Explore the World with Abhee: Puri – Lord Jagannath’s land

As the year end was approaching, and we didn’t have any plans for new year. On Dec 19 my husband called us and asked us to fly down to Kolkata where he is currently on deputation so that we can utilize our son’s Christmas Vacation and also will get a chance to see Kolkata together. My son was very excited as he was going to meet his dad after one month. In Hurry burry I packed our bags and left Chennai on Dec 21, 2012 for Kolkata.

Enjoying at airport

Luckily on Dec 20, 2012 we tried tatkal tickets for Puri sitting at home and we were fortunate to got Tatkal tickets available for next day Doronto train to Puri. So on Dec 21, 2012 We quickly got ready as train to Puri was at 2000 hrs. We boarded the Sealdah –Puri Doronto from Kolkata- Sealdah station. The best thing about this train is that, we can reach Puri in this train in just 08 hrs nonstop from Kolkata , also it gives us complete day to enjoy and explore Puri.

2000 Hrs – We boarded the Doronto train (This Doronto train has both 3AC and Sleeper class) from Sealdah Station . The train coach was new, clean and full of passengers travelling to Puri only for Shri Jagannath darshan. At around 2100 hrs we got our Dinner in the train and we all slept at 2200 hrs so that one can easily get up in the morning as the arrival time of train at Puri was 0400 hrs.

SEALDAH PURI TRAIN

0400 hrs – Train reached Puri at 0340 hrs only i.e before time and Coolie came inside to wake everyone up. We got down at station. It was little cold. The temperature displaying at the station was 16 degree. Around 0415 hrs we came out of station and gave call to Dipa Da (Son of one of the Jagannath temple Panda).He was referred by a friend of us as a “All in one , complete resourceful person” in Puri. He told us to wait outside station and within 15 minutes he came to pick us. That’s what we called service. If someone is coming to pick you at a strange place early morning,then I would not hesitate to even pay whatever his service charges for doing all this help.

We were told that he will take you to the different hotels, whichever you like or prefer or whichever Hotel comes under your budget, you can book. We then took the Auto and was following Dipa Da’s bike. He first took us to the Hotel “Sonali” right opposite the Swargdwar (Puri beach), but unfortunately the hotel was full. We also searched few more hotels near to beach but due to weekend all hotel s were booked. At the end we found a room in a Hotel called “OM Hotel”. We paid Rs 100/- to the Auto person. Dipa da left us at the Hotel and asked us to meet him outside the Temple at South gate at 0630 hrs.

Swargdwar Road at 0400 hrs

PURI HOTEL ENTRANCE

0500 Hrs – At 0500 Hrs we entered into the Hotel. This hotel is also sea facing, but we didn’t get the sea facing room. The room was small in size, reasonably good, clean, air cooled with attached toilet but without Geyser and also without room service facility. We took rest for 15-20 minutes. Then we asked one of the staff at the hotel if he can arrange a cup of tea for us. He said that tea and even Hot water can also be arranged but on payment basis. He charged us Rs 5/- for tea and Rs 10/- for a hot water bucket which was quite reasonable. We got ready by 0615 and left for temple again by Auto and charged us Rs 80/- (Charges were informed to us before only, thus no cheating business or overcharging). We were very much worried about how we will do the darshan with our son who is just four years old. Whether we/he will be able to manage in the crowd? We thought of doing Darshan at closing time of temple when we will get less crowd but God has some other plans for us.

Main Temple (Photo taken from a book purchased at Puri)

0630 Hrs – We were greeted by Dipa da at the south gate of temple and he was in a different attire i.e. Panda’s attire and we were shocked to see him as morning he was looking like a smart modern young generation guy and in two hours complete makeover. Good to see him. He asked us to deposit our cell phone, cameras and footwear in a nearby shop. The Shop person charged us Rs 2/- for each pair of footwear and Rs 5/- for each mobile or camera. He asked us to wash our hands and legs and then we entered inside the temple..The dada asked us to pay him Rs 50/- for buying ticket for both of us. There was a long queue and we were bit confused how we will manage to enter in this long queue. There was also rush of Pandas outside the ticket counter. At around 0730 hrs he brought the ticket and asked us to follow him.

Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Jagannath (Photo taken from a book purchased at Puri)

0730 Hrs – We had entered the huge temple. Dipa Da was very nicely protecting us as well as our kid and also another group with an old lady from the crowd and took us near the main Garbh Grah of temple. OMG, Lord Jagannath, Balram ji and Subhadra ji was right in front of us. The idols were huge with height approximately around 2.5 to 3m and one can see the idols from the distance as well. The deities of Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra are made from sacred Neem logs known as Daru Bramha. Depending on the season the deities are adorned in different garbs and jewels. So as we went during winter and that too on Saturday the God was dressed in Black with white piping Sweater and a cute same coloured cap. I was so happy to See Lord Jagannath and that too in such a cute dress. I was actually imagining them as a small baby wearing such a cute woollen cap. So By God grace we got this wonderful darshan, we touched the idols and returned outside the temple by 0830 hrs safely without getting hassled due to crowd.
0830 Hrs – Dipa da then took us to all the main temples inside the Temple complex. One of the Shakti peeth Bimla Devi mataji (Sati mata feet fell here) temple, Ekadasi mata temple , Kanchi Ganpati temple etc. He then took us to the Anna Kshetra where one can donate for Anna Daan. He then explained us about the temple, temple structures and different buildings inside the temple Complex. (Details taken from Wikipedia)
The huge temple complex covers an area of over 400,000 square feet (37,000 m2), and is surrounded by a high fortified wall. This 20 feet (6.1 m) high wall is known as Meghanada Pacheri. Another wall known as kurma bedha surrounds the main temple. With its sculptural richness and fluidity of the Oriya style of temple architecture, it is one of the most magnificent monuments of India. The temple has four distinct sectional structures, namely -

The main temple is a curvilinear temple and crowning the top is the ‘srichakra’ (A eight spoked wheel) of Vishnu. Also known as the “Nilachakra”, it is made out of Ashtadhatu and is considered sacrosanct. Among the existing temples in Orissa, the temple of Shri Jagannath is the highest. The temple tower was built on a raised platform of stone and, rising to 214 feet (65 m) above the inner sanctum where the deities reside, dominates the surrounding landscape. The pyramidal roofs of the surrounding temples and adjoining halls, or mandapas, rise in steps toward the tower like a ridge of mountain peaks.The temple has four entrances. The one on the east side is known as (Singahdwara) Lion Gate. The Singahdwara, which in Sanskrit means The Lion Gate, is one of the four gates to the temple and forms the Main entrance. The Singhadwara is so named because two huge statues of crouching lions exist on either side of the entrance. The gate faces east opening on to the Bada Danda or the Grand Road. The Baisi Pahacha or the flight of twenty two steps leads into the temple complex. Apart from the Singhadwara, which is the main entrance to the temple, there are three other entrances facing north, south and west. They are named after the sculptures of animals guarding them. The other entrances are the Hathidwara or the Elephant Gate, the Vyaghradwara or the Tiger Gate and the Ashwadwara or the Horse Gate.
Thus finishes our Darshan at 0900 hrs and we were out and we had full day with us to explore Puri and around areas. We came back to our Hotel and got ready to explore Bhubaneshwar and Konark.

Main cover page of picture book purchased.

1800 Hrs - In the evening we came out of the Hotel to explore Puri Market and Swargdwar. As regards to Puri Beach I have always seen in television that sand art is generally performed at Puri Beach so I was looking at the beach if I can found any sand art. Unfortunately we did not get to see any sand art on Puri beach. We were walking on the beach and there I saw a board “National Sand Art Festival”. We were so excited and quickly took tickets (Rs 20/- for each person and Rs 15/- for camera).We entered inside and got to see some beautiful art works.