For ages Puri has been a prosperous and religious city. The history of Puri goes as back as 7th or 8th century. The city is known for its religious, spiritual, architectural and literal significance since from its origin. The glorified Puri history has left behind a rich cultural and historical legacy.
It evolved as an epicenter of pilgrimage in the 12th century after Shakaracharya getting associated with the city. Vishnu Swami after his visit to Puri has set up the Vishnu Swami Math, Nibarak and Madhavacharya were also fascinated by the spiritual attractions of this holy city and set up their monasteries or mathas. The famous mathematician and the preacher of Visistadaita philosophy, Ramanuja was in Puri in the year 1107 and 1117.
Narasimha Muni a follower of Madhavacharya preached Vaisnavisim in 13th century in Puri. The vaishnavi sect prospered in Puri with the construction of the Purshottam Jagannath temple by Chodaganga. Anargharaghavam Nataka written by Murari Mishra in the 9th century describes Puri to be the abode for Pushottam and soon it started being called as Purshottam Khetra. Puri finds mention in religious texts like Mahabharata, Kurma Purana, Narada Puran, Padma Puran and Skand Purana. Puri is being called by names like Nilanchala, Nilagiri, Niladri, Purusottama Kshetra, Srikshetra, Sankha-Kshetra, Jagannath Kshetra (Dhaam) and Pirisptta, Puri in these texts. It was under Mughal rule between the period of 1592-1751. Till 1816 it enjoyed the status of being the capital of Orissa province.
Niladari Mahodaya a litereray work describes Puri as the dwelling of lord Vishnu on Earth. Adi Shankaracharya has set up his one of four pithas or mathas in Puri called the Govardhan Pitha or Govardhan Matha.
History of the Jagannath Temple Puri
The Jagannath Temple in Puri is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath and located in the coastal town of Puri in the state of Odisha, India.
The legend says that Lord Jagannath was worshipped secretly as Lord Neela Madhava by the tribal king Viswavasu in the deep woods. King Indradyumna wanted to see the deity once and hence sent a Brahmin priest by name Vidyapati to locate Viswavasu’s secret place of worship. Vidyapati married Viswavasu’s daughter to know the secret and after a lot of request his father in law finally took him there blind folded. Vidyapati dropped mustard seeds all on his way and once these seeds germinated he could trace the way and invited King Indradyumna for the long awaited glimpse of the god. But all the efforts of Indradyumna has gone in vain as the lord has vanished from the temple. The king kept a fast utill death on the Mount Neela and later constructed the temple for Lord Vishnu which is the present day Jagannath Temple.
The archeological remains and inscriptions says that the construction of the Jagannath Temple was started during the reign of the Somavamsi King, Yayati. Kalinga king, Anantavarman Chodaganga Dev who belonged to the Ganga Dynasty rebuilt it around 1147 A.D. But it was King Ananga Bhima Deva in 1174 CE who gave the temple its present shape.
Sikh Ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh has offered gold of immnse value to the temple. He has also mentioned in his last will that the famous Kohinoor Diamond should be presented to the glory of the lords of Jagannath Temple, however the annexation of Punjab by Britishers prevailed it from reaching there.
Some archeologists argue that the famous Buddhist Stupa Dantaputra was originally in Puri before being taken to Kandy, Srilanka.
The city of Puri holds beneath itslef many tales of history some legendry and some having archeological evidences. Puri tourism highlights its glorigfied past and you can visualize the traits of all the historical happenings in the vibrant culture of Puri, a city which welcomes tourists from all sects and religion. Visit Puri to get drenched in its shores or to witness its magnificent ‘chariot festival’.
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