Jagannath Temple : Hyderabad, Puri Jagannath Mandir

Jagannath Temple ("Jagan" means Universe and "Nath" means Lord, thus "Lord Of Universe"), the temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna (one of the incarnation of Lord Vishnu). This temple is said to be a replica of original Jagannath Temple of Puri (Orissa) in context of design/pattern and not in size.

The idols of divine trio in Puri – Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Subhadra are installed in the temple.

While the main structure of temples houses the Lord Krishna along with his brother Balabhadra and Subhadra, it also has five small surrounding temple to house Lord Ganesh (left to the main entrance), Lord Shiva (in front along the steps), Goddess Bhimala (incarnation of Goddess Paravathi, on left back side), Goddess Laxmi (back right side) and two shrines side by side is Navgraha (Nine Planet Lords) and Shri Hanuman (on middle right side). Each of them having a dedicated priest. There are total 3 entrances to this temple , the main entrance opens right in front of the main temple as shown on the second pic top right.

The highlight of the temple is its 'shikhara' (temple tower), standing at an imposing 72 feet tall.

Three gates leads the devotees to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple where the idols of the presiding deities— Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra.

Interesting aspect of this temple architecture and of the original one in Puri is, the exteriors are embellished with some amorous sculpture of male and female the same way as we have in Khujaraho Temples (pic on right has 5 such sculpt, one of them is a Lion ridding on an Elephant). There are plenty of theories or concepts behind these sculptures on temple walls as I read on web

- These sculpt represents the external desire of human and one needs to raise above all these desires to reach to GOD.

- Some one said, these are carved on exteriors so to protect it from lighting, rains etc as Lord of water Indra as himself being a great sex admirer won't destroy anything which itself shows as a sex lover.

- As lord Krishna himself was a great Casanova and thus sculpture was made according to his very nature.

The Hyderabad Kalinga Cultural Trust has worked for several years to build the replica of the Puri temple in the heart of the city, Banjara Hills. Jagannath Ratha Yatra is the most celebrated festival in the temple. In 2010, Hyderabad Jagannath Ratha Yatra date is July 13.

Below is the contact info for Kalinga Samaj and temple.

Kalinga Cultural Trust

Kalinga Cultural Centre

Plot No 1269

Road No 12,

Banjara Hills

Hyderabad – 500034

Phone: 040 – 23303889