This large sacred bathing tank is located just opposite Ganga Mata Math. Puri residents say that Ganga-devi personally resides here in the form of Sweta Ganga so that she can regularly take darsana and serve Jagannatha Swami. Being non-different from the Ganga, Sweta Ganga never becomes dry. Even if all the water is pumped out for some reason, it automatically refills. Remarkably, its water level rises or falls at the same rate as the Ganga river. Sweta Ganga is one of the Panca Mukti Tirthas of Sri Ksetra Dhama. After cremating the deceased, Puri residents bath here and perform the sraddha ceremony.

Non-different from Ganges river. Sweta Ganga never becomes dry. Even if all the water is pumped out for some reason, it automatically refills.

When Lord Caitanya first came to Puri, He fainted in front of Deity of Lord Jagannatha and Sarvabhauma took Him to his home. Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya spoke to Lord Caitanya in his house about the impersonal doctrine for several days and finally Lord Caitanya defeated all his impersonal conclusions and bestowed His causeless mercy upon him by showing His Sadbhuja rupa, or six-armed form, a combined form of Lord Krishna, Lord Rama and Lord Caitanya. The house is located opposite to the Sveta Ganga tank. There is Radha Krishna Deities called Sri Sri Radha-Rasikaraja in this house worshipped by Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya. There is a hidden tunnel in the house that is said to lead in two directions, one to the sea and another to the Jagannatha Temple. It is said that this tunnel was used by Sri Caitanya.

A combined form of Lord Krishna, Lord Rama and Lord Caitanya. Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu bestowed His causeless mercy upon Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya by showing His Sadbhuja rupa.

On the road next to ISKCON Bhakti-kuti and Srila Haridas Thakura’s samadhi one will find Sat Asana Mathas, which are actually only 4 temples honouring 7 sitting places (sat asana) established by the Sapta-rsis, who once did bhajana here. Sapta-rsis are 7 potent Brahmin sages amongst demigods who assist in universal affairs: Kasyapa, Atri, Vasistha, Visvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni and Bharadvaja.

One day during his samudra-snana (sea bath), King Indradyumna saw 7 exalted sages doing bhajana in a lonely place on the beach. When asked about their identity, they remained silent, absorbed in meditation. That night, Lord Jagannatha told King Indradyumna in a dream, “They are the universally famous Sapta-rsis. You must give them some land and daily send My maha-prasadam.” Although the king offered land, the rsis refused saying, “We are detached sadhus only interested in bhajana. But if you desire, you may send Lord Jagannatha maha-prasadam everyday.” In time, 7 mathas (temples) were established to honour the 7 sitting places of these exalted saints. Today however, only 4 temples remain.

Like holy Ganga and Yamuna rivers, the ocean at Puri is a purifying sacred place of pilgrimage. Ocean here is not just a pilgrimage place; it is a maha-tirtha, a great pilgrimage site. During Nama-acarya Srila Haridasa Thakura’s samadhi ceremony, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu bathed his transcendental body in the sea and declared, “From today onwards, this sea has become a great pilgrimage site, samudra ei maha-tirtha.” Every day, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would bathe in the ocean and take darsana of the nila-cakra of Lord Jagannatha’s temple, offering obeisances to it. He also instructed His devotees to follow His example and perform these practices.

Kutir is on top of the hill behind Purusottma Gaudiya Math, which stands on the hilly sand dune known as Cataka Parvata on the road leading to Tota Gopinatha temple. Main temple houses Deities of Sri Sri Gaura-Gadadhara and Radha-Vinoda Madhava Jiu. Inside the bhajana kutira are Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura’s bed and personal effects. There is also a murti of Srila Vedavyasa and Madhvacarya. Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada once stayed here for a few days.

All the hilly sand dunes in this area are known as Cataka Parvata where Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu enjoyed ecstatic pastimes. One day while Mahaprabhu was going to bathe in the ocean He mistook the sand dune named Cataka-parvata to be Govardhana Hill and ran toward it while uttering verse from Srimad Bhagavatam 10.21.18: “Of all the devotees, this Govardhana Hill is the best! O my friends, this hill supplies Krishna and Balarama, along with Their calves, cows and cowherd friends, with all kinds of necessities — water for drinking, very soft grass, caves, fruits, flowers and vegetables. In this way the hill offers respects to the Lord. Being touched by the lotus feet of Krishna and Balarama, Govardhana Hill appears very jubilant.”

Sri Caitanyadeva’s personal servant Govinda followed but he failed to catch the Lord. Svarupa Damodara Goswami, Jagadananda Pandita, Gadadhara Pandita, Ramai, Nandai and Sankara Pandita roared tumultuously as they ran after Mahaprabhu. Bhagavan Acarya, who was lame, trudged along very slowly. Although Gauranga was running at the speed of wind, He suddenly became stunned in ecstasy (stamba-bhava) losing all power to move.

Within seconds, Sri Caitanyadeva manifested all asta-sattvika vikara, 8 transformations of divine ecstasy- stupor (stamba), perspiration (sveda), horripilation (romancha), choking of the voice (svara-bhanga), trembling (vepathu), changes in color (vaivarnya), profuse weeping (asru), and loss of external consciousness (pralaya). Gaura’s transcendental body flushed with thrill bumps and His bodily hairs, standing on end (romancha), appeared like kadamba flowers. Blood and perspiration (sveda) flowed incessantly from every pore of Gauranga’s body. He could not speak a word but simply produced a gargling sound within His throat (svara-bhanga). Unlimited tears poured from Mahaprabhu’s eyes like Ganga and Yamuna flowing into the sea. Mahaprabhu’s golden form turned white like a conch shell, and He trembled like the waves in sea and then collapsed on the ground.

Upon seeing the divine rapture visible in Mahaprabhu’s body, Svarupa Damodara Goswami and all the devotees became struck with wonder and cried. Devotees performed loud kirtana and wasked Gauranga’s divine body with cold water. After listening for a long time, Mahaprabhu suddenly stood up and chanted, “Haribol!”. Upon returning to half external consciousness, Mahaprabhu spoke: “Who has brought Me here from Govardhana Hill? I was seeing Sri Krishna’s pastimes, but now I cannot see them. Today I went from here to Govardhana Hill to find out if Krishna was tending His cows there. I saw Sri Krishna climbing Govardhana Hill and playing His flute, surrounded on all sides by grazing cows.

Hearing the vibration of Krishna’s flute, Venunanda, Radha Thakurani and all Her gopi friends came there to meet Syama. They awere all very nicely dressed. When Krishna and Srimati Radhika entered a cave together, the other gopies asked Me to pick some flowers. Just the, all of you made a tumultuous sound and carried Me from there to this palce. Why have you brought Me here, causing Me unnecessary pain? I had a chance to see Krishna’s pastimes, but I could not see them”. Saying this, Mahaprabhu wept and then so did the Vaishnavas upon seeing Gauranga’s condition. [Caitanya Caritamrta Antya Lila 14.84-119]

This a very important place of pilgrimage because several wonderful pastimes enacted here.

After the Rathayatra when Their Lordships Sri Sri Jagannatha-Baladeva-Subdhara relaxes in the Gundica Temple, Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu took rest here for 9 days.

Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu used to meet Sri Ramananda Raya who was His very dear and confidential associate.

A great-devotee and King, King Prataparudra was delivered by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu here.

Towards the later part of Mahaprabhu’s life, when He was feeling intense separation from Lord Sri Krishna, He came to this garden on a full moon day during the month of Vaisakha, along with His associates. Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami has explained this pastime very nicely in Caitanya-Caritamrta Antya 19-76-100.

Wonderful pastime: Mahaprabhu’s Bhojan Lila (Mahaprabhu’s honouring of Prasada) took place here

A great pandita Pradyuma Misra came here to learn to look beyond the material covering and he heard Bhagavata-Katha from Ramananda Raya

This large garden, full of coconut trees and cooling pond, is very dear (vallabha) to Lord Jagannatha because it produces varieties of flowers and fruits for His service. Lord Jagannatha’s utsava murti, festival Deity, come here on different auspicious functions and relish many spectacular festivities performed here. It is believed that this garden existed since the construction of Lord Jagannatha’s Temple.

Immediately to the left entrance of the garden is Jagannatha Vallabha Matha, which is said to be established by the Sri Visnuswami Sampradaya. Inside the temple there are 3 altars

In one, Sri Radha Gopala murtis are worshipped. These Deities are extraordinarily beautiful. The Gopala murti has four hands: in two hands He holds sankha and cakra, and in other two His celebrated flute.

Second altar has Deities of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in sannyasa dress sitting before Ramananda Raya.

Third altar houses large Deities of Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subdhara and Sudarsana Cakra.

This temple is ½ km walk up the Grand Road towards Jagannatha Mandira. Garden has distinctive dark red boundary wall. Above main entrance gate there is a colourful diorama of Lord Visnu lying on Ananta Sesa.

Here Lord Caitanya used to meet Sri Ramananda Raya who was His very dear and confidential associate. King Prataparudra was delivered by Lord Caitanya here. Towards the later part of Mahaprabhu’s life, when He was feeling intense separation from Lord Sri Krishna, He came to this garden on a full moon day during the month of Vaisakha, along with His associates (Caitanya-Caritamrta Antya 19-76-100). This large garden, full of coconut trees and cooling pond, is very dear (vallabha) to Lord Jagannatha because it produces varieties of flowers and fruits for His service. Lord Jagannatha’s utsava murti, festival Deity, come here on different auspicious functions and relish many spectacular festivities performed here. Immediately to the left entrance of the garden is Jagannatha Vallabha Matha, which is said to be established by the Sri Visnuswami Sampradaya. Inside the temple there are three altars. In one, Sri Radha Gopala murtis are worshipped. These Deities are extraordinarily beautiful. The Gopala murti has four hands: in two hands He holds sankha and cakra, and in other two His celebrated flute. Second altar has Deities of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in sannyasa dress sitting before Ramananda Raya. Third has large Deities of Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subdhara and Sudarsana Cakra.

This is a very ancient temple, next to Gundica Temple. There are two Deities of Lord Nrsimhadeva, one behind the other.

Santa Nrsimhadeva (peaceful) is in the front. Santa Nrsimhadeva has human-like features: a sharp nose, curvy moustache and an outstretched tongue. By seeing Santa Nrsimhadeva one will feel cool and relaxed; all anger, anxiety and frustration will vanish. Once a Muslim marauder named Kalapahad ransacked Puri and broke many Deities. Upon seeing Santa Nrsimhadeva, his anger subsided and he did not touch the Deity. Deity behind is Ugra Nrsimhadeva (ferocious) and may be seen with pujari’s lamp.

Every year the Rathayatra culminates at this temple which is surrounded by lush gardens and tall cooling coconut trees. Fragrant flowers and shady trees create a Vrindavan atmosphere which Lord Jaganantha enjoys for 7 days before returning to Sri Mandira. This temple is located at the opposite end of main road about 3 km northeast of the Jagannatha Temple. The temple at Gundica is called Sundaracala and Jagannatha Temple is called Nilacala. During Rathayatra festival, Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra along Sudarshan, leave Jagannatha Mandira for nine days: one day for travelling to Gundicha, Seven days spent there, and one day to return home. This Journey is known as to Gundica Yatra, Nava Dina Yatra (“nine days Journey”), or Ghosa Yatra. It is most auspicious to have darshana of Lord Jagannatha at this time.

Gundica Mandira is called the “birthplace” of Jaganantha Swami because here on a special platform called the mahavedi, a celestial carpenter carved the daru that manifested the Deities of Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra during the reign of King lndradyumna. It is said that the wife of lndradyumna, the king who originally established the temple of Jagannatha, was known as Gundica. The cleansing of the Gundica Temple – Gundica-marjana – takes place the day before the Rathayatra festival as mentioned in Caitanya-Caritamrita. Darshana of Jagannatha during His stay at Gundica temple is known as Adapa Darshana. It is said in scripture that darshana of the Lord Jagannatha at Gundica temple is equal to ten darshana at Nilachala Temple (main temple). This place is compared to Vrindavana.

Siddha Bakula is located near Gambhira Temple on Bali Sahi road. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu personally arranged for Srila Haridasa Thakura to reside at this place. This is the place where he performed his daily bhajana of chanting 192 rounds (3,00,000 names) of Hare Krishna maha-mantra:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare |

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare ||

Since Haridas could not enter the Jagannatha Temple, being of a Muslim family, Sri Caitanya requested Haridasa, “Remain here and chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. I shall personally come here to meet you daily. Remain here peacefully, and look at the cakra on top of Lord Jagannatha’s temple and offer obeisances. As far as your Prasadam, I shall arrange to have that sent here.” In order to provide shade for Thakur Haridasa, Sri Caitanya planted a used tooth stick of Lord Jagannatha. All of a sudden it grew up and appeared as a great shade tree. When Srila Rupa Goswami visited Jagannatha Puri, Mahaprabhu allocated him a residence here with Thakura Haridas. Rupa Gosvami recited Lalitha Madhava and Vidagdha Madhava under this tree before Sri Gauranga and his followers. During his stay Sanatana Gosvami also lived here. Haridasa Thakur left his body here.

There is a small temple featuring a murti of namacarya Srila Haridas Thakura in a sitting pose chanting japa. The site has extraordinary bakula tree winding and climbing around the courtyard. Tree looks like it exploded or it appears like petrified wood; completely dead. Yet it is wonderfully flourishing with lush green leaves and fragrant flowers. In another temple altar is Sadbhuja Gauranga (six-armed Gauranga) in the middle and Sri Nityananda Prabhu and Advaita Acarya. There is also a Deity of Lord Nrsimhadeva.

Holy site of Siddha-Bakula is extraordinary in its potency; not only did the tree sprout from the maha-prasadam toothbrush of Sri Jagannatha Deva, planted by the lotus hand of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, but it was the residence of Namacarya Srila Haridasa Thakura. Here, Lord Caitanya discussed with Srila Haridasa Thakura the yuga-dharma, thus establishing the true importance of the location, Siddha-Bakula.