Jagannath Temple - Kanathur, Chennai

Temple: Jagannath Temple
Name: Jagannath Spirtual and Cultural Centre
Primary Deity: Lord Jagannath (Lord Vishnu or Krishna)
Place: Kanathur in ECR Road, Chennai
City: Chennai
District: Chennai
State: Tamil Nadu
Country: India
Train Route: Get down in Thiruvanmiyur Railway Station in Metro Railway Transport System. If you are from outside of Chennai, come to Chennai and book a cab and ask for ECR.
Bus Route: Get down in Kanathur bus stand in ECR Road. Opposite to Maayajal is a roadside fish market. Take that road and on the first right you will find the sign board directing to the temple.
Special Days: All Days
Additional Information: This temple was built recently. The structure is similar to the one in Puri and Orissa. The temple tower the flag reminds us of the main temple in Puri. The shrine is in wood as against the traditional South Indian stone carving.
Website: http://www.jagannathtemplepuri.com/ (Puri Jagannath Temple Site. I couldn't find the site of Chennai Temple)

History of the Temple

The temple was built recently and contains similar structure of Puri Jagannath Temple in Puri, Orissa. This is very near to the sea, constructed few hundred meters away from the shore. When you eenter the Jagannanth shrine using the few steps, you will be able to see the sea and the beautiful nature.

The people in South India especially the people in Tamil Nadu visiting Orissa is very difficult and hence this was constructed.

Information on Temple and Visiting

This is a replicate of Puri Jagannath Temple in Puri, Orissa, India. Lord Jagannath or Lord Krisha is the main deity. The shrine is made of wood as against the traditional stones in South India.

Once you enter the temple, on the left water taps have been provided for washing your hands and legs before entering the sannadhis. Every sannidhi has been provided the walking path to avoid walking on the grass.

On the left is Vinayak shrine (Sannidhi). He looks different with the head slanting as if he is dancing. Opposite to his shirne is his father Siva's Sannidhi.

The Lord Siva's Sannidhi reflect Kasi Viswanath type. Sivan is also drawn on the wall which looks beautiful. If you look at the eyes, it conveys the blessing and shows the power of Lord Siva.

When you go around the any sannidhi you will few more deities are placed on the walls like Parvathi, Agni.

Then is the main deity, Lord Jagannath. Take the steps with the prayers. You are climbing up in your life to reach GOD is one of the messages I see here. Each step reflects various stumbles or opportunities we go through in the life to reach the GOD and we overcome those and reach GOD.

Pooja is done by the Pandit. The difference in the pooja is that, the Pandit gives you flowers after chanting the mantras. Keep them with you. After chanting mantra, he gives few more flowrs and water (a spoon of water) to wash your hands along with the flower. Then after chanting mantras he asks for your Gothram, Natchathiram (star), (Rasi) (sun sign), Name. He will do archana based on the details you have given him. After that, he gives you theertha prasadam and then flower and banana as prasadam.

The place is very silent and you can site there and meditate if ther is no one else. Go around the sannidhi. Do Namaskaram (lie on your stomach with both hands stretched above your head and the tips of each hands touching each other--for Men; You can bent on your knees and bow your head that it touches the grond.

Take your time to do prayers and come down with his blessings so that you can take it with you wherever you go.

Go around the sannidhi and on the back is Sannidhi of Anjaneyar (Baktha Hanuman). There are photogrphas of Lord Rama, Lord Jagannath and the used pooja items. The sannidhi is divided and the back of these photographs is Hanuman Sannidhi.

We sat in the hall for few minutes doing meditation. On the roof, you will see paintings of Krisha and other gods. On the frontside of this hall, you will find the panting describing the great epic Ramayana. With around 20 pictures, the entire Ramayana is explained.

Then is the Maa Vimala's Sannidhi. Here also you can see other deities when you go around the sannidhi.

Then is the Maa Lakshmi's Sannidhi. After you go around the sannidhi, on the left is the cultural academy.

Next is the Navagraha Sannidhi. Here all the Navagrahams--Sun, Moon, Chevvai, Budhan, Guru, Sukra, Sani, Rahu, and Kethu, are kept in line as against the South Indian style of placing them according to their sides.

From here, the gopuram (tower) view is very good. You can take pictures and I did not find any objections.

They temple has basic amneties--water and rest rooms.

Sit for a while in the place alloted. Then you can come out of the temple.

Click here for Pictures including Ramayana Description using Pictures!