Located in the state of Orissa, Puri is an important pilgrimage center,
enshrining the famous Jagannatha Temple. Infact, Puri is the
forerunner of the Jagannatha cult in Orissa, with the flowering
of several temples dedicated to Jagannath all over the state. Shri
Jagannatha Temple is an ancient shrine, enshrining Lord Krishna or
Jagannatha in the form of a wooden image. There are also wooden images
of Balabhadra and Subhadra, brother and sister of
Krishna, respectively. The Jagannatha Temple dates back to the 12th
century and is situated in a huge complex. This temple is about 200 feet
high and dominates the Puri skyline. This complex contains about 120
temples and shrines. Puri is famous for its "Rath Yatra" held once in every year in the month of June-July. This temple of Lord Jagannatha at Puri is considered to be one of the most sacred pilgrimage spots in India - one of the four dhamas (abodes) of the divine lying on the four directions of the compass.