About Jaganath temple

• Sri Jagannath Temple is one of the most revered and sacred pilgrimage sites in India.
• Its main deity is Lord Jagannath, who is said to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
• There are two other deities, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
• The Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is considered as India’s biggest chariot festival.
• The majestic temple is said to have been built by king Anangabhimadeva, also known as Angangabhima III of the Ganga dynasty.
• Some historians say the construction of the temple began during the reign of king Anantavarman Chodagangadeva, the founder of the dynasty, in the 12th century.

Architecture of the temple

• The temple is built in the Nagara style (Sub-school: Kalinga or Odisha school) of temple architecture.
• The temple consists of four structures: Vimana or Bada Deula (sanctum sanctorum), Jagamohana or Mukhasala (the porch or mandap), Natamandir (the audience hall) and Bhogamandap (bhoga is the food offering made to gods).
• The Vimana is in the style of Rekha deul– characterised by curvilinear tower known as Shikhara.
• The Jagamohana is in the form of Pidha deula- square building with a pyramid-shaped roof.

Why in news?

• A strict dress code was created for devotees visiting the Jagannath Puri Temple.