Learn from Jagannath Temple, Puri - 13 Interesting Facts

13 interesting facts about Jagannath Temple of Puri, Odisha, India: The Puri Jagannath Temple is a religious place for Hindus. It was built in the tenth century by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga dynasties. There are 13 amazing information about the temple:

a) The peak structure of Puri Jagannath Temple with wheel and flag is amazing. The idol of god and goddess are made up of Neem wood that is only one shell.

b) The flag located at the top of the temple dome always flaps in the opposite direction of air.

c) One can feel that the Sudarshan Charka (at top of Temple) is always facing towards him irrespective of the place he is in.

d) The Mahaprasad of God Jagannath is cooked using firewood and in seven pots arranged one top of the other. Amazingly, the top most pot is cooked first and then serially the others.

e) Usually near any sea side of the world, during the day wind comes from sea toward the ground, and in the evening from land to sea. But, here it's just the opposite.

f) At any time of the day, no one can see the shadow of the temple on the ground.

g) Everyday almost 20 million people eat at the temple but no shortage or wastage of food has been reported so far.

h) Surprisingly, no airplane or even bird flies above the temple.

i) After entering into the first step of the temple you can't hear the sound of the waves although the sea is so nearby.

j) Every day one priest of the temple climbs to the peak (high as 45 story building) to change the flag. It is believed that if it's not done any day, the temple will be closed for next 18 years.

k) Temple's kitchen is the world's largest kitchen with 500 cooks and 300 helpers.

l) According to some historians, the temple area was formerly a Buddhist stupa. During 10th century, when Vaishnavism became more popular, Jagannath Temple was made by the devotees.

m) Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the great Sikh empery or donated a huge amount of gold to the Jagannath Temple. His last wish was to make a throne with world famous Kohinoor diamond in the middle of it for Lord Jagannath. But it was not possible, because by that time, the British acquired Punjab and took all their regal belongings.