Gundicha Temple Puri

Introduction to Gundicha Temple, Puri

Gundicha Temple, Puri, is one of the important temples in Puri, Odisha. During Rath Yatra, the deity Jagannath takes rest here. It is the Garden house of Jagannath, as the temple lies in the center of a vast garden. This is the second most sacred place next to Puri Jagannath temple. Gundicha Temple lies in the Gundicha square, near the Puri bus stand. Gundicha Ghar, Gundicha Mandir, and Sree Gundicha Temple are the other names of the temple. The temple is named after the queen of Indradyumna Gundicha.

Legend of Gundicha Temple, Puri

Gundicha Temple, Puri, has lots of legends associated with it. The main legend says King Indradyumna built the Jagannath temple during his rule. Gundicha, the queen of Indradyumna, requested him to build a similar temple. So, the King gave orders to build another temple like the Jagannath temple and named it after his wife. It is said that the King started the Rath Yatra festival at her request, and the deities stayed here for seven days.

Another legend says Gundicha Temple, Puri, is the house of Krishna's aunty, Gundicha. His aunty welcomes Krishna, Balarama, and Subhadra with a special delicacy made of rice called Podo Pitha on their arrival here.

The Architecture of Gundicha Temple, Puri

The Gundicha Maharani, the queen of King Indradyumna, built the temple. The temple is in the typical Kalinga style. A huge beautiful garden around the main temple is the main attraction here. Hence it is called the Garden House of Jagannath. Imposing walls guard the temple. The wall height is 20 feet, and the width is 5 feet. The length of the temple is 430 feet. The height of the temple is 75 feet.

The Gundicha Temple, Puri, comprises four structures connected with the kitchen rooms by a narrow passage. All these four structures, Vimana, Jagamohana, Nata Mandapa, and Bhoga Mandapa, bear traces of plasterings. Light grey sandstone was used to build the entire temple. People can see a plain raised seat of 4 feet in height and 19 feet in length. It is called Ratnavedi, made of chlorite stone. Priests use it as the throne to bring the idols of deities to the temple. There are two gates in the temple. The main gate is in the west direction. The side gate is in the east direction, which has another name known as Nakachana gate. The deities enter the Gundicha Temple, Puri, through the west gate and exit through the east gate. Shri Jagannath Temple Administration, Puri, maintains the temple.

After the nine days of Rath Yatra, no permanent deity is in the temple. So, for the rest of the year, the temple remains empty.

Festivals in Gundicha Temple, Puri

Rath Yatra is the main festival in the temple. On this day, the deities, Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra Devi, leave Jagannath temple for nine days. On the first day, they stroll in the chariot and reach Gundicha temple. They stay in the Gundicha Temple, Puri, for seven days. On the last day, they return home. This journey is called Gundicha Yatra, Nava Dina Yatra, or Ghosa Yatra. It is auspicious to have the darshan of deities during this time, called Adapa Darshana. Every year, Rath Yatra takes place at this temple.

Benefits of Worshipping at Gundicha Temple, Puri

During Jagannath's stay in the temple, the kitchens of Gundicha Temple, Puri, start preparing food to offer the deity. The day of Sandhya Darshan (evening prayers), which is the second last day of the festival, is the most important day to have the darshan of Jagannath.

Hordes of devotees visit the temple to have the darshan of Jagannath and receive Mahaprasad. It consists of rice, dal, vegetables, etc. They firmly believe that his darshan and Mahaprasad will solve all their problems.