The Jagannath Temple is situated in Puri, Odisha. The Puri Jagannath Temple's idol has a rich history and deep cultural significance that makes it famous all around the globe. It is also known as the centre of the Jagannath cult. The historic and cultural significance of Puri Jagannath Temple revolves primarily around the Jagannath Lord and Jagannath cult. The Puri Jagannath Temple's history dates back to the 12th century AD, when it was first built and was renovated in the 16th century AD. The height of Jagannath Temple is 65 meters. 

The Jagannath temple is one of the four Char Dham Pilgrims for followers of the Hindu religion. It is also known as the centre for Vaishnavism. The famous annual Rath Yatra is one of the striking activities of the temple. This festival holds deep meaning, especially for the local tribal communities.

Take a look at the details of Jagannath temple location:

• The Jagannath temple is situated in Puri, Odisha, approximately 60 km away from the capital city, Bhubaneswar.

• The temple campus is spread over 37,000 square meters. 

The Jagannath Temple is open to devotees throughout the year. Here is more on Puri Jaggannath temple timings:

• The temple gate for devotees opens at 5:30 AM.

• The temple gate closes for devotees at 9:00 PM.

Note: If you have booked for special rituals or Puja, the timings may be different. 

Planning to Visit the Jagannath Temple? Here’s the best time to visit for a smooth and hassle-free experience:

• October to February

Around this time, the weather is pleasant, making the visit comfortable. You can also explore nearby places during this time.

• June to July

To experience the famous Rath Yatra festival, this is an ideal time. You can immerse yourself in the rich religious atmosphere that pervades the city. 

Note: The city is usually crowded during this time.

• March to May

This time is ideal if you want to visit the temple and explore the city with fewer crowds. Be cautious of the weather, as it may become hot and humid. 

Here are some rituals performed at the Jagannath temple that you might want to participate in:

Visiting the Jagannath Temple does not require you to get a separate registration. Here are your options for darshan at the temple:

Puri Jagannath Temple in Odisha is one of the sacred Hindu temples dedicated to Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu. You will see statues of three deities—Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra—being worshipped in the inner sanctum and given prominence during the yatras held in the temple.

You can catch a flight to the nearest airport at Biju Patnaik Airport, Bhubaneswar to get to the temple. The airport is 56 km away from Puri and is accessible by car or bus. Buses are considered the primary transport mode despite having regular trains to Puri.

How to reach Puri Jagannath Temple from Bhubaneswar Airport?

You can hail a cab or take a local bus to Puri from Bhubaneswar airport—Biju Patnaik airport. A taxi is the fastest way and costs around INR 750-1000 for the trip. As buses are far cheaper to travel and take over an hour to reach the destination, this is also a very convenient mode of transport. OSRTC has three buses that leave from Bhubaneswar to Puri. The fares range from INR 80-100. The buses depart at 3 am, 5.30 am and 7.30 pm.

How to reach Puri Jagannath Temple from Hyderabad?

There is no direct transport to Puri from Hyderabad. You will have to take a flight to Bhubaneswar and then board a bus to Puri or catch a train to Santragachi junction and then board a bus. The distance between Hyderabad and Puri is over 1000 km, and it takes about a day’s worth of travel to reach the destination. Thus, taking a flight, train or bus can be convenient.

Although many private operators provide direct buses from Hyderabad to Bhubaneswar, the fastest bus timings covered is about 20 hours. You can compare and book the travel through redBus.

How to reach Puri Jagannath Temple from Visakhapatnam?

The distance between Visakhapatnam and Puri Jagannath Temple is about 415 km. By car, the journey should take just over 9 hours. However, one direct train to Puri from the city is not operational daily. So, the economical way to travel is to take a bus to Bhubaneswar and then another to Puri, as there are no direct buses to Puri.

Some of the popular routes to Puri temple are listed below:

• Calcutta to Puri
• Bhuvaneshwar to Puri
• Durgapur to Puri
• Bhanjanagar to Puri
• Asansol to Puri
• Cuttack to Puri

There are multiple bus operators running bus services to Puri from various destinations. You can make online bookings to visit the Puri Jagannath Mandir using the redBus app or website, which brings hundreds of bus operators across the country on one platform.

While visiting the temple, there are some considerations you must bear in mind. Take a look at these Do’s and Don’ts in mind:

There are several attraction points near the Jagannath temple to explore. Here are some nearby options:

• Konkarn Sun Temple

The Konkan Sun Temple is a UNESCO Heritage site located around 35 km from Puri, where you can visit to witness intricate architecture. 

• Chilika Lake

The Chilika Lake, located near Puri, is one of Asia's largest water lagoons, offering fun activities such as boat rides and birdwatching.

• Puri Beach

The Puri Beach is located near the Jagannath Temple and is one of the most famous attractions in Puri.

• Sudarshan Craft Museum 

Sudarshan Craft Museum is a great place to explore the local handicrafts and purchase souvenirs/gifts for friends and family.