Chakra Narasimha Temple – The important pilgrimage site and shrine near the sea shore of Puri, Odisha (Orissa)

ChakraNarasimhaTemple

Chakra Narasimha Temple in Puri Town

Address:

Chakratirtha Road, Post/Via/Tehsil: Puri, Odisha – Distance from Puri: 3 kms

Approach:

Right side of Chakratirtha Road and about 60.00 mtrs south of Sunara Gauranga Ashrama and 30 mtrs north of sea shore while going ahead from Netajee Subas Bose Chowk to Penthakote, Puri

Date of construction:

The precise date of construction of the temple is in 14th century AD During the Ganga rule.

The Temple:

Chakra Narasimha or Nrusingha Temple: Also known as Chakratirtha is an important pilgrimage site and a shrine near the sea shore of Puri. It is at a distance of 3 kilometers from the Lord Jagannath temple. Presently the ownership of this temple is with Jagannath Temple Administration

It is a square temple built in Dry Masonry building technique with laterite and sandstone. The temple consists of a pidha vimana and a frontal porch of the Kalingan order.

Inside the temple three images of Narasimha of different sizes are worshiped: Abhaya Narasimha, Chakra Narasimha and Lakshmi Narasimha. There is a big wheel of granite at this temple which is worshipped as Sudarshana Chakra along with an image of Narayana in the temple compound. It is also known as a shrine dedicated to Varuna, the father of Goddess Lakshmi. Narasimha Janma festival is observed here with great enthusiasm.

Mythology:

Chakratirtha temple has close association with Jagannath temple of Puri. As per legends this is the place where the sacred Daru (wood) touched the ground after floating in sea. Finally the wood was taken by King Indradyumna for the construction of first idol of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. As already mentioned it is believed to be the dwelling place of Varuna, the father of Goddess Mahalaxmi.