Gundicha Temple

Overview

Puri is one of the Char Dhams (four most sacred places in India), is a beautiful coastal town in the state of Odisha known at global tourism map for famous Shri Jagannath Temple and Puri Beach along with its proximity to Konark Sun Temple – the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated at the distance of around 65 km from Bhubaneswar – the capital city of Odisha, Puri has different names like Shri Jagannath Puri, Purusottama Puri and the Abode of Lord Jagannath. For those who love to capture traditional temple architecture or want to collect some evidences of rich architectural history of Odisha, Puri is a place to make their dream come true. There are various prime tourist attractions and holy temples in the city and in its surrounding area. Shri Jagannath Puri Temple is a must see place for the followers once in their lives. Constructed in 11th century and is the starting point of the world famous car festival (Rath Yatra) held in the months of June-July. Entry is limited to Hindus. Do lean against the Shani temple and watch the summit of the temple and do savour the temple Mahaprasada.

About The Temple

Gundicha temple is one of the most renowned temples in Puri. Being another sacred place of Puri, this temple is the key segment of the well-known Rath Yatra festival. It is located in the Gundicha square, near Puri bus stand. Next to the Great Jagannath temple, the most important sanctuary of Lord Jagannath is the Sree Gundicha temple, the abode to which Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are driven each on his or her wooden car once in a year, during the car festival. Except for these few days, it is unoccupied, but there is a small establishment of servants by whom it is regularly maintained. It is situated at the other end of the great highway (Badadanda). The distance between the gates of Jagannath temple and the Gundicha temple is exactly 2,688.0696 metres (8,327 feet). Since the deities travel from Jagannath temple to Sree Gundicha temple, the Car Festival of Puri is also known as 'Sree Gundicha Yatra'. The temple built in typical Kalingan style . The temple is sorrounded by a wall and stands in the middle of a garden. The height of the wall is 20 feet and width is 5 feet. The length of the temple is 430 feet. The height of this temple is 75 feet. The temple consists of four parts connected with kitchen rooms by a narrow passage. All the four structures (Vimana, Jagamohana, Natamandapa and Bhogamandapa) bear the traces of several plasterings and are carved in places with obscene figures in mortar. The whole temple is built of light gray sand stone. There is a plain raised seat, 4 feet high and 19 feet long, made of chlorite and this is called the 'Ratnavedi', the throne on which the images are placed when brought to the temple. This temple has two gates. The western gate is the main gate and the eastern side gate. The eastern gate is also known as Nakachana gate. The deities enter to this temple through the west gate and come out by the east gate. The temple is under the care and maintenance of Jagannath Temple Administration, Puri.

About The Deity

The main Deity is Jagannatha.

Legends and Stories

Gundicha Temple has some interesting legends related to it. One legend says that Gundicha was the queen of the King Indradyumna, the legendary founder of the 1st great Jagannath temple. It is because of the deep devotion of the queen Gundicha, Lord Jagannath prefers to pay a visit to her house for nine days during Car Festival. Another Legend says Gundicha Ghar is the house of Lord Krishna’s adoring aunt Gundicha. It is believed that their aunt gives a welcome to the three siblings with a special delicacy made of rice called 'padoapitha'. This rice cake is also known as 'Podapitha' or 'Porapitha'. This temple is regarded as equally holy as Jagannath temple as Lord Jagannth stays here for nine days during the annual car festival.

Festivals

The most awaited festival of Rath Yatra or Car Festival Puri commences on the 06th July, Saturday and Return Car Festival or' Bahuda Jatra' falls on 15th July this year. rathyatra Also known as Chariot Festival or Car festival, this is one of the most awaited Hindu festivals of the state as well as the country.The famous festival that is celebrated usually in the month of June or July commences when the chariots of Lord Jagannath accompanied by his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra are brought out on to the Main Street of Puri known as Bada Danda. The Chariots are then taken to the Shri Gundicha Temple to their aunt’s house where the deities enjoy a nine days stay and are served with sweet pancakes. Chhera pahara is the most famous ritual associated with the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2016. During the festival, the Gajapati King sweeps all around the deities and chariots. He then cleanses the road with a broom (gold-handled) and sprinkles sandalwood water and powder. The custom showcases that in the eyes of Lord Jagannath every devotee is equal be it the king or a commoner. This ritual is held on two days, firstly on the Rath Yatra Puri when the three deities goes to their aunt’s house and lastly on the day when they are ceremoniously brought back to the Puri Temple.

At the Gundicha Temple, the deities stay for a period of nine days and enjoy their vacations at their aunt’s house and have fun all the while. On their way back to the Temple, the deities are offered Poda Pitha when their chariots halt at the Mausi Maa Temple. This sweet is a kind of baked cake that is meant to be consumed by the poor sections only. The celebration and observation of the Puri Rath Yatra Festival date back to the period of the Puranas and the descriptions of the same can be found in Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, and Skanda Purana and Kapila Samhita. The Rath Yatra at Puri is a significant event in the entire state that is witnessed by numerous tourists both foreigners and Indians. During the Rath Yatra, Puri is colored in the most vivid hues of sheer joy & enjoyment and is flocked with devotees who wish to pay their honor to the deities and seek their blessings.

Best time to Visit

During Rathyatra

Best time is between the months of October to November. The weather is pleasant and comforting.

Significance

This temple is believed to be the dwelling place of Lord Krishna's aunt.

Accessibility

There are mini buses run by the state transport department connect Puri with Bhubaneswar while jeeps are available to and from Konark. There are two bus terminuses within the city at Baramunda and opposite Ashok hotel while private buses are also available at the junction of Grand Road and Hospital Road.

Rail

Puri has its own railway station which connects it to cities such as Kolkata, New Delhi, Ahmedabad and Vishakhapatnam while Bhubaneswar (a 1.5 hour drive from Puri) is also connected to most of the major Indian cities. Rajdhani Express connects Delhi with Bhubaneswar in a 25 hour journey. For more information on train timings and schedule, refer to the official website of Indian railways.

Air

The nearest airport is located at Bhubaneswar. Indian Airlines has direct flights to Bhubaneswar from Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai and Vishakhapatnam. From Bhubaneswar, a state transport bus a taxi can be hired to reach Puri.

Address

Sri Jagannath Temple,
Sri Nahar,
Puri,
Odisha 752 001