Puri Chakratirtha is also known as Puri Chakra Narasimha Temple, Chakra Nrusingha Temple and Chakra Narayana Temple. The presiding deities are Abhaya Nrisimha, Chakra Nrisimha and Lakshmi Narasimha. In this temple, a large granite wheel like the Sudarshana Chakra is worshiped with a picture of Narayana. It is the place where the sacred Daru (wood) for the construction of the first idol of Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshana Chakra touched down after floating in the sea and was finally taken by Indradyumna Maharaja. It is also an important site since a sanctuary dedicated to Varuna Deva, Lakshmi’s father or Jagannath’s stepfather has been built according to legends.
- This shrine is near the Sea shore of Puri. It is at a distance of 3 km from Jagannath Temple. Presently, the temple is under Jagannath temple administration.
- The precise date of the construction of the temple is in the 14th century AD during the reign of Ganga.
- The temple is square shape built with dry masonry technique with laterite and sandstone. The temple consists of a pidha vimana and a front portico of the Kalingan order.
- There is a big granite wheel in this temple which is worshiped as Sudarshana Chakra with an image of Narayana in the temple compound.
Chakra Nrusingha Temple Timings: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Puri Chakra Narasimha Temple History:
Local people believe that there was a cyclone in Puri and that the Neelachakra (the wheel at the top of the temple of Jagannath) was moved from its location, crossed the sky and finally fell into Chakratirtha. The ” Daru ” (wooden divine trunk for the creation of deities of the temple of Lord Jagannath during Navakalevara) is also believed to have touched the ground in Chakratirtha for the first time across the sea. Chakratirtha has another spiritual significance since the home of the father of the goddess Mahalaxmi is here.
The temple of Chakratirtha is closely linked to the temple of Sri Jagannath and each year Agnyamala of Sri Jagannath comes to Sri Nrusingha. The Narasimha Janma festival is observed in this temple with great devotion.
Puri Chakratirtha Temple Address:
Chakratirtha Road,
Badasirei,
Puri,
Odisha – 752002
