Jagannath Temple, Puri

The Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Vishnu, worshipped with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. The Jagannath Temple is one of the Char Dham, the four holiest pilgrimage sites in Hinduism, and its present structure was begun in the 12th century under King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.

The Jagannath Temple is best known for the Rath Yatra each June or July, when the three wooden deities are brought out and pulled through Puri on huge chariots, built new every year, by crowds of hundreds of thousands. The English word juggernaut comes from this festival. The temple's main tower rises about 65 metres, and its kitchen, among the largest in the world, cooks Mahaprasad in clay pots over wood fires for thousands of devotees daily. Entry is restricted to Hindus, so other visitors see the temple from outside or from the roof of the Raghunandan Library opposite the main gate.

What to see

• The main tower and its flag, changed daily by a priest who climbs it
• The Lion Gate on the Grand Road, the main entrance
• The Grand Road, where the chariots are pulled during Rath Yatra
• The Gundicha Temple at the other end of the Grand Road
• Ananda Bazaar inside the complex, where Mahaprasad is sold (Hindus only)
• Swargadwar and Puri beach, a short walk away

What to wear

At the Jagannath Temple dress traditionally: many devotees wear sarees or salwar kameez, and men dhoti or trousers with a shirt, never shorts. Shoes, phones, cameras and leather items must be left outside at the counters. Puri is hot and humid most of the year, so wear breathable cotton. Odisha's own textiles are handwoven ikat: look for Sambalpuri and Bomkai sarees, and the gamchha cotton towel men carry.

Local food to try

The Jagannath Temple's Mahaprasad, rice, dal and vegetables cooked without onion or garlic, is served to Hindu devotees at Ananda Bazaar. Outside, try Odia dishes such as dalma, lentils cooked with vegetables, and pakhala, fermented rice water eaten in summer. Puri is known for khaja, a crisp layered sweet sold near the temple, and chhena poda, baked cottage cheese. The sea front hotels serve fresh fish and prawn curries.

Good to know

• Best time: October to March; Rath Yatra in June or July for the festival
• Hours: daily from about 5am to late night, with closures for rituals
• Entry: free; only Hindus may enter the temple
• Allow 1 to 2 hours; much longer on festival days
• Getting there: about 60 km from Bhubaneswar airport; Puri has a railway station
• Phones, cameras and leather are not permitted inside

Nearby places

The Konark Sun Temple is about 35 km up the coast, and Chilika Lake about 50 km south-west at Satapada. Kolkata's Victoria Memorial is about 500 km north by road or overnight train.