Franolaxy at 18:59, 7 May 2026

2026-05-07T18:59:25Z

New page

{{Short description|Hindu temple in Puri, Odisha, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
|name = Gundicha Temple
|image = File:Gundicha Temple, Puri, Odisha1.JPG
|caption = Gundicha Temple
|map_type = Orissa
|coordinates = {{coord|19|49|00.9|N|85|50|25.3|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|coordinates_footnotes=
|map_caption = Gundicha Temple
|map_size = 250
|native_name = ଗୁଣ୍ଡିଚା ମନ୍ଦିର
|country = [[India]]
|state = [[Odisha]]
|district = [[Puri]]
|locale = Badashankha
|elevation_m =
|elevation_footnotes =
|deity = [[Jagannath]]
|festivals = [[Rath Yatra]]
|temple_quantity = One
|monument_quantity =
|inscriptions =
|established =
|creator =
|temple_board = Shri Jagannath Temple Administration, Puri
|website = {{URL|http://www.jagannath.nic.in/}}
}}
{{Vaishnavism}}
'''Gundicha Temple''' ({{langx|or|ଗୁଣ୍ଡିଚା ମନ୍ଦିର}}), is a [[Hindu temple]], situated in the temple town of [[Puri]] in the state of [[Odisha]], [[India]]. It is significant for being the destination of the celebrated annual [[Rath Yatra]] of [[Puri]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://epaper.thestatesman.com/m5/3725372/Dainik-Statesman/28TH-JUNE-2023|title=পুরীধাম ও জগন্নাথদেবের ব্রহ্মরূপ বৃত্তান্ত|page=4|language=bn|date=28 June 2023|access-date=28 June 2023|website=dainikstatesmannews.com|publisher=[[Dainik Statesman]] (The Statesman Group)|location=Kolkata|first=Yogabrata|last=Chakraborty|trans-title=Puridham and the tale of lord Jagannath's legendary 'Bramharup'|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628053933/https://epaper.thestatesman.com/m5/3725372/Dainik-Statesman/28TH-JUNE-2023#page/1/1|archive-date=28 June 2023|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> While it remains vacant most of the year, the temple is occupied by images of the deities of Jagannath, his brother [[Balabhadra]] and sister [[Subhadra]] for seven complete days (total 9 days including the start and concluding day of Ratha Yatra) every year during the annual [[Rath Yatra]] festival.

==Temple==
Known as the Garden House of [[Jagannath]], the Gundicha temple stands in the centre of a beautiful garden, surrounded by compound walls on all sides. It lies at a distance of about {{convert|3|km}} from the ''Shrimandira'', the [[Jagannath Temple (Puri)|main temple]] of Jagannath. The two temples are located at the two ends of the ''Bada Danda'' (Grand Avenue) which is the pathway for the Rath Yatra.

The temple is built using light-grey [[sandstone]] and architecturally, it exemplifies typical [[Kalinga architecture|Kalinga]] temple architecture<ref name = "gov"/> in the ''[[Deula]]'' style. The complex comprises four components: [[vimana]] (tower structure containing the sanctum), [[jagamohana]] (assembly hall), nata-[[mandapa]] (festival hall) and ''bhoga-mandapa'' (hall of offerings). There is also a kitchen connected by a small passage.<ref name="shree"/> The temple is set within a garden,<ref name = "gov"/> and is known as "God's Summer Garden Retreat" or garden house of Jagannath.<ref name= "Sehgal1999">{{cite book|last= Sehgal |first= Sunil |title= Encyclopaedia of Hinduism, Volume 4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sDmwCcLza2AC&pg=PA1077|access-date=4 December 2012|year=1999|publisher= Sarup & Sons|isbn=9788176250641|page=1077}}</ref> The entire complex, including garden, is surrounded by a wall.

The sanctum features a plain raised platform ({{convert|4|ft}} high and {{convert|19|ft}} long) made of [[Chlorite group|chlorite]] called ''Ratnavedi'', where the deities are placed during the annual festivities.<ref name="shree"/> The temple has two gates. The western gate is the main temple gate, through which the deities enter the temple during Ratha Yatra. The eastern gate, known as ''Nakachana'' gate, is used for the departure of the deities.<ref name="shree"/>

Except for the 9-day Rath Yatra when Jagannath is worshipped in Gundicha temple, the temple remains empty the rest of the year. Tourists don't have to pay any fee to enter the temple, it's considered that Lord Jagannath ensures all of his devotees equally. There is no rich or poor inside the temple.All have to follow the same rule either it be a common man or a president. Foreigners (prohibited entry in the main temple) are allowed inside this temple during this period.<ref>{{cite news|last=Panda|first=Namita|title=Ready for the Trinity|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120622/jsp/odisha/story_15644438.jsp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130208194758/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120622/jsp/odisha/story_15644438.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 February 2013|access-date=4 December 2012|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=22 June 2012}}</ref> The temple is under the Jagannath Temple Administration, Puri - the governing body of the main temple. A small band of servitors maintain the temple.<ref name="shree"/>

==The Rath Yatra==
The Rath Yatra starts on the second lunar day (''[[dwitiya]]'') the bright fortnight (''[[shukla paksha]]'') of the [[Hindu month]] of [[Ashadha]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Panda|first=Swarnaprava|title=Rathayatra of Puri|journal=Orissa Review|date=July 2006|pages=25–27|url=http://orissa.gov.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/july2006/engpdf/25-27.pdf|access-date=4 December 2012}}</ref> One day before the Ratha Yatra, the Gundicha Temple is religiously cleansed for housing the gods.<ref name=Jagannath/><ref name= "Sharma2008">{{cite book|last= Sharma |first= Dr. Shiv |title=O India - A Travel Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=COHI7LlpkSAC&q=Architecture+of+Gundicha+Temple&pg=PA326|access-date=4 December 2012|year=2008|publisher= Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd |pages=327|isbn= 9788128400674 }}</ref>

On the first day of the yatra, the deities are transported in chariots from the main temple to Gundicha temple. This is the famous Rath Yatra or Chariot Festival of Jagannath Puri. The three deities are transported in three magnificent chariots, drawn by the numerous devotees gathered there. The three chariots involved in the chariot procession are: one for each deity with central chariot called the ''Nandighosha'', carrying the main deity of Jagannath and the second chariot known as ''Taladhwaja'' carrying Balabhadra, and the third chariot called the ''Darpadalana'' carrying Subhadra. The procession progresses down the 3 km long "Bada Danda" (long avenue) and reaches the gates of the Gundicha temple before nightfall. The deities remain in the chariots on the first day and enter the Gundicha Temple on the second day. They reside at the Gundicha temple for the subsequent seven days.<ref name=Jagannath>{{Cite web|url=http://odisha.gov.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/2013/jul/engpdf/87-89.pdf|title=The Car Festival of Lord Jagannath, Unique in many respect|access-date=4 December 2012|publisher=Official Website of Government of Odisha|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104000727/http://odisha.gov.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/2013/jul/engpdf/87-89.pdf|archive-date=4 November 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://www.shreekhetra.com/temples2.html details of the temple]</ref>

==Ratha Yatra rituals==
;Worship
A particular feature in the worship of the deities at Gundicha Temple is that Brahmin temple servants offer the puja instead of ''daita''s, the traditional non-Brahmin servitors of Jagannath who are excluded from worship. Though ''devadasis'' generally function as agents of Lakshmi, they offer worship in the Gundicha Temple in the same manner as in the main temple, while Lakshmi is left behind in a storeroom in the main temple. This connotes a different context to the role of the ''devadasis'' in the Gundicha Temple. Another unusual feature is that the images are smeared with larger quantities of [[sandalwood]] paste, twice a day, as a "cooling agent" (as is commonly done to the goddess Gundicha).<ref name="Carman 1985">{{cite book|last1= Carman |first1= John B. |last2= Marglin |first2= Frédérique Apffel |title= Purity and Auspiciousness in Indian Society |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=GXDV4vVT15IC&pg=PA77|year=1985|publisher= BRILL|isbn=9789004077898|page=77}}</ref> Every day of their stay in the temple, the deities are decorated with new dresses.<ref name="Sharma2008"/>

;Hera Panchami
[[File:Rath Yatra Puri 2007 11071 crop.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Nandighosha, the Chariot of Jagannath leaves the main temple.]]
A major ceremony celebrated in the Gundicha Temple during the Rath Yatra is on the [[Panchami]] (5th day of the Ratha Yatra) known as ''Hera Panchami'' (''Hera'' means "to see").<ref name= Telegraph>{{cite news|title=Lakshmi anger rocks Gundicha temple|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120626/jsp/odisha/story_15655745.jsp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203122310/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120626/jsp/odisha/story_15655745.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 3, 2013|access-date=4 December 2012|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=June 26, 2012}}</ref> This ceremony is attended by a very large number of devotees, who visit the Ratha Yatra Festival. While Jagannath visits Gundicha temple, his wife [[Lakshmi]] is left behind in the main temple of Puri. On Hera Panchami, the furious goddess Lakshmi arrives, in the form of the image of Subarna Mahalakshmi, at the Gundicha Temple. She is formally carried in a palanquin with much fan fare and welcomed and worshipped by the priests of Gundicha Temple, who take her to the sanctum to meet Jagannath. The husband and wife seat face-to-face on the porch in the sanctum of the Gundicha Temple; on this occasion devotees flock to the temple to have the [[Darśana|darshan]] (see the holy images). Lakshmi requests him to return home and Jagannath gives his consent by offering her ''agyan mala'' (a garland of consent), which the goddess accepts and takes with her while return to the main temple in the evening. Before returning to the temple, to vent her anger at being left out of the vacation, Lakshmi orders one of her attendants to damage a part of Jagannath's chariot, the ''Nandighosha''. This ritual is known as the ''Ratha Bhanga'' (the breaking of the chariot).<ref name =Telegraph/><ref name=Srimandir>{{cite journal|last=Kanungo|first=Siddharth|title=The car festival of Lord Jagannath unique in many respect|journal=Srimandir|pages=61|url=http://orissa.gov.in/e-magazine/Srimandir/srimandirenglish/Epdf/Ech16.pdf|access-date=4 December 2012}}</ref> This is followed by her hiding behind a [[tamarind]] tree outside the Gundicha Temple. After some time, she escapes to her home temple in secrecy, through a separate path way known as ''Hera Gohri'' Lane, as she fears the repercussions of her angry act.<ref name = Telegraph/><ref name=Srimandir/>

;Dakshina Moda
The ceremony of ''Dakshina Moda'' (turning south) is observed on the day after ''Hera Panchami'', that is, the sixth day of the Rath Yatra. The chariots of the deities are parked outside the temple, facing the main temple gate (western gate). In preparation for the return journey, the ''Bahuda Yatra'', the chariots are turned to face towards the main temple in the southern direction and are parked near the ''Nakachana'' gate (eastern gate) of the Gundicha Temple through which the deities leave the temple. It is said that the demon-king of Lanka, [[Vibhishana]] got darshan of Jagannath from far away [[Lanka]] on this day. Devotees believe one can attain salvation by witnessing this ceremony.<ref name="Dakshina">{{cite news|title=Holiday high at aunt's abode|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120627/jsp/odisha/story_15660530.jsp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203135634/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120627/jsp/odisha/story_15660530.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 February 2013|access-date=4 December 2012|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=27 June 2012}}</ref>

;Rasa Lila
''Dakshina Moda'', marks the beginning of the three-day [[Rasa Lila]] of Jagannath.<ref name="Dakshina"/> Rasa lila is described in Hindu texts like the ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'' and ''[[Gita Govinda]]'' as a night in [[Vrindavan]] when Krishna danced with his gopi-consort Radha and other gopis. The image of Jagannath is taken to the Rasa [[mandapa]] (a temple hall) of the Gundicha Temple where hymns from the ''Gita Govinda'' are sung for the last 3 days of his stay in the temple. During the Rasa Lila, the interaction between Jagannath-Krishna and the gopis is enacted through the ''Gita Govinda'' verses. In the olden days, [[Devadasi]]s sang the verses, which are now sung by the temple servitors. Vaishnavas thus consider Gundicha Temple as Vrindavan during Jagannath's stay there.<ref>{{cite book|last=Ghosh|first=Pika|title=Temple To Love: Architecture And Devotion In Seventeenth-Century Bengal|year=2005|publisher=Indiana University Press|pages=49|isbn=0253344875|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yiTSsaOd0xkC&q=gundica&pg=PA49}}</ref>

;Sandhya Darshan and Mahaprasad
As per tradition, during Jagannath's stay in Gundicha temple, the kitchens of the main temple stop preparing [[Mahaprasad (Jagannath Temple)|Mahaprasad]] (food offered to deity and given to a devotee as the deity's blessing). The Mahaprasad consists of rice, [[dal]], vegetables etc. The kitchens of the Gundicha temple are repaired and food is cooked there to offer to Jagannath. The day of Sandhya Darshan, (evening prayers) the second last day of the festival, is considered the most important day to have darshan of Jagannath. On this day, as thousands of devotees throng the temple to have ''darshan'' of Jagannath and partake of Mahaprasad.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mohanty|first=Subhashish|title=Lord's food served at Gundicha|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110707/jsp/orissa/story_14207420.jsp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203120559/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110707/jsp/orissa/story_14207420.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 February 2013|access-date=4 December 2012|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=7 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sandhya darshan: Lakhs throng Gundicha temple|url=http://newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/article553976.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095728/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/article553976.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 March 2016|access-date=4 December 2012|newspaper=The New Indian Express|date=29 June 2012}}</ref>

;Bahuda Yatra
[[File:Gundicha temple puri.JPG|thumb|The Nakachana Gate of the Gundicha Temple]]
The return journey of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra to the main temple, after spending seven days in the Gundicha temple, is known as the ''Bahuda Yatra''.<ref name="Public Trust of India">{{cite web|title=Lords Leave Sri Gundicha Temple As Chariots Start Rolling|url=http://www.publictrustofindia.com/inner.php?nid=4542|publisher=Public Trust of India|access-date=4 December 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201015026/http://www.publictrustofindia.com/inner.php?nid=4542|archive-date=1 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The images of the deities are brought out of the Gundicha temple through the Nakachana Gate during the ''Pahandi'' ceremony, to the accompaniment of the beats of [[cymbals]] and [[gongs]] and the sound of [[Shankha|conch]]es being blown.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mohapatra|first=Debabrata|title=Bahuda Yatra euphoria smothers terror threat|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Bahuda-Yatra-euphoria-smothers-terror-threat/articleshow/14509135.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526134639/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-29/bhubaneswar/32471778_1_gundicha-temple-return-car-festival-lord-jagannath|url-status=live|archive-date=26 May 2013|access-date=4 December 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=29 June 2012}}</ref> [[Odissi]] and [[Gotipua]] dancers serenade to the tune of music in front of the chariots, and martial artists perform ''banati'', a traditional martial art in front of the deities. The deities are taken in the same chariots in which they arrive, pulled by devotees back to the main temple. It is considered auspicious to get a glimpse of the deities on their chariots.<ref name="Public Trust of India"/>

==Legends==
[[File:Puri-gundica-mandir.jpg|thumb|The Main Gate of the Gundicha Temple]]

There are many legends linked to the temple and the annual seven-day stay of the central icons of Jagannath and his siblings during the Ratha Yatra.

A legend links the temple to Gundicha, the queen of [[Indradyumna]] (the legendary builder of the main temple) - after whom the Gundicha Temple is named. Gundicha had a peep at the divine image of Jagannath being created by the celestial architect [[Vishwakarma]]. Impressed by the image, she insisted on her husband building the temple for the deity and starting the [[Ratha Yatra]]. Another variant suggests that Jagannath was pleased with her temple and promised to visit her house, now the Gundicha Temple.<ref name = "gov">{{cite web |url=http://orissa.gov.in/tourism/sonepur.htm |title= Tourism in Sonepur}}</ref><ref name="shree">[http://www.shreekhetra.com/sreegundicha.html Shree Kshestra]</ref><ref name= "Ghosh2005"/>

As per another legend, when Jagannath (identified with the god [[Krishna]]) goes to stay for seven days in the Gundicha Temple, he intentionally leaves behind his consort [[Lakshmi]] locked up in a store room in the main [[Jagannath Temple, Puri|Jagannath Temple]]. While in the Gundicha temple, he is exclusively taken care by his [[gopis]] (cow-herding girls) led by his gopi-lover [[Radha]] like Krishna in [[Vrindavan]]. The gopis are symbolized by the temple [[devadasi]]s on this occasion. When Jagannatha returns to his main temple after his amorous dalliance, Lakshmi meets him at the main temple gate and sprinkles some magical powder on him, which makes him forget about his escapade in the Gundicha Temple, and she is immediately reunited with her husband in blissful love.<ref name= "Ghosh2005">{{cite book|last= Ghosh |first= Pika |title= Temple To Love: Architecture And Devotion In Seventeenth-Century Bengal
|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=yiTSsaOd0xkC&pg=PA49|year=2005|publisher= Indiana University Press|isbn=9780253344878|pages=49–50}}</ref>

One more legend relates the temple's name ''Gundicha'' to a local goddess Gundicha, akin to [[Durga]], worshipped to cure [[smallpox]]. ''Gundi'' in [[Oriya language|Oriya]] means smallpox, Gundicha is considered Krishna-Jagannath's aunt, which he visits with his siblings annually.<ref name="shree"/>

Another legend is about the mysterious disappearance of [[Chaitanya Mahaprabhu]] (an incarnation of [[Krishna]] according to the [[Bhavishya Purana]]). He established [[Gaudiya Vaishnavism]] and also known to have composed the Jagannath Astakam. He lived in Puri for many years and sang [[bhajan]]s (devotional songs) and led ''[[sankirtan]]'' processions in front of Jagannath during his [[Chandan Yatra]] and Ratha Yatra, along with many devotees. It is also said that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu used to go into a rapturous mood watching the god's love play and dance with joy and also fainted many times due to emotion. Daily, he prayed to Jagannath, standing behind the ''garudastamba'' (Pillar of [[Garuda]]) with tears flowing down his eyes. With permission of the king, [[Chaitanya Mahaprabhu]] once undertook the task of cleaning the Gundicha temple premises a day before the Ratha yatra (this tradition is followed even to this day by the followers of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism). It is mentioned that once Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, unnoticed by his attendants, walked towards the Gundicha Temple and was last seen entering the ''Manikotha'', thereafter he was never seen again. This disappearance has remained an unexplained mystery as none of the books written on him have recorded this event. It is believed that he merged with Jagannath at the temple.<ref name= "Ghosh2005"/>

==See also==
* [[Jagannath Temple, Puri]]
* [[Ratha Yatra (Puri)]]
* [[Sevayat]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150723174947/http://purinabakalebara.com/ About Nabakalebara puri 2015]
* [http://myodia.com/category/odisha-cultures Odisha Cultures]
* [http://myodia.com/category/famous-temples-in-odisha Temples in Odisha]
* [http://myodia.com/category/festvals-of-odisha Odisha Festivals]

{{Jagannath|state=expanded}}
{{Hindu temples in Odisha}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Puri]]
[[Category:Jagannath temples]]
[[Category:List of Jagannath temples outside puri]]
[[Category:Odia culture]]

Gundicha Temple - Revision history

Franolaxy at 18:59, 7 May 2026