Facts your must know about Jagannath temple in Puri

Jagannath Puri Temple in Orissa is one of the holiest Hindu shrines in India and a part of the sacred Char Dham Yatra. It is perhaps one of the only important pilgrimage size where the main deity – the image of lord Jagannath – is worshiped in wooden idol.

Interestingly, this yatra is also the etymological origin of the English word ‘Juggernaut’. During this annual religious event, the three main temple deities are hauled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars.

1. It it observed that the flag located at the top the temple dome always waves in the opposite direction of air flow.

2. A ritual older than many civilizations.

A priest climbs the dome of the temple which stands as tall as a 45 story building and changes the flag everyday Since 1800 years as a part of a ritual. If it is not changed any day, the temple must be shut for the next 18 years.

3.  The colossal Chakra.

The Sudarshan Chakra standing at the top of temple is 20 feet in height and weights a ton. It said to be visible from every corner of the city and it is installed in such a way that it makes you feel that it is facing toward you irrespective of the place you are in.

4. Nobody knows the technique of how the Chakra was installed.

fun fact:  The chakra was brought all way up and installed on the gopuram 2000 years ago. The engineering techniques used at that time still remain as a mystery today.

5. The Sea.

Take any place on earth, on daytime the breeze from sea comes to land and the opposite occurs in the evening but In Puri it is observed to be just the reverse.

6. Nothing flies above the temple. Absolutely nothing!

It is a surprise that nothing flies above the temple. No planes, not even birds. There is no scientific explanation for this yet.

7. The mystery of the Simhadwaram.

There is a ocean near the temple. When you’re entering the Simhadwaram (The main door) of the temple you can clearly hear sound of the ocean, now once you passed the Simhadwaram just take a turn and walk back in the same direction you came. You cannot hear the ocean until you come out of the temple.