Loknath Mandir Puri, which is also known as Bada Loknath mandir is situated just 2 km away from the Jagannath Mandir, Puri, Odisha. The temple is dedicated bhagwan Shiv. In this mandir Shivaling is visible only once a year.
History and Architecture of Loknath Mandir Puri
An interesting aspect of this temple is that it has a Shivalinga in its sanctum, which is visible only once in a year. The reason for this is that the entire sanctum sanctorum including the Shivalinga remains filled with water throughout the year from the natural fountain. On the night of Pankodhar Ekadashi – three days before the Shivratri festival – all the water is taken out from the sanctum sanctorum, and the Shivalinga becomes visible. During the festival thousands of devotees come to the temple to worship the Shivalinga.
Built of sandstone, the Loknath temple has four sections: Vimana (main shrine), Jagamohana (entrance hall), Bhoga Mandapa (offering hall) and Nritya Mandapa (dance hall). The main temple is built at a height of about 30 feet from the ground. Since a large part of the main temple is covered with marble, no extensive architectural features are visible. There is a pond in the temple premises where there are many fish, devotees feed the fish.
According to legends, when Bhagwan Rama was on his way to Lanka to rescue Goddess Sita, he stopped at Puri and resolved to have darshan of Bhagwan Shiva. Meanwhile a Sabar man from the nearby village Sabarapalli gave a pumpkin (locally called Lau or Lauka) to Bhagwan Rama which looked like a Shivalinga. Bhagwan Rama installed this vegetation as a replica of Shivalinga and prayed to the Bhagwan to fulfill his wish of saving Goddess Sita. Since then, the Shivalinga is known as 'Laukanath'. Over the centuries, the name 'Laukanath' has changed to 'Lokanath'.
Loknath Mandir Puri Darshan Timings
Loknath Temple Puri is open throughout the week and darshan timings are from 5 am to 9 pm.
Major festivals of Loknath Mandir Puri
Shivratri is the main festival celebrated in this temple which is locally called Jagar. During the festival, thousands of devotees come to the temple to offer prayers to the Bhagwan. Another festival celebrated at the temple is the Sankranti Monday fair, during which the Utsav idol of Loknath is taken to the Jagannath temple as Loknath is considered to be the guardian deity of the treasury of Bhagwan Jagannath. Apart from Shivratri, devotees come here especially on Mondays of Vaishakh, Shravan and Kartik months.
Although the Shivalinga is visible only once during the year, devotees offer flowers, vine and bilva leaves, honey, sandalwood paste, flowers, milk, coconut water and curd to it throughout the year. The mixture of these and the water of the natural fountain gets decomposed, and according to the local belief, this decomposed mixture has a special essence and has great medicinal value and whoever drinks this water, his incurable diseases are cured.
How to reach Puri Loknath Mandir?
Puri city is very well connected to other cities by road as well as by railways. While the railway station is about 4.6 km from Loknath Temple, the bus stand is at a distance of about 4.7 km. The nearest airport to the temple is Biju Patnaik International Airport, located at a distance of approximately 60 km.
Things to keep in mind while visiting Puri Loknath Mandir
❀ This temple is open only to Hindus.
❀ Spreading dirt on temple property or trying to damage any part of it is punishable.
❀ Food items as well as leather items including wallets and shoes are not allowed inside the temple.
❀ Apart from this holy temple, devotees visiting Puri should definitely visit other holy places in the city including Jagannath Temple, Gundicha Temple and Markandeshwar Temple.
Popular Name: Bada Loknath mandir