Alamchandi Temple, Puri, Odisha
Alamchandi Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess
Sakthi, located in Puri, a famous pilgrimage town in the state of Odisha,
India. This Temple is one of the neglected Sakta shrines of Puri. The
Temple is located at about 600 meters from Puri Bus Stand, 2 Kms from Puri
Railway Station and 2 Kms from Puri Jagannatha Temple. It is located in the
Kumbharapara area near Atharanala Bridge of the Puri. It is
located on the left side of the Puri-Bhubaneswar road leading from Hospital
square towards Atharanala bridge.
Legends
Skanda Purana has made a reference to
Goddess Alamchandi residing in the northern side of the Jagannath Temple, Puri to
protect the Ratnavedi. Devi Alamchandi is generally considered as one of the
Ashta Shaktis (Chandis) who protect the Antarvedi on the Nairuta (South-west)
corner of Srikshetra. The other seven Chandis are Vimala, Ramachandi,
Hara Chandi,
Baseli, Varahi, Dakshina Chandi and Jhadeswari.
History
The exact date of construction of this temple is not
known. It is believed that the temple was constructed in 16th
Century AD based on architectural features. However, the Natamandapa of the
temple is built in the 20th Century. Now the temple is being managed
by the priest (Padhi) community of Puri town.
The Temple
For brief details, please refer below link;
Festivals
Festivals like Durgashtami, Satapuri Amabasya, Makar
Sankranti etc. are observed in this temple. Priests of Alamchandi temple carry
traditional prasad to offer Lord
Jagannath on the eve of Makar Sankranti. The temple of
Alamchandi is connected with the Saptapuri Puja of Lord Jagannatha temple. On
the day of Saptapuri Amabasya, Saptapuri is sent to this temple from the
Jagannatha temple. Alam Chandi temple is closely associated with the Navakalevara festival
of Lord
Jagannath Temple. Alam Chandi is present at the entrance to the Puri
town. During Navakalevara festival, the carts loaded with the sacred Daru
(wooden logs) are brought into Puri via the road in front of Alam Chandi Temple.
As per the tradition, after getting permission from Goddess Alamchandi the
Sacred wood came into Puri. It is believed that Alam Chandi bless the logs so
that no harm is done at the time of shaping them to form the figures of
the three
deities.
Connectivity
For brief details, please refer below link;
Location
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