PANCHA TIRTHA OF PURI

Besides the temple of Lord Jagannath there are other sacred places in Puri. In Puri there are five sacred bathing places. They are known as the Pancha Tirtha. They are Indradyumna Tank, Markandeya Tank, Swetaganga, Sea and Rohini Kunda. It is believed that the visit to Puri is incomplete unless the ceremony of Pancha Tirtha is performed. By Pancha Tirtha is meant the custom of bathing in the five holy Tanks. By visiting Lord Jagannath and bathing in the Pancha Tirthas the pilgroms gets Salvation.

INDRADYUMNA TANK

Located on the north western part of the Gundicha temple, this Indradyumna Tank is one among the five sacred tanks of Puri. It is 396 feet wide and 485 feet long, and covers an area of four and a half acres. The place is famous for its religious importance and its connection to Lord Krishna. A temple of child Krishna stands here. Near the temple is a small shrine, dedicated to King Indrayumna of Odisha. At this place the 'Ashwamedha Yagnya' arranged by Indradyumna is materialised by Brahma. After the end of the Yangya innumerable Brahmins were gifed. Now this 'Yangya Kunda' is known as Indradyumna tank. The statue of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra being constructed by Biswakarma is located near this Yanga kunda at Gundicha temple. On its banks there are several small temples.

SWETAGANGA TANK

Swetaganga is a small sacred tank situated to the west of the Jagannath Temple in Puri. According to Mahabharat the Swetaganga is created from the nail of Lord Vishnu. The Swetaganga is situated in between Lions gate and Swargadwar. This Ganga is from the bottom of the earth and the water is sacred. Before visiting Lord Jagannath the pilgrims after bathed in Sea again takes a bath on Swetaganga and visits Lord Jagannath. It is believed that there is an internal connection between Swetaganga and the river Ganga. On the bank of this pond are two small temples, dedicated to Sweta Madhava and Matsya Madhava.

ROHINI KUNDA

Rohini Kunda is one of the Pancha Tirthas of Puri. This place is located inside Lord Jagannath temple and in front of Goddess Vimala temple. On the holy spot there is a symbol of Wheel and a Crow of four feet. The water of the origin of the creation is known as 'Karana Water'. This water is secretely stored in this Rohini Kunda. Another incident is also spoken by people about Rohini Kunda. After constructing the temple of Lord Jagannath King Indradyumna invited Brahma for its fullpledged stature. At that time King Galamadhava possessed the temple and demanded that the temple belonged to him. On the presence of Brahma the dispute came to a close. Both the crow and the wheel witnessed on the side of King Indradyumna and stayed there forever. King Galamadhava remained on the holy water and prayed Lord Jagannath forever.

MARKANDEYA TANK

God saved Sage Markandeya from a severe danger from Sea. The place where God saved Markanda is known as Markandeya, the holy place. On that particular spot Markandeya remained on meditation for a long time. He also grasped the sprit of Bhagabat, He also arranged a Yangya on that spot. At this place a temple was constructed by sage Markandeya. The Markandeya tank exists beside the temple and is one among the Pancha Tirthas of Puri.

SEA

The greatest attraction of Puri for travellers and pilgrims is its long sandy Sea Beach. The Sea beach of Puri is one of the best beach in India for both tourists and religious point of view. Out of the five great holy tanks of Puri, Sea is the greatest and holist for travellers. Puri Sea beach is the source of beauty and leisure resort.