Gundicha Temple in Puri

The Gundicha Temple in Puri is also known as the Janak Puri. It is so because in the Puranic times, King Indradyaumna performed some of the sacrifices and religious rituals. Pleased with his dedication, the Lords Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshana descended to the earth and appeared before him at the altar. Every year, when the Car festival begins in Puri, these Gods spend 9 days in the temple before they start for their own temple Bada Deula while performing the popular Bahuda Yatra.

The Gundicha Temple in Puri has a Gundicha Ghar. Beside this, the Narasimha temple, the Indradyumna temple and the Indradyumna pond are popular tourist's spots. I n fact, the Indradyumna Sara is considered to be very sacred and is regarded as one of the Panchatirthas.

The temple is extremely popular with tourists and visitors. Also, it is amazing to note that there are plenty of large tortoises here at the Sara and they fearlessly approach the tourists who offer them food with their own hands. Again, there is another legend attached to the tortoises. According to a popular belief, these tortoises were once human beings. In fact, they were the masons who were employed to build this temple. They carried huge stones on their backs and were hence transformed into tortoises. Also, they are the only living witness of the great temple, which was once built by the king. This is why people bow down to these tortoises with immense respect.

The Gundicha temple in Puri is really an amazing place to be in. Steeped in history, the place also offers you a perfect religious atmosphere. Do check in here to enjoy India's rich cultural heritage.