Loknath Temple Puri

Introduction to Loknath Temple Puri

Another famous temple in the pilgrim city Puri is Loknath Temple Puri, dedicated to the principal deity Shiva. Shri Lokanatha Mandira is another name for it. The temple lies on NH 203 and is only 1.5 Km from the world-famous Jagannath Temple Puri. Shaivism is said to be flourished here among other Shiva temples in Odisha.

Legend of the Loknath Temple Puri

The Loknath Temple Puri has many legends behind it. But the most prominent legend is Rama stopped in Puri while traveling to Sri Lanka. He vowed to meet Shiva there. Upon hearing his wish, Shiva offered him a Lingam-shaped pumpkin (Lau or Lauka) in a small village named Sabrapalli. After receiving the pumpkin, Rama established it here. He worshipped with full faith. Hence, the temple's name first was Lauknath, later called Loknath.

The Architecture of Loknath Temple Puri

According to the temple legend, the deity Rama established the temple in the 11th Century AD. Vimana (Main Temple), Jagamohana (Entrance Hall), Nata mandapa (Dancing Hall), and Bhogamndapa (Offering Hall) are the four parts of the temple. The Loknath Temple Puri was built using sandstones. The main temple is 30 feet from the ground level. Marbles covered most of the temple, so pilgrims could not see the detailed architecture. The outer walls of the main temple envelop the images of different deities. Many small temples are inside the main Loknath temple.

The northern-side wall has a carved Shiva-Parvati image. On the eastern wall, there is a Kartikeya image. The southern side wall has a carved image of a four-handed Ganesha. All these side wall images are inside the small temples.

The images of Surya-Narayana and Chandra-Narayana are in a small temple to the left of the inner courtyard. The images of Vishnu, Lakshmi, and several brass idols are in the Satya Narayan temple. A figure of Hanuman is on the right side of the entrance to the inner courtyard.

Loknath temple's compound is about 10 feet below the road level. When climbing down the stairs from the main road, devotees can see a big pond called Parvati Sagara on the right side. Devotees offer food to fish in the pond.

The main deity Shiva Linga blesses his devotees from the innermost chamber of the temple. He is visible to all his devotees once a year. A natural fountain flows on the Sanctum sanctorum, including Linga, throughout the year. The water is collected and preserved. All stored water is bailed out on the Pankoddhar Ekadashi night (3 days before the Shivratri festival). After that moment, the submerged Shiva Linga becomes visible, enabling his thousands of devotees to worship. The flowers, milk, honey, beetle leaves, bilva leaves, and sandal paste offered to the deity throughout the year remain festered in the water creating a special taste. The water smells medicated as a whole. People take the water as Prasad to cure their illnesses.

Loknath's representative image is in the Sri Jagannatha temple, known as Bhandara Loknath. He is the guardian deity of Sri Jagannatha temple's Ratnabhandara (treasure house). Loknath associates with Jagannath in several festivals, like Chandan Yatra, Sital Sasthi, and Sivratri.

Festivals in Loknath Temple Puri

Saranti Somwar Fair is the main festival of the Loknath Temple Puri. Pilgrims believe that worshipping Shiva on this day will eliminate their obstacles and cure diseases. Shivratri is another grand festival of the temple. Devotees across the country assemble here to worship and witness the grand festivities. The temple grandly celebrates other festivals of the deity.

Benefits of Worshipping in Loknath Temple Puri

Devotees believe in and worship Shiva in the Loknath Temple Puri to remove their pain. People who suffer from fatal diseases pray here to receive his divine grace for a cure.