Odisha Golden Tringle

This is a brand new interpretation centre set up by the Indian Oil Foundation for an introduction to the world heritage monument - the Konark Sun Temple. All tourists should keep aside 30-45 minutes for this place before going into the Sun Temple for enhancing their experience.

This centre tells the story of the construction and the fall of the sun temple with beautiful replicas and a superb audio visual introduction (better than any guide). The 15 minute animation movie in these superb auditorium will be particularly interesting for kids. For adults there are galleries depicting the nuances of the temple architecture in Odisha and India along with several miniature replicas. All halls are air-conditionied and the centre includes a restaurant and clean toilets.

Chandrabhaga Beach is situated three km east of the Sun temple of Konark, in the Puri district in the state of Odisha, India. It is 30 km from the city of Puri. Formerly Chandrabhaga was considered a place of natural cure for lepers.

Chandrabhaga Beach is situated three km east of the Sun temple of Konark, in the Puri district in the state of Odisha, India. It is 30 km from the city of Puri. Formerly Chandrabhaga was considered a place of natural cure for lepers

Walking down the empty beach, with the setting sun on the horizon is just magical. That’s what Chandrabhaga offers to its visitors. Located at the Konark, the abode of the magnificent Sun Temple, the beach is known for its stunning sunrise and sunset.As per legend Sambha son of Lord Krishna prayed here to the Sun God and through the latter’s blessings he got rid of leprosy. Thus the beach has an important spiritual significance in Odisha.

It’s also the venue of the famous “International sand Art Festival” where renowned sand artists from all over the globe converge to showcase their craft. The five day long festival attracts large number of tourists and locals alike.

Things To Do : -

• Often the best thing to do when you are in a setting as beautiful as this, is to do nothing at all.
• Boating in the calm waters of the sea is an enthralling experience. Enlist the services of the local boats stationed at the beach. But take necessary precautions.
• For those who seek adventure, there are camps along the marine drive from Puri to Konark which offers options in water sports.
• Always enlist the help of a Nulia (Lifeguard) before venturing into the sea.

Nabakalebara is a festival observed in the Shree Jagannath Temple at Puri at a predefined time according to Hindu Calender. Naba means new and Kalebara is body. Lord Shree Jagannath adorns a new body during Nabakalebara. It is the re-embodiment of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Sudarshan when they relinquish their old bodies and assume a new one. However, the Brahma padartha (soul-substance) remains the same. The soul or the Brahma is transferred from the old idols to their new bodies in a highly technical and conspicious manner at the dead of night very secretly.

The year of Nabakalebara is when the full moon occurs twice during the month of Ashadha. Every three years in the Hindu calendar, a lunar month is excluded from the calculation to maintain a balance between lunar and solar years. This period is called Malamasa. A year with an extra month (adhimasa) is considered auspicious for the ceremony, which typically occurs every twelve to nineteen years. The three deities undergo the process of Nabakalebara in the year in which the adhimasa falls The deities are carved from a special type of neem wood, known as daru bramha. Preparations for the ceremony begin in the month of Chaitra. The most recent ceremony was on 29.05.2015, 19 years after the 1996 ceremony.

"The Nabakalebara niti is observed in a gap of 12 to 19 years. Most of the Nabakalebars are performed after a gap of almost 19 years as in 1912, 1931, 1950, 1969, 1977 and 1996. The Brahmapadartha (soul-substance) remains the same. The soul or the Brahma is transferred from the old idols to their new bodies & this is going on from long long back.

The making of new idols are done in a sacred manner obeying all the formalities in the Baikunthadam, on the other hand the bodies of old idols are buried in the burial ground ie, at Koili, observing all the formalities.

Never miss to visit Koili baikuntha , when you are in Lord Jagannath Temple, Puri .