Lokanatha Temple built by Lord Shri Ram is one of the important temples of the state of Odisha. In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, a Shivalinga, a symbol of Lord Shiva, is installed, which remains submerged in naturally occurring water throughout the year. It is only on the day of MahaShivratri that the water collected in the Shivling is drained out and the devotees get a chance to have darshan.
Built of sandstone, Lokanatha Temple has four parts- Vimana, Jagmohan, Natmandapa, and Bhogamandap. The outer walls of the temple are adorned with images of various deities, including Lord Shiva, Mata Parvati, Lord Kartikeya, and Chaturbhuj Lord Ganesha. Apart from this, there are temples and pictures of Lord Surya Narayan, Chandra Narayan, Shri Vishnu, Maa Lakshmi, and Hanuman Ji on the temple premises.
There is Parvati Kund near the Lokanatha Temple tourists, devotees are required to wash their hands and feet before entering the Lokanatha Temple. Tourists can feed the fish living in the pool.
The most important and special thing about Lokanatha Temple is that three days before Shivratri the natural water collected in the Shivling is taken out and given to the devotees for reception. This water is considered medicinal and miraculous and is said to cure incurable diseases.
Lokanatha Temple Timings
All the devotees can take darshan of Loknath Temple from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Most of the people gather here for darshan from 8:00 am to 11:00 am and from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Lokanatha Temple History
This Lokanatha Temple of Puri is connected with “Ramayana”. According to the legend, when Lord Shri Ram, searching for Mata Sita, reached the city of Puri, he sat down at this place with the resolution to see Lord Shiva. That time the people of Sabrapalli village give a Pumpkin of Shivling size to Shri Ram, to fulfill the wish, Shri Ram took that gourd in the form of Shivling there and since then this Shivling, the symbol of Lord Bholenath, came to be worshipped as “Laukanath”. Loknath is a modified form of the word Lokanath. The Lokanatha Temple has been stable there ever since.
How to reach Lokanatha Temple, Puri, Odisha?
By Road
You can go by bus, many government buses are available to reach Puri. The distance between Puri bus station to Lokanatha Temple is about 1.5 km.
By Train
The nearest railway station is Puri Junction Railway Station. The distance from Puri Junction to Lokanatha Temple is 4.2 Km.
By Air
The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar Biju Patnaik Airport. From Bhubaneswar, you can go by bus, or private vehicles are available. The distance between Bhubaneswar to Puri is 59 Km.
Puri Tourist Places
Apart from Lokanatha Temple, tourists can also visit the following places in Puri, Odisha.
- Puri Beach
- Konark Beach
- Chilika Lake
- Jaganath Temple
- Swargadwar Beach
- Daring Badi
- Wonder World Water Park
- Puri Light House
- Sakshi Gopal Temple
- Vimla Temple
- Sri Gaur Vihar Aashram
- Ratha Yatra
- Baliharachandi Beach
- Balighai Beach
- Bedi Hanuman Temple
Puri Best Accommodations
Best Accommodations are available near famous religious places in Puri, which you can book online below.
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