Shankha-kshetra: The Holy Dham at Puri Jagannath

BY: SUN STAFF

Oct 03, 2010 — CANADA (SUN) —

Today we begin a new series, which will run occasionally over the months to come – a survey of the 115 transcendental abodes in Puri Dham. The State of Orissa is divided up into four kshetras which represent the paraphernalia of Lord Visnu: His shankha (conch), chakra (disc), gada (mace) and padma (lotus). Puri Dham, the abode of Lord Jagannath, is known as Shankha-kshetra -- a manifestation of the Lord's conch, while Bhubaneswar is Chakra-kshetra, Jajpura is Gada-kshetra, and Konark is Padma-kshetra.

Puri Shankha-kshetra is depicted as shown in the image above, laid out on a grid matching the shape of a right-handed, or Dakshinavarta-shankha. Within and along the edges of this conch are the 115 transcendental abodes of Puri Dham, being temples, shrines, mathas, tanks, trees, and other sacred sites. The area covers approximately 10 square miles, of which 40% is submerged beneath the sea.

At the center of Shankha-kshetra is the abode of Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhardra, who reside in the ancient temple of Jagannath Puri, on a hillock known as Nilagiri, or the Blue Hill. To the west lies the broad end of the shankha, where Lokanath Temple is situated, one of eight Shiva temples in the Holy Dham.

The cone, or apical end of the shankha points to the east, and another Shiva temple is located there, the Nilakantha Temple. The distance between Lokanath and Nilakantha temples is about two miles.

The conch-like shape of Jagannatha Puri is also said to be comprised of seven concentric folds. The first, the innermost fold, is the kshetra's navel, and this marks the place where the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Jagannath, brother Baladeva and sister Subhadra reside.

Lord Jagannatha's temple has nine gates, eight being in the four directions, along two boundary walls, and one existing in the etheric realm. The enormous wall surrounding the main temple complex is known as Meghanada Pacheri. Many streets, or sahi branch out from the temple, running in all directions and leading to the other 114 tirthas, thirthams, etc. in shankha-kshetra.

Following is a list of the 115 transcendental sites located in Puri Shankha-kshetra. We will hope to uncover detailed information about each one of them in the segments to come.

1.Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra & Sudarsan 2. Khetreswari Vimala 3 Mahalaxmi 4. Uttar Durga 5. Bata Mangala 6. Garuda Stamva 7. Bhoga Mandap 8. Kalpabrukhya 9. Rohini Kunda 10. Bata Ganesh 11. Uchsta Ganapati 12. Sri Saraswati Devi 13. Nabagraha 14. Konark Suryadev 15. Padapadma 16. Yagnyabata 17. Angeswar 18. Indranidevi 19. Khetrapala 20. Swana Vairabi 21. Mukteswari 22. Chstrakali 23. Batamarkandeya 24. Katyayani 25. Gopeewara 26. Beda Kali 27. Pataleswara 28. Bhubaneswari 29. Vaikuntheswara 30. Yagnyaswari 31. Isaneswar 32. Sitaia Devi 33. Pakasala 34. Dakhineswara 35. Kundaleswara 36. Ram Chaitanya Temple 37. Baravai Hanuman 38. Nirmalya Hanuman

39. Alaka Batika 40. Chakra Narayan 41. Rameswar 42. Chaturdhama 43. Kanapata Hanuman 44. Niladri Vihari 45. Bavabyeswara 46. Sialilata 47. Koili Vaikuntha 48. Tapaswi Hanuman 49. Survarnakupa 50. Ananda Bazar 51. Devasnana Mandapa 52. Meghanada Prachira 53. Singhadwara (East gate) 54. Aruna Sthamva 55. Badachhata Math 56. Chhauni Math 57. Pejanala 58. Prahari Hanuman 59. Dakhinadwar (South gate) 60. Durgamadhava 61. Mangaleswari 62. Paschimadwar(West gate) 63. Uttardwar (North gate) 64. Sri Lokanath 65. Rameswara 66. Kandunursingha 67. Kandu Asrama 68. Nikumvilabata 69. Harachandi 70. Chamundeswari 71. Banadurga 72. Basheli 73. Kapalmochana 74. Manikarnika Teertha 75. Ghatamangala 76. Vagabati 77. Markandeswara

78. Markandeya Teertha 79. Saptamatruka 80. Alamba Devi 81. Atharnala 82. Makardhwaj Hanuman 83. Vargavi River 84. Mukteswara 85. Bata Mangala 86. Kapoteswara 87. Vilweswara 88. Siddha Hanuman 89. Indradyumna Teertha 90. Nilakantheswara 91. Adinrusingha 92. Gundicha Mandapa 93. Mausima 94. Marchika Devi 95. Charchika Devi 96. Sodasha Putri 97. Narayani 98. Angirasrama 99. Angirabata 100. Dakhina Kali 101. Ugreswarashrama 102. Swetaganga 103. Muktisila 104. Adisankara Pitha 105. Swargadwara 106. Varahi Devi 107. Shyama Kali 108. Bedi Hanuman 109. Chakra Teertha 110. Chakra Narayan 111. Mahodadhi Tirtha 112. Jagannatha Ballava 113. Kashi Biswanatha 114. Visweswari 115. Narendra Sarovar

Puri Dham
Pata-chitra Temple Painting

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