Emami Jagannath Temple, Balasore

The tall and beautiful Emami Jagannath Temple is located at a distance of 7 km from Balasore town. This temple is a wonderful architectural model with red stone constructed by Emami which attracts a number of visitors to this place. The stone carving and the monumental craft draw the attraction of visitors. Shree Jagannath Mandir is dubbed to be Odisha’s second Puri Jagannath temple. The Emami Jagannath Temple appears as if it has been built on the wheels of a big chariot.

History of Emami Jagannath Temple

The seventy-eight feet high scintillating shrine has been constructed on a sprawling three acres of land on the premises of Balasore town Balgopalpur initiated by the Emami Paper Mill Limited. The temple appears as if it is built on the wheels of a big chariot. The temple of Lord Jagannath has been built in an area of 4300 square feet. There are temples of Lord Shiva, Maa Bimala, Goddess Laxmi, Lord Ganesh and Sankat Mochan Hanuman inside the campus built in an area of 380 square feet each.

The Mandir of Lord Jagannath has been built in sandstone. The architecture of this temple follows the classical pattern of the Sri Jagannath temple of Puri where the main tower rises above the inner sanctum that houses the deities and a subsidiary tower rising above ante-all. In front of the main temple, there is Aruna Stambha. The main entrance of the temple faces the rising sun. The temple complex is surrounded by a rectangular wall Meghanada Prachira.

There are four gates on all four sides in both the walls. The main gate is called Simha Dvara or the lion’s gates, because of the two huge statues of lions in its front. The temple complex covers four exclusive blocks. The main temple is 61 feet high and is built on the elevated ground of 22 rising steps making it look more impressive. There is a wheel on top of the Jagannath Temple made of an alloy of eight metals Asta-Dhatu. It is called the Nila Chakra (Blue Wheel). The temple complex also annexes a kitchen complex and living rooms for the priests. Panchalingeswar temple to Emami Jagannath temple is the distance is 23 km. Emami Jagannath Mandi is one of the most famous temples in Balasore District.