Whatever pastime Lord Krishna performs in Goloka Mathura and Dvaraka, He manifests all these pastimes in Puri Dhama.

In Sri Brhad Bhagavatamrtam (2.1.159-163) Srila Sanatana Gosvami describes Puri-dhama:

In Purusottama-ksetra Nilacala, by the shore of the salt-water ocean, the Lord of the universe (Jagannatha) is splendidly manifested in a spiritual form of wood.

“On the northern shore of the ocean, in Purusottama-ksetra, the supremely blissful Personality of Godhead pretends to be made of wood.

The Vishnu Purana explains: In the country of Orissa, in Nilacala in Purusottama-ksetra, the spiritual and blissful Personality of Godhead appears as the wooden Deity named Lord Jagannatha.”

“In Bharata-varsa, in the country of Orissa, in Bhu-svarga, in Purusottama-ksetra, the Lord of the Universe (Jagannatha), who makes the devotees fearless, whose pastimes are like those of a human being, and who grants liberation, appears in a form of wood.”

The Goddess of Fortune personally cooks for Him. When He has eaten, the merciful Lord gives His remnants to His devotees, which even the demigods cannot obtain.”

These remnants, called mahaprasadam, should be eaten without considering who has touched them or from where they were brought. “Oh what a glory of that place! Even an ass there becomes a four-armed resident of Vaikuntha. Anyone who goes there once is never born again.”

Veda-vyasa explains in the Garuda Purana:
“When the demigods in heaven see the people of Jagannath Puri as four-armed residents of Vaikuntha, holding a conch-shell, cakra and lotus in their hands, they faint again and again.”

Jagannatha means The “Lord of The Universe”

The main temple structure is 65 meters(214ft.) high and is build on high ground, which makes it look even larger than what it is. The temple complex is having 10.7 acres.

Jagannatha Temple has the largest kitchen in the world and feeds thousands of devotees every day. 1,00,000 peoples prasadam can be prepared in one day and the kitchen can prepare 2,50,000 people on a festival day.

There are 36 traditional communities who render a specific hereditary service to the deities. The temple has as many as 6,000 priests (Pandas).

There is a wheel on top of the Jagannatha temple that consists of an alloy of eight different metals (Asta Dhatus) known as Nila Cakra (blue wheel), it is 11ft 8in high and has a circumference of about 36ft. On Ekadasi day, a lamp is lit near the wheel. Daily a flag is tied on a mast attached to Nila Cakra.

In front of the main temple, there is pillar of height (11m) called Aruna Stambha. It was brought to Puri during the 18th century from the Sun Temple in Konark. Aruna is the charioteer of the Sun God present on top of the pillar.

Patita Pavana Jagannatha

In the passage room of main gate, there is deity of Lord Jagannatha called Patita Pavana (savior of the most fallen). It can be visible from the road, so the “Non Hindus” can take darshana from outside.

There are four gates to the Jagannatha temple as follows:

These are the main entrances to the Jagannatha temple on the Grand Road –
The Eastern Simha-Dvara (lion Gate)

The Southern Asva Dvara (horse gate)

The Western Vyaghra dvara (tiger gate)

The Northern Hasti dvara (elephant gate)

Inside the Lion Gate, in front of the altar of Lord Jagannatha, is a column called the Garuda Stambha. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu usually saw Lord Jagannatha from a distance from behind this column. Behind this there is a ditch, which was filled with tears of Lord Gauranga and his handprint is melted into the Garuda Stambha.

“Non-Hindus” are strictly prohibited inside the temple But “if one is not allowed to enter the temple, or if he thinks himself unfit to enter the temple, he can look at the wheel from outside the temple, and that is as good as seeing the Deity within.”(Caitanya-caritamrita Madhya Lila 11.195, Purport).

Lord Jagannath, the symbol of universal love and brotherhood is worshipped in the Temple along with brother Baladeva, sister Subhadra, Sudarshan, Madhava, Sridevi and Bhudevi on the Ratnabedi or the bejeuelled platform.

Baisi Pahacha: Inside the temple complex there is are two outer rings of small temples and main temple is at the center. At the outer ring at the main entrance there are steps known as Baisi Pahacha or twenty two steps. Some says this name has come from the term outside steps (Bahya Pavacha).

Great respect is given to these steps because many devotees pass here and the dust of their feet sanctify the steps.

Kalpavata: The Kalpavata-or the thousand year old banyan tree is towards the south side of the temple.

Mukti Mandapa: It is a pillared open hall with 16 pillars; an important seat of learning. Here important decisions regarding conduct of daily worship and festivals are taken.

Rohini Kunda: Located inside Lord Jagannath Temple and in front of Goddess Vimala Temple is the Rohini Kunda. The water of the Kunda is known as ‘Karana Water’ and is sprinkled by devotes for purification. Behind the Rohini Kunda is an image of Bhusanda Kaka (a crow). As per the legend, Bhusanda fell into this tank and got transformed to a form of Vishnu with four hands and holding a conch (sankha), wheel (chakra), lotus (padma) & gada (mace).

Niladri Vihara: If we approach from the western gate we come to the Niladri Vihar- which is an art gallery, showing the pastimes of Lord Jagannatha as well as the 12 incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

Sona Kua: Sona Kua or the Golden Well is near the northern gate (Elephant gate). The water of this well is used to bathe Lord Jagannatha during “Snana-Yatra”.

Koila Vaikuntha: It is located in the western portion of the temple between the outer and inner walls and approachable from the northern gate (Elephant Gate). During ‘Nava-Kalevara’ (new incarnation ceremony), when Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra are newly carved, the old images are buried here.

Ananda Bazaar: After you climb 22 steps (Baisi Pahacha) by the Lion (main) Gate, on the right is Ananda Bazaar, where ‘Maha-Prasada’ is purchased.

Main Temple: In the main temple are Their Lordships Baladeva, Subhadra and Jagannatha who are white, yellow and black respectively. They are seated on the Ratna Singhasan. Devotee can circumambulate the Deities between 8:30 am and 9:30 am.

Mukhasala: Next to the main temple, in a straight line is the hall for audience. There are four doors. The Kalaghata dwara door leads to the sanctorum. The southern door leads out of the temple and the northern door to the Ratna Bhandar (Treasury house).

Nata Mandira: This is a spacious hall, 21m (65 ft) in length and 20m (61 ft) wide. This is where the Garuda Stambha is located, where Sri Chaitanya used to stand. It is believed that the potency of a devotee’s prayers to the Lord is increased when he stands near this sacred pillar.

Bhoga Mandapa: Next to Nata Mandir is this spacious hall, 18m (60 ft) in length and 17m (56 ft) wide. There are sculptures and paintings about Lord Krishna’s pastimes and other stories in this hall. This is where food offerings are made to the Lord.