Puri is one of the most fabulous places to enjoy the vacations and also seek blessings of Lord Jagannatha. Apart from the main Shree Temple, there are number of other temples that hold special significance and one such temple is Gundicha Temple, and is also known as Garden House of Lord Jagannatha.
This temple is located at the end of Grand road about three km north east of Jagannth temple and is marvellous piece of architecture with intricately carved structure all over in light-grey snadstone.
Relation to Lord Jagannath and Rath Yatra
It is during the Rath Yatra, that this temple becomes the centre of attraction as Lord stays in this temple for 7 days during Rath Yatra time. For rest of the year, the temple remains empty and can be visited by tourists.
Gundicha Mandira is also called the “birthplace” of Jaganantha Swami because here on a special platform called the mahavedi, a celestial carpenter carved the daru that manifested the Deities of Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra during the reign of King lndradyumna. This temple is named after King Indradyumna’s wife, Gundicha Maharani. In this area King Indradyumna performed one thousand ashvamedha yajnas.
During Ratha Yatra, Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva and Subhadra Devi, along with Sudarsana, leave Jagannath Mandira for nine days: one day for traveling to Gundicha, seven days spent there, and one day to return home. This Journey is known as to Gundicha Yatra, Nava Dina Yatra (“nine days Journey”), or Ghosa Yatra. It is most auspicious to have darshana of Lord during this time. Every year the Rathayatra culminates at this temple which is surrounded by lush gardens and tall cooling coconut trees. Fragrant flowers and shady trees create a Vrindavan atmosphere which Lord Jaganantha enjoys for 7 days before returning to Sri Mandira.
The cleansing of the Gundicha Temple – Gundicha-marjana – takes place the day before the Rathayatra festival as mentioned in Chaitanya-Charitamrita. Darshan of Jagannatha during His stay at Gundicha temple is known as Adapa Darshana. It is said in scripture that darshan of the Lord Jagannatha at Gundicha temple is equal to ten darshan at Nilachala Temple (main temple).
The place where Gundicha temple is situated is known as Sundarachala. Sundarahcala is compared to Vrindavana, and Nilachala, where Jagannatha recides, is compared to Dvaraka. During Ratha Yatra, Lord Jagannatha comes to Vrindavana, as the devotees are in the mood of residents of Vrindavana, begging the Lord to return with them.
Goddess Gundi
Some folklore suggests that main deity of the temple is Goddess Gundi, an avatar of Goddess Durga, who cures chicken pox.
Apart from these legends, there are few versions as well. Whatever the story may lie behind, but today the fact is that Gundicha Temple is one of the major attractions in Puri and also a must visit.
For more such interesting places and legends, stay tuned with Hotel Holiday Resort – visit us at www.puriholidayresort.com
