lord and toning down the diversity. When Shiva is installed, the Lord Himself is installed. There is no difference between the two. They are only of two forms externally. He who is Rudra is himself Vishnu. He who is Vishnu is himself Rudra. There is no difference between the two. The Lord told sage Markandeya to build the Shiva temple and to the north of it make a holy reservoir named after the sage (Markandeya Hrada).
◍ Association with Lord Shiva:(Brahma Purana)
• Sage Markandeyasaw the vision of child Krishna on a Holy Banyan Tree (Kalpa Vata) during Pralaya (final dissolution). Sage Markandeya established a Shiva temple after seeing the vision for the welfate of the world and to bring amity between the Vaishnavas and Shaivas.
◍ Pilgrimages:
► Puri - Markandeshwar Temple: Markandeshwar Temple and Markandeya Sarovar was established by sage Markandeya with the blessings of Sri Krishna.
◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Knowledge of Brahman.
• Exponent of the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta.
◍ Compositions:
• Wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras, principal Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita.
• Composed Sanskrit Stotras on various Deities.
◍ Other Deeds:
• Founded four Mutts around the four corners of India.
• Believed to be the organiser of Dashanami monastic order and founder of Shanmata tradition of worship.
◍ Pilgrimages:
► Vadakkunnathan Temple: Parents of Adi Shankara prayed for a child.
► Kaladi: Birthplace of Adi Shankara.
► Omkareshwar - Shankaracharya Gufa: Adi Shankara met his guru Govindapada on the bank of river Narmada.
► Kashi: Lord Shiva gave darshan to Adi Shankara in the form of a Chandala with four dogs. Adi Shankara got disciple Sanandana.
► Badrinath: Adi Shankara wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras, Gita and Upanishads.
► Prayag: Adi Shankara met Kumarila Bhatta (Mimamsa school) for a debate.
► Mahishmati: Adi Shankara had a debate with Mandana Mishra.
► Gokarna: Adi Shankara met disciple Hastamalaka.
► Shringeri - Sharada Peeth: Adi Shankara established the Sharada Peetha (Southern Mutt).
► Puri - Govardhan Mutt: Adi Shankara established the Govardhan Mutt (Eastern Mutt).
► Dwarka - Dwarka Mutt: Adi Shankara established the Dwarka Mutt (Western Mutt).
► Joshimath - Jyotir Math: Adi Shankara established the Jyotir Math (Northern Mutt).
► Kanchipuram - Kanchi Mutt: Adi Shankara is said to have established the Kanchi Mutt also.
► Kashmir - Sharada Peeth: Adi Shankara ascended the Sarvajna Peetham.
► Kedarnath - Shankaracharya Samadhi: Adi Shankara left the earthly abode from here.
◍ Life: Born in Buron, Satkhira district, Bangladesh.
◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Krishna Bhakti.
• Tradition of Gaudiya Vedanta.
• Disciple of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Associated with the Siddha Bakul Math of Puri where he used to chant the name of Sri Krishna incessantly under a Bakula Tree.
◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Krishna Bhakti.
• Pillar of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.
• Popularised the chanting of Hare Krishna Maha Mantra.
◍ Compositions:
• Composed Shikshashtakam (eight devotional prayers on Sri Krishna) in Sanskrit.
◍ Pilgrimages:
► Vraja Bhoomi: Visited Vraja during his pilgrimage and spread devotion of Sri Krishna through his Sankirtans.
► Puri: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu spent the last 18 years of his life in ecstasy.
◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Knowledge of Brahman.
• Tradition of Advaita Vedanta.
• Sri Totapuri was the guru of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. He came to Dakshineshwar Temple in 1864. He stayed in Puri for several years where he has an ashram (Advaita Brahma Ashram).
Preserve Nature and Nature will Preserve Us,
Simplify Life and help Nature Thrive,
Plant Trees and make the Planet Green,
Connect with Earth, Connect with Dharma, Connect with Being.
► Purushottama Kshetra - Jagannath Temple
◍ Life: Born in Buron, Satkhira district, Bangladesh.
◍ Life: Born in Punjab.