Lokanatha Temple, Puri, Odisha
| Date built: | – |
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| Deity: | – |
| Architectural style: | – |
| Major festivals | – |
| Locale: | – |
| District:: | Puri |
| Address: | NH 203, Chandanpur, Odisha 752014 |
| Phone | 09776744099 |
The Loknath Temple of Puri has been put up to pay homage to Lord Shiva. Therefore, this temple of Puri is also referred to as the Shiva temple of the region.
According to popular belief, Lord Rama established this lingam with the help of a pumpkin. This temple of Odisha is supposed to have been established in the 11th century or the 12th century AD.
The believers of the Hindu religion often come to this temple to get a glimpse of Lord Loknath. It is widely believed that he has the power to cure the common people from all types of problems related to health. The Loknath Temple at Puri is located at a distance of about 1 km from another very well reputed temple of the town called the Jagannath Temple.
There are a number of popular mythical stories that are closely associated with this temple. The most well known of all the myths and legends about the Loknath Temple in Puri is related to Lord Rama, one of the most popular epic figures linked with the religion of Hinduism.
Architecture
Legend / Local stories
The Lokanatha temple has four parts such as Vimana (Main Temple), Jagamohana (Entrance Hall), Natamandapa (Dancing Hall) and Bhogamndapa (Offering Hall). This temple is built in sand stones. The maintemple is about 30 feet from the ground level. Most portions of the main temple have been covered with marbles, so the detail architectural features of the main temple are not visible. The outer walls of the maintemple housed images of different Deities. The image of Shiva-Parbati is carved on the northern side wall. There is image of Lord Kartikeya on the eastern side wall. The image of four handed Lord Ganesha is carved on the southern side wall. All these side wall images are housed inside small temples. Many small temples are there inside the premises of Lokanatha temple. There is a small temple to the left of the inner courtyard which preserves images of Surya-Narayana and Candra-Narayana. The Satya-Narayan temple within the premises preserves images of Vishnu, Laksmi and several brass idols. On the right side of the entrance to the inner courtyard you will find a figure of Lord Hanuman. The compound of the Lokanatha temple is about 10 feet below the road level. When one enters the lokanatha temple compound by climbing down the stairs from the main road, will find a big pond (known as ParvatiSagara in local language) at your right side. Devotees wash their hands and feets in this pond before entering into the temple. This pond houses a lot of fishes. Devotees enjoying a lot by offering foods to these fishes.
Lord Lokanatha’s representative image is in the Sri Jagannatha temple, known as BhandaraLokanatha. He is the guardian deity of the Ratnabhandara (treasure house) of Sri Jagannatha temple. Lokanatha is associated with Lord Jagannath in several festivals like Sivaratri, CandanYatra and SitalSasthi. The festival of Shivaratri is observed in the temple of Lokanatha with great devotion. A meeting of Hari and Hara (Siva and Vishnu) takes place on the day. On the Mahashivaratri lot of devotees arrive near the temple to offer their prayer to Lord Lokanatha with great devotion.
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