Shree Jagannath Temple

The temple's curvilinear main tower (a Rekha Deula) rises about 65 metres (214 ft) and dominates the surrounding landscape. It is crowned by the Nila Chakra, an eight-spoked wheel of eight metals, which is distinct from the Sudarshana worshipped inside the sanctum. A different flag is hoisted on the Nila Chakra each day. The tower is a landmark of Kalinga architecture, noted for its sculptural richness.

The Singhadwara is the temple's principal, east-facing entrance, flanked by two large crouching lions and the guardian figures Jaya and Vijaya. Patita Pavana, a form of Jagannath, is painted beside the entrance, and the monolithic Aruna Stambha stands in front. The gate opens onto the Baisi Pahacha, a flight of 22 steps. During the Rath Yatra, the deities pass through this gate in the Pahandi procession, which begins at the Ratnasinghasana in the sanctum and ends at the chariots on the Bada Danda.

The Mukti Mandapa is a raised granite platform with a pillared roof, south of the main temple. It is the seat of a council of learned Brahmin pandits from designated villages, chaired by the Shankaracharya of Puri. The council is regarded as the highest authority on religious questions, settles disputes among servitors and approves the annual almanac. Its pillars carry painted decoration.

The Natamandapa (Nata Mandir) is the dancing hall between the Jagamohana and the Bhogamandapa, added after the main tower. It was historically where Mahari devadasis performed for the deity, a tradition that gave rise to Odissi, though Mahari dance is no longer performed in the temple. Today devotees gather here to view the deities.

The Bhogamandapa is the offering hall at the far end of the temple's four-part sequence, about 61 metres from the Ratnabedi. Food offerings for pilgrims, known as Chhatra Bhog, are made here. Tradition attributes the practice to Adi Shankaracharya, who introduced it so pilgrims could share the temple's food. Most of the deities' daily offerings are made in the sanctum near the Ratnasinghasana.

The Rosha Ghara is often called the world's largest temple kitchen, though some sources say second largest. Mahaprasad is cooked by hereditary cooks (Suaras) in earthen pots stacked over wood-fired earthen hearths. It is strictly vegetarian, with no onion or garlic. Published figures vary widely, from roughly 400 to 600 cooks with hundreds of assistants and from about 240 to 750 hearths, so the numbers are best treated as estimates.

The flag atop the spire, the Patitapabana Bana, is hoisted on the Nila Chakra and is changed every evening by hereditary Chunara (Chola) Garuda servitors, who climb the tower without a harness. It is regarded as equivalent to the deities' image in the sanctum. That it flies against the wind is a widely repeated belief, not something documented in the temple's records.

The Meghanada Pacheri is the outer stone wall of the temple complex, 20 to 24 feet high and about 6 feet thick, with serrated battlement designs along its top. It has four gates, the Singhadwara (east), Ashwadwara (south), Vyaghradwara (west) and Hathidwara (north), named for their guardian animal sculptures, with navagraha reliefs on the gate architraves. A second wall, the Kurma Bedha, encloses the main temple.

Ananda Bazaar, in the north-east corner of the outer enclosure, is where Mahaprasad is sold to devotees. It is described as the biggest open-air eatery in the world, and pilgrims eat here together regardless of caste, creed or status.

Koili Baikuntha is an enclosed area in the north-western part of the temple premises, between the outer and inner walls. During Nabakalebara the old wooden deities are buried here in a rite called Patali. It represents the cycle of death and renewal of the deities' bodies.

The Garbha Griha, in the vimana beneath the main tower, houses the wooden images of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra on the Ratnabedi (jewelled platform), together with Sudarshana, Madanmohan, Sridevi and Vishwadhatri. The deities are dressed and adorned according to the season.