Jagannath temple
Also called: Jagannath temple, Puri, Shri Jagannath temple · Topic: Early Medieval North India: Harsha to the Rajputs · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 4 "Turning Tides: The 11th and 12th Centuries"; Class 8, Ch 3 "The Marathas"
Meaning
The Jagannath temple at Puri in Odisha is dedicated to Jagannatha, a form of Vishnu. The Eastern Ganga king Anantavarman Chodaganga began building it in the 12th century. It is one of India's holiest pilgrimage centres and a fine example of Odisha's temple style. In the 18th century the Marathas held Odisha and supported the temple and its worship.
Example
Every year the Rath Yatra (chariot festival) takes place at Puri. The wooden images of Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra are pulled through the streets in huge chariots by thousands of devotees.
Don't confuse with
- Konark Sun temple: also built by the Eastern Gangas, in the mid-13th century under Narasimhadeva I. It is dedicated to Surya (the Sun god), not Vishnu.
Related concepts
- Agnikula legend
- Paramaras
- Raja Bhoja
- Bhojeshwar temple
- Bhojshala
- Samarangana Sutradhara
- Chandela dynasty
- Khajuraho group of monuments
- Kandariya Mahadeva temple
- Chaulukya dynasty