Jagannath Puri The most prominent temple in India is Jagannath Puri Temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath, which is the avatar of Lord Vishnu. This temple is at Puri, Odisha and is highly significant as a sacred site for all the followers of Hinduism. Thousands of people visit the temple each year, primarily because of its rich architecture and its sacred traditions. It is no less than a tall, impressive 65 meters, spread over an area of 400,000 square feet. Devotees come here for what is called ‘darshan’, which literally means a view of the deities.
The deities the main ones being worshiped here are Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. Opening time is 5:00 AM to 11:30 PM on all days. The specified timings are fixed for various other rituals and darshan also.
Darshan Timings The number of pilgrims is handled by separating the time of darshan into slots. Mangal Aarti occurs at an early 5:00 AM while the main darshans are arranged at several times in the day including Sandhya Aarti that takes place at 8:00 PM. On days like Rath Yatra, sometimes the darshan goes on to see more than 100000 people. There is no entry fee, although special rituals and priority darshan services may attract a charge. The best time to visit the temple is between October and March, when the weather is pleasant.
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TTD Online Darshan Tickets Booking 2025: Timings & Price
Overview of the Jagannath Puri
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Puri, Odisha, India |
| Deity | Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra |
| Timings | 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM |
| Dress Code | Traditional Indian attire |
| Booking Process | Online and Offline |
| Special Events | Rath Yatra, Snana Yatra, Chandan Yatra |
Temple Timings
| Time Slot | Darshan Availability | Key Rituals/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4:30 AM – 5:30 AM | Temple opens, but darshan may be limited until Mangala Aarti. | Dwaraphita (door opening), Mangala Aarti at 5:00 AM. |
| 5:30 AM – 7:30/8:00 AM | Darshan available from Jagamohan (Bhitar Kaatha) after Mangala Aarti. | Devotees can view deities until Besha (adorning deities) is completed. |
| 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM | No Darshan (Gopal Ballava Puja). | Deities are offered breakfast; temple closed for this ritual. |
| 9:15 AM – 11:00 AM | Darshan from Naatamandir (Baahaar Kaatha) until Sakala Dhoopa Puja. | Devotees can view deities from a distance. |
| 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Darshan from Jagamohan until Bhoga Mandap Puja. | Devotees allowed closer view; Mahaprasad available at Aananda Bazaar. |
| 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | No Darshan (Afternoon break). | Temple closes for cleaning and preparation of evening rituals. |
| 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Darshan from Naatamandir and Jagamohan during Madhyanha Dhoopa to Sandhya Alati. | Evening darshan resumes. |
| 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM | Darshan available; includes Sandhya Aarti (6:00 PM) and Sandhya Dhupa (7:00 PM). | Evening rituals; special darshan tickets available. |
| 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Darshan from Jagamohan until Chandan Laagi or Badasinghara Bhoga. | Final darshan of the day; deities prepared for rest. |
| 9:00 PM – 11:30 PM | Limited darshan (varies); temple closes after Khata Seja Lagi & Pahuda (11:30 PM). | Deities retire for the night; darshan may be restricted. |
Important Timings and Dates
| Event | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rath Yatra | July 1, 2024 | 8:00 AM |
| Snana Yatra | June 14, 2024 | 4:00 PM |
| Chandan Yatra | May 5, 2024 | 3:00 PM |
| Daily Aarti | Daily | 6:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 8:00 PM |
| Special Darshan | Every Saturday | 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM |
Dress Code
Inside the Jagannath Puri Temple the devotees must wear formal dress codes are strictly maintained, the devotees should not wear modest clothes and other torn jeans and shirts For males only dhoti and kurta pajama could be worn while saree or salwar kameez is preferred in the female section. No jeans and shorts, no skirts.
This dress code is followed strictly while keeping in mind of the temple both towards the deities and the sacred place. Always plan your visit to the temple accordingly. End.
Accommodation Options
there are two main accommodation options. First, within 100-200 meters of the temple, you’ll find many dharamshalas, like the historic Doodhwala Dharamshala, with non-AC rooms starting at ₹500-₹700, just 100 meters from the temple. Second, sea-facing hotels are 1.5 km away, and you can hire an auto for ₹100 to reach the temple. We chose a sea-facing room 1.5 km from the temple.
Darshan at Jagannath Temple
The temple has four entry gates, with the main one being the East Gate, also called Singh Dwar. The South Gate is used by priests and for taking Bhog Prasad. Mobile phones and electronic devices are not allowed inside deposit them at the nearby locker facility for ₹15-₹20 per device. At the East Gate, you’ll see the Aruna Stambha, a pillar from Konark’s Sun Temple, named after the charioteer of Lord Surya. After circumambulating it and bowing at the East Gate, you’ll get darshan of Lord Jagannath’s idol from the right side. Only Hindu devotees are allowed inside the main temple, but darshan is possible from outside for others.
Significance of the Flag and Neela Chakra
The temple’s flag has three unique features it waves in the opposite direction of the wind. it has three colors (red, yellow, white) and it is changed daily in a 40-45 minute process at great height, which devotees watch with enthusiasm. The Neela Chakra made of eight metals and believed to be Lord Krishna’s Sudarshan Chakra is another highlight. Visible from any angle in Puri as if facing forward, it has remained rust-free for centuries.
According to the Kalyan Tirthank when Narad Muni visited Puri Lord Vishnu mentioned the sea’s noise disturbed his rest. Hanuman split himself into two circling the temple faster than the wind redirecting the sea’s sound outward. This is why the flag waves oppositely, and the ocean’s sound is inaudible at the East Gate, especially in the evening. A Hanuman temple is located just outside the Ashwadwar (South Gate).
Deities and Idols
Inside the sanctum sanctorum you will see Lord Jagannath, Subhadra Ji and Balram Ji. The idols of Jagannath and Balram lack feet while Subhadra’s idol has neither hands nor feet and the brothers’ hands lack claws. Uniquely these idols are made of neem wood unlike stone idols in most Indian temples. Every 12 years the idols are replaced with the chief priest, blindfolded, transferring the Brahma Padarth (a sacred substance) from the old to new idols. In Dwapar Yuga after Lord Krishna’s departure his heart remained alive believed to be the beating Brahma Padarth inside Jagannath’s idol today.
Mahaprasad at Anand Bazar
After darshan visit the Vimala Devi Temple within the complex where Goddess Sati’s navel fell. In Odisha’s unique Durga Madhav tradition food offered to Jagannath is then offered to Vimala Devi becoming Mahaprasad. Available at Anand Bazar from 2:00 PM until the temple closes it includes rice and khichdi (locally called Atka) suitable for fasts or festivals. Devotees often take it home for celebrations. Prepared in seven stacked earthen pots, the top pot (least heated) cooks first and the bottom (most heated) last a centuries-old mystery.
There’s never a shortage or wastage of Mahaprasad. The kitchen visible from the East Gate’s left side can be visited. The Mahaprasad served in clay pots includes satvik dishes like mix veg (with raw banana, parmal, mustard seeds, raw papaya) and sweet cinnamon rice (Kanika) with dry fruits. Dalma, a lentil-vegetable dish is exceptional here. For 3-4 people it costs ₹250-₹300. Chappan Bhog (56 dishes) is offered daily varying by season without oil, garlic, onion or tomato.
Other Temples in the Complex
Within the complex visit the Mahalakshmi and ancient Narsimha temples (upstairs, with a unique idol). Offer wicks to Jagannath for ₹10-₹20. The temple called Shankh Kshetra due to its conch-shaped layout features the Jagmohan with a Garuda pillar where Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s tears formed a crater called Premashrugurt. Free wheelchairs are available for differently abled devotees 100 meters from the temple.
Gundicha Temple and Rath Yatra
After darshan visit the Gundicha Temple significant during the Rath Yatra reachable by auto (₹50). During the Rath Yatra (June, Ashadh Shukla’s second day) Jagannath, Subhadra and Balram’s idols are taken to Gundicha Temple staying for seven days (Adhab Darshan) returning on the 10th day. The festival commemorates Krishna and Balram taking Subhadra on a city tour in Dwarika. Gundicha, also called Brahmlok or Janakpur is where the incomplete idols were made.
In ancient Utkal King Indra Ghuman found a log from the sea and tasked Vishwakarma to carve Vishnu’s idol. Vishwakarma stipulated his workshop remain undisturbed but the king opened it prematurely finding incomplete idols. A divine voice declared they should be worshipped as is. The temple is named after King Narsimha Dev’s wife Gundicha Devi.
Local Cuisine
Odisha’s traditional breakfast includes Dalma (bengal gram with vegetables, part of Mahaprasad) and Chennapoda a cheese-based sweet resembling a crunchy cake. Chenna Malpuas made with cheese and cardamom are soft and tempting. Sweets here are cheese-based due to the hot climate which sours curd. Small carts sell pakodas, upama and other breakfast items. Tea is prepared uniquely on mud structures.
Beaches and Other Sites
Puri’s main beaches Swargadwar and Golden Beach are adjacent on Lighthouse Road lined with sea-view hotels. Swargadwar like Varanasi’s Manikarnika Ghat is where last rites are performed. The evening atmosphere is vibrant with markets. Visit Govardhan Math (Shankaracharya Math), one of Adi Shankaracharya’s four pithas (others in Shringeri, Dwarka, Joshi Math) and Gambhira Math (Radhakant Math), where Chaitanya Mahaprabhu lived for 18 years.