Jagannath Temple Delhi Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

Jagannath Temple Delhi is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath. He is the God of the universe who symbolizes universal love. The temple is located at Hauz Khas, Delhi. Along with Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, Sudarshan, Madhaba, Sridevi and Bhudevi are also worshipped on the Ratnabedi or the bejeweled platform.

Jagannath Temple – Facts

Deity	Lord Jagannath
Location	Bhagwan Jagannath Mg, Hauz Khas Vill- Rd, Hauz Khas, Delhi – 110016
Darshan Timings	5 AM to 10 PM (summer) 6 AM to 9:30 PM (winter)
Entry Fees	Free
Dress Code	Traditional Wear
Festivals	Ratha Yatra and many other Hindu festivals

Sree Neelachala Seva Sangh had established the temple in Hauz Khas in 1969 after acquiring land from the Delhi Development Authority. Orissa Government also donated 1 lakh rupees for the temple.

Jagannath Temple Delhi has been built according to the Odisha style of a temple structure in the same design as of Shri Mandir in Puri. The Deities of many other gods and goddesses like Shri Baraha, Shri Narasimha, and Shri Bamana, etc. have been engraved outside the structure of the main temple. The deities of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshan are made of Margosa wood.

The temple also serves as a center of cultural, religious and spiritual interests of Oriyas in Delhi.

This Mandir is managed by a Society called Shri Jagannath Mandir and Odisha Arts & Cultural  Centre, New Delhi (Regd.) under the Society of Registration Act, 1860 in the year 1968.  The society also runs several charitable organizations. The temple is mostly run by the donations of the devotees.

Jagannath Temple Timings

The timings of the Jagannath Temple Delhi are:-

	Pahad Opening Timings	After Prasad Vitaran, Pahad reopening Timing	Pahad Closing Timings
Summer Timings	5:00 AM	12:30 PM	10:00 PM
Winter Timings	6:00 AM	1:00 PM	9:30 PM

Poojas and rituals performed in Jagannath Temple

The poojas and rituals performed in Jagannath Temple Delhi are listed below:

1. Mangal Aarti
2. Abkash
3. Balya Bhog
4. Mandir Rosoi Ghar Hawan
5. Surya Pooja
6. Dwarpal Hawan
7. Garud Pooja
8. Snana, Srinagar and Sohala Upchar Pooja
9. Gopal Ballabh, Aarti and Pushpanjalee
10. Gita Paath
11. Vishnu Sahashranam Paath
12. Bada Bhog
13. Aarti
14. Pana Bhog
15. Veda Paath
16. Sri Bhagwat Paath
17. Strotra Paath
18. Sainkaleen Pooja
19. Sandhya Aarti
20. Bhajan and Kirtan
21. Shayan Aarti
22. Bhada Bhog
23. Geet Govinda Paath

Dress code of Jagannath Temple

Dress Code at Jagannath Temple is:-

• It is advisable to wear decent pieces of apparel when entering the temple. Ladies should be in the traditional attire of sari, lehenga choli or salwar kameez.
• Leather items are not allowed inside the temple.
• People should leave their footwear behind while entering the temple.

What is the significance of the Jagannath Temple?

The significance of the Jagannath Temple Delhi is:-

• The Jagannath Temple at Hauz Khas was built by the working class Oriya community in replication to the Puri temple.
• Jagannath, the God of the Universe is believed to be the fulfiller of one’s wishes. It is also said that his blessings can shape or destroy a man.
• The person who gets to see the Lord’s idol in his life is considered to be lucky or Punyavan.

What is the history of Jagannath Temple?

The history of Jagannath Temple states that:-

• Several legendary accounts found in the Skanda-Purana, Brahma Purana and other Puranas and later Oriya works suggest that Lord Jagannath was originally worshipped as Lord Nila Madhava by a Savar king (tribal chief) named Viswavasu.

• Hearing about the deity, King Indradyumna sent a Brahmin priest, Vidyapati to look for the deity, who was worshipped secretly in a dense forest by Viswavasu. After many failed attempts, he managed to marry Viswavasu’s daughter Lalita.

• Vidyapati intelligently dropped mustard seeds on the ground on the way. The seeds germinated after a few days, which enabled him to find out the cave later on.
• On hearing from him, King Indradyumna proceeded immediately to Odra Desha (Odisha) on a pilgrimage to see and worship the Deity. But the deity had disappeared in the meantime. The king was extremely disappointed at this failure. The Deity was hidden in the sand.

• The king was determined not to return without having a darshan of the deity an observed fast unto death at Mount Neela, then a celestial voice cried ‘thou shalt see him.’ Afterward, the king performed a horse sacrifice and built a magnificent temple for Lord Vishnu.
• Sri Narasimha Murti brought by Narada was installed in the temple. During sleep, the king had a vision of the Lord. Also, an astral voice directed him to receive the fragrant tree on the seashore and make idols out of it.

• Accordingly, the king got the image of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshan made out of the wood of the divine tree and installed them in the temple.

What are the major festivals?

The major festivals celebrated at the Jagannath Temple are all Hindu festivals and certain festivals specific to the Oriya community. However, the most important festival is the Rath Yatra.

Rath Yatra is a Hindu festival associated with the God Jagannath which is held at the Jagannath Temple every year. It is the replication of the festival which happens at the same time in Puri. This annual festival is celebrated on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya (second day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha month) which coincides with the months of June-July.

Rath Yatra translates into ‘The Chariot Journey’ in English. Over the period, the idols of Sri Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are placed in wooden chariots that are constructed over a period of time by skilled craftsmen and the chariots are carried across the streets which are strewn with flowers and grains by the devotees.

They carried for a couple of kilometers and they are brought back to their original place after the journey. It’s a visual treat to see thousands of devotees gathering on the streets and helping in sharing the burden of the chariots of the gods.

The other festivals celebrated at the Jagannath Temple Delhi are:

1. Maha Vishuba Pana Sankranti / Hanuman Jayanti
2. Shri Rama Navami
3. Basantika Dushhara
4. Ravinarayan Brata
5. Chaitra Purnima
6. Akshay Tritiya / Ratha Anukula
7. Harishayana Ekadashi / Sunabesha
8. Guru Purnima
9. Shrikrishna Janmasthami
10. Ganesh Chaturthi
11. Navadinatmaka Puja Arambh
12. Pithe Mahasthami Puja / Maha Navami Puja / Dushahera
13. Dipawali
14. Devabhisheka
15. Makara Sankranti
16. Saraswati Puja
17. Holi

How to reach Jagannath Temple?

• Road:
  • Hauz Khas is one of the busiest suburbs of Delhi NCR.
  • One can also rent a car or auto-rickshaw from anywhere and reach here.
  • Delhi Transport Department has added more buses to its fleet.
  • Several new and old buses are in service which will take you to the Jagannath Temple Terminuses such as Kashmere Gate, Sarai Kale Khan, and Anand Vihar are located nearby which leads to various important places in the city.
• Metro: Hauz Khas Metro station is the nearest station to Jagannath Temple (1.9 k.m.).
• Rail:
  • Many metro trains in New Delhi passes through the Hauz Khas suburb.
  • Whether one is coming from Noida, Gurgaon, India Gate, and the Airport or from the Delhi University area, they will find ample metro trains to reach the destination.
  • Hauz Khas metro station is the nearest metro station to Jagannath Mandir, Delhi(1.4 k.m.).
• Air: Indira Gandhi International Airport is the official airport of Delhi(12.2 k.m.).

Where to stay near Jagannath Temple?

The temple comes under a non-governmental organization. It is handled by a large association who are appointed as members of the temple. The temple also owns a self-run Dharamshala with up-to-date facilities. Rooms are available only on prior booking. AC/Non-AC rooms are also available for accommodation.

Inmates can even avail the Prasad Sevan facility which is provided at affordable rates. Hauz Khas also have 3 star and 5-star hotels catering to the needs of the visiting devotees.

Where to eat near Jagannath Temple?

Every day Annaprasad is distributed with prior booking. The meals are available at affordable prices both in the daytime and the night. Devotees generally eat at the temple. On a daily basis about 300-400 devotees/visitors take Anna Prasad at the Prasad Hall of the temple. Many restaurants are also available in the contiguity.

What are some temples near Jagannath Temple?

• Kalkaji Mandir – Kalkaji Mandir is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Hindu Goddess Kali. This temple is located in the southern part of Delhi, right opposite to the Nehru Place business center. The belief surrounding the temple is that the image of the Goddess Kalka or Kali, here is a self-manifested one, and also the shrine dates back to Satya Yuga.
• ISCKON Temple –  ISKCON Delhi temple, is the temple of Lord Krishna and Radharani in the form of Radha Parthasarathi. It is one of the top tourist places in Delhi to visit.
• Lotus Temple – The Lotus Temple, located in Delhi, India, is a Baha’i House of Worship. The temple is built in the shape of a floating half-open lotus set amidst pools and gardens. It serves as the Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent and has become a prominent attraction in the city.

Frequently Asked Questions about Jagannath Temple-