Shree Gundicha Temple, Puri - Hindu temple in Puri - Puri, India

Shree Gundicha Temple is a Hindu temple, situated in the temple town of Puri in the state of Odisha, India. 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. Currently this temple is closed for renovation, it's only Opens during Rath yatra.

Sri Gundicha Temple is the final destination of the annual Sri Jagannath Rath Yatra. While the Sri Jagannath temple is the starting point, there is estimated 2.5 km long Grand Road connecting these two temples. Bhagwan Jagannath, Bhai Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra stay here for nine days. The temple has two main gates. The western entrance of the temple is the main entrance from which Bhagwan Jagannath enters the temple during the Rath Yatra. And the eastern gate is used for departure. The temple is functioning under Shri Jagannath Temple Administration, Puri. Apart from the nine days of the rath yatra. The main attraction of the temple is its huge beautiful garden spread around the main temple, hence it is also called The Garden House of Jagannath. As per mythology, the temple Gundicha based on the name of Indradyumna's queen Gundicha (the legendary builder of the main temple). Rani 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, and is also known as birthplace of these three deities. The temple is always closed throughout the year Except the nine days of Rathyatra.

If you are visiting puri for Shree Jagannath temple then you should visit this temple also. It is 2.6 kilometres from Shree Jagannath temple. Inside this temple there is also a museum . It was renovated in the year 2023 . I visited this temple during Bahuda Yatra and it was decorated very beautifully and outside this temple the Chariot's were looking fabulous. It was very difficult at that time to go inside the temple because of the crowds. But I was able to visit this temple . It is a must visit place in puri.

Gundicha Temple (Odia: gunnddicaa mndir), 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.[1] 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. 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 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from the Shrimandira, the 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 temple architecture[2] 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.[3] The temple is set within a garden,[2] and is known as "God's Summer Garden Retreat" or garden house of Jagannath.[4] The entire complex, including garden, is surrounded by a wall. The sanctum features a plain raised platform (4 feet (1.2 m) high and 19 feet (5.8 m) long) made of chlorite called Ratnavedi, where the deities are placed during the annual festivities.[3] 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.[3] Except for the 9-day Rath Yatra when Jagannath is worshipped in Gundicha temple, the temple remains empty the rest of the year. Tourists can visit the temple after paying an entry fee. Foreigners (prohibited entry in the main temple) are allowed inside this temple during this period.[5] The temple is under the Jagannath Temple Administration, Puri - the governing body of the main temple. A small band of servitors maintain the temple.[3]

I went here for the Rath Yatra with my family, and although we reached by 4 am, we still had to wait for 2 hours for our darshan. It's quite obvious that during Rath Yatra, it's extremely crowded, and during the main darshan, we were simply floating amidst the crowd. The overall experience was beautiful. Being able to touch the soil of Puri was a fulfilling experience.

This is the birthplace of Lord Jagannath. Lord Jagannath comes here every year with his brother, Lord Balabhadra, and sister, Maa Subhadra, for nine days. This is called the Car Festival.

Old temples,everyday around 5-6 pm they used to change the Flag.

Amazing Temple Of Mousi of Kirshna...(Jagannath Puri). Feel so Blessed