5/5 Deepak H. 5 years ago on Google
The
principal
attraction
of
Puri,
a
coastal
town
in
Odisha
,India,
is
the
Jagannath
Temple,famous
for
Chariot
Festival
.
It
is
an
important
pilgrimage
center
for
the
Hindus.
Pilgrims
/
tourists
from
all
over
the
world
thronged
here
throughout
the
year
not
only
for
the
Jagannath
Temple,
but
for
the
golden
sandy
sea
beach
also.
There
are
lot
things
to
do
in
Puri.
Other
shrines
worth
seeing
include
Gundicha,
Loknath,
Sonar
Gouranga,
Siddha
Bakul,
Radhakanta
Math,
Chakrathirtha
etc.
The
temple
of
Shree
Loknath
is
situated
just
2.5km
to
the
west
of
Lord
Jagannath
Temple
of
Puri.
You
will
get
regular
buses
either
from
Rly
way
station
or
from
Swargadwar
frequently
to
visit
the
temple.
You
will
get
down
at
the
last
stop
to
reach
there
by
a
short
walking.
Shree
Lokanath
Temple
dedicated
to
Lord
Shiva,
a
reputed
Shaiva
Peeth
in
Odisha.
The
architecture
of
the
temple
is
Odisha
tradition
with
four
parts
as
Vimna
(
the
main
temple),
Jagmohan
(
entrance
hall
),
Natamandir
(
the
dancing
hall)
&
the
Bhogmandapa
(
offering
hall).
The
outer
walls
are
are
housed
with
the
images
of
Shiva
Parvati,
Lord
Kartikeya,
Lord
Ganesha,
The
innermost
chamber
of
the
temple
houses
a
Shiva
Linga,
the
presiding
deity.
This
lingam
can
only
be
viewed
only
once
in
a
year
as
it
is
under
water
throughout
the
year
by
a
natural
fountain.
Only
3
days
before
the
Shivaratri
festival,
the
water
is
drained
out
&
the
lingam
is
visible.
This
time
thousands
of
devotees
assembled
there
to
worship
the
deity.
Lord
Loknath
is
closely
linked
with
the
temple
of
Lord
Jagannath
as
He
is
the
guardian
deity
of
the
Ratnabhandara
(
treasure
house
)
in
Puri
temple,
is
associated
with
several
festivals
in
Jagannath
temple.
Legend-
A
popular
legend
goes
as-
This
temple
was
founded
by
Lord
Ramchandra
,
who
on
his
way
to
Sri
Lanka
in
search
of
Sita,
his
wife,
eloped
by
Ravana,
Lord
Ramchandra
vowed
that
he
shall
meet
Shiva
there
.
At
that
time
the
local
native
of
the
place
,
the
Shavars,
presented
Ramchandra,
a
lau
or
a
Lauka
(
Pumkin,
a
kind
of
vegetable)
looking
like
a
Shiva
Lingam.
Lord
Ramchandra
installed
that
as
a
replica
of
shiva
linga
there
&
started
to
pray
Shiva
so
that
he
can
fulfill
his
desire.
From
that
day
the
Shiva
Lingam
was
called
Laukanath
that
became
known
as
Loknath
in
course
of
time.
The
temple
premises
are
about
10ft
down
the
road
level.
You
are
to
climb
the
stairs
to
reach
the
temple.compound.When
you
enter
the
temple
compound
by
climbing
down
the
stairs,
you
will
find
a
pond
called
β
Parvati
Sagarβin
your
right
side.
You
are
to
wash
your
hands
&
feet
in
this
pond
before
entering
the
temple.
You
will
also
find
a
lot
of
fish
waiting
for
food
from
you.
You
will
also
come
across
cows
loitering
in
the
temple
compound
&
they
are
very
obstinate
until
&
unless
you
provide
bananas
to
them
&
then
they
let
you
go.
The
added
attraction
on
the
way
to
the
temple
is
the
light
house
on
the
way
near
the
sea.
You
can
get
down
from
bus
&
enjoy
the
ascent
to
the
light
house.Only
the
Hindus
are
allowed
to
enter.
2 people found this review helpful π