Gundicha Temple in Puri | Odisha Tourism | Things to do in Gundicha Temple, Places to visit near Gundicha Temple

Gundicha Temple is a renowned Hindu temple, situated in the temple town of Puri in the state of Odisha, India. This temple is known as the Garden House of lord Jagannath and lies at a distance of 3 kilometers from the main temple(Srimandira). This temple is also known as maausi maa temple and significant for being the destination of the celebrated annual Rath Yatra of Puri. The Rath Yatra starts on the second lunar day (dwitiya) the bright fortnight (shukla paksha) of the Hindu month of Ashadha. One day before the Ratha Yatra, the Gundicha Temple is religiously cleansed for housing the gods.

On the first day of the yatra, the deities are transported in chariots from the main temple to Gundicha temple. The three deities are carried in three magnificent chariots, drawn by the numerous devotees gathered there. The three chariots involved in the chariot procession are: one for each deity with central chariot called the Nandighosha, carrying the main deity of Jagannath and the second chariot known as Taladhwaja carrying Balabhadra, and the third chariot called the Darpadalana carrying Subhadra. The procession progresses down the 3 km long "Bada Danda" (long avenue) and reaches the gates of the Gundicha temple in the evening. The deities remain in the chariots on the first day and enter the Gundicha Temple on the second day. They reside at the Gundicha temple for the subsequent seven days