History:

is said to have crumbled to ruins by the end of 12th century AD. It is one of the shrines found in the great temple complex of Jagannath at Puri. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed to have been built by Chodaganga Dev, a contemporary of the great Ganga Dynasty. The temple is located to the east of the Jagannath temple on the shore of the sea. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Lokanath, an avatar of Lord Shiva. The temple is richly carved and decorated with beautiful figures and carvings. The shikhara of the temple is made of eight storeys and is adorned with exquisite motifs. The temple also houses a number of other shrines dedicated to various Gods and Goddesses. Every day, poojas and abhishekams are conducted in the temple, drawing devotees from across the world. It is a popular attraction to visit during the annual Rath Yatra festival of Lord Jagannath. It is one of the best temple in Odisha which you must visit.

Facts:

1. The Lokanatha Temple is located in Prachi Valley, located in the Puri district in the state of Odisha, India. 2. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, specifically to his incarnation known as Lokeswara. 3. The original temple was constructed in the 10th century and has been renovated several times over the centuries. 4. The temple is a major pilgrimage site for Shaivites and is part of the holy Char Dham Pilgrimage. 5. The temple is a subsidiary of the lord Jagannath temple, located about 14 km away in Puri. 6. The primary deity, Lokeswara, is a three-headed form of Shiva, with 13 arms, and believed to accompanied by his consort, Parvati or Girija Devi. 7. The temple walls feature scenes from the life of lord Shiva and his devotees. 8. Two festivals are celebrated in the temple: the Suna Besa in April and the 'Marjana' every year on the second week of January. 9. Devotees also offer prayers and perform rituals to the presiding deities upon the completion of their pilgrimage to the major temples in Puri. Here are some facts about the Odisha temple.These facts will help you understand why it is oldest temple list of the best temples in Odisha

Worship Method:

The worship method for the Lokanatha Temple in Puri, Odisha follows the traditional method of puja and rituals associated with Vaishnava worship. During the morning puja, the main image of Lord Mokshanatha is offered darsana, archana, tápá, ácaman, and árati. This is followed by a pranáma to Lord Nrisimha and Acharyas of the Vaishnavaite lineage. The temple also performs elaborate ritual sacrifices such as baliyája, homa, and food offerings. During the evening puja, the devotees stand in a line and offer prayers to the main deity and chant prayers or songs to please the Lord. The temple idols are decorated with flowers and offerings of fruits, incense, and ghee lamps. After the prayers, the devotees circumambulate the temple and chant or sing bhajans. Finally, prasada is distributed to end the puja. This most visited temple in Odisha

Opening Timing:

The Lokanatha temple in Puri Odisha opens at 8.00am and closes at 6.00pm. top temples in Odisha

How to reach:

From New Delhi By Air: The closest airport to Puri is Bhubaneswar International Airport. Regular flights to Bhubaneswar Airport are available from major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, etc. It is located 70 km away from Puri, and the drive from the airport to Puri takes around 1.5 hours. By Road: You can take a car or bus directly to Puri from Delhi. The total distance between Delhi and Puri is about 1801 km and it may take up to 34-35 hours depending upon the route taken. By Train: There are many direct trains from Delhi to Puri, such as the Purushottam Super Fast Express, Odisha Sampark Kranti Express, and the Puri Garib Rath. These take about 32-35 hours of journey. famous temples in Odisha