Aruna Stambha, located in Puri, Orissa, is one of the most famous places to visit near the Jagannath temple. This pillar is dedicated to Aruna, who is the charioteer of the sun god. The pillar is made up of monolithic chlorite, and the height of this pillar is 34 feet. This pillar has 16 sides. It is one of the gates at Jagannath Temple, known as the lion gateway. Many people visit this place to worship the idol. The pillar’s base is carved with military scenes, and the top of this pillar is carved into Lotus petals with the idol of Aruna on top. The idol of Aruna is facing the sun and praying to him. This pillar is known to be very beautiful to look at. It is believed that this pillar was brought from the Konark Sun Temple, which was built by King Langula Narsingha Dev. This pillar is known to have been built in the 13th century and is nearly 700 years old. After this pillar was bought in the 18th century, it was placed in front of the Simha dwara of the Jagannath Temple, and people worshipped it as the sun pillar. Devotees from all over the place perform rituals for the idol of Aruna every day. The priests also perform daily rituals.
Places To Visit Near Aruna Stambha
Here are a few places to visit near Aruna Stambha to learn more about Pune.
1. Lingaraj Temple
Image Credit: Chinmayee Mishra for Wikimedia Commons
Lingaraj Temple, located in Pune, Orissa, is one of the oldest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the most famous tourist destinations in this place and is also the largest temple in the town. The town’s tower is nearly 180 feet in the style of Kalinga architecture. It is believed to have been built by the Soma Vamsi dynasty. There are almost 108 other temples inside this compound. The temple has many pictures of Lord Vishnu, and the main idol inside the temple is Lingaraj, who is Lord Shiva. There are nearly 6,000 visitors every day and thousands of visitors during festivals. The temple was believed to be built in the 6th century but was again renovated in the 11th century. The stone of Lord Shiva is naturally erected in this temple, known as Shakti or Swayambhu. There are 64 different places in India with Swayambhu Lingam, and this temple is one of them. Shivaratri is the most celebrated festival in this temple, with bhajans, celebrations, rituals and poojas going on throughout the night.
Timings: 6 AM to 12 PM & 3 PM to 9 PM
Entry Fees: Free Entry
Must Read: Tourist Places In Odisha
2. Ramalingeswara Park
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Ramalingeshwar Park, located in Brahmapur, Odisha, is one of the best places to have a fun weekend. This place is lovely, with water on all sides. This place is the best destination for families to spend their time. Many activities are happening in this park, like Ramalingeshwara temple scene gardens, music, laser show picnic spots, and recreational zones. This park is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:50 p.m., with an entry fee of Rs 10 for adults and Rs 5 for children. People who have taken the music and laser show tickets can stay back until 9:00 p.m. The prices for music and laser shows are Rs 30 for adults, Rs 20 for children on Tuesday and Wednesday and Rs 50 for adults, and Rs 30 for children on Thursday to Sunday.
Timings: 3 PM to 9 PM
Entry Fees: INR 20 Onwards
3. Nalbana Bird Sanctuary
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Nalbana Bird Sanctuary, also known as Nalbana Island, is located on the banks of Chilika Lake, Odisha, and is one of the most beautiful places to visit. This park has thousands of birds, especially during the migrating season. These birds usually disappear during the monsoon season. The word Nalbana translates to a weed-covered Island in Odia. This place is an island in the centre of the lake. This island is completely submerged during the monsoon season, so there are not many birds found during this time. But as the monsoon goes down and winter rises, the water level rises, and the island is clear with thousands of birds. This place was declared as a sanctuary in 1973.
Various types of birds are found in the sanctuary. Some are flamingos from Iran, grey herons, purple heron storks, black-headed Ibis, Mars Harris and one of the world’s most famous birds, peregrine falcons, geese, coots, teals and many more. This sanctuary has been acting as a refugee for thousands of birds. When it is extremely cold, many birds migrate from Siberia, China, Japan, and other countries. Many photographers were enthusiastic about nature and bird photography, so they definitely visited this place.
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
Entry Fees: Free Entry
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Puri
4. Sudarshan Crafts Museum
Image Credit: Sumit Surai for Wikimedia Commons
Sudarshan Craft Museum, located in Puri, Odisha, is a famous tourist destination for art lovers. This museum was started in 1977 by Sri Sudarshan Sahu. There are many beautiful collections and artworks by Sudarshan Sahu. There are many wood carvings, stone carvings, fibre glass carvings, handicraft items, and paintings by Sudarshan Sahu that are stunning to look at. Only the metal figures and stone carvings in this museum are for sale. Many Buddhist artists present their artwork in this museum. It also gives a platform for any artist to express their craft work in the work rooms and display it in the showroom. There are also many ancient sculptures found in the museum.
Timings: 8 AM to 12 PM
Entry Fees: INR 5 Onwards
5. Bedi Hanuman Temple
Image Credit: Rajesh Dhungana for Wikimedia Commons
Bedi Hanuman Temple, located in Puri, Odisha, is one of the most famous temples. It is located on the banks of a small sea. This temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, who has been chained. When Lord Hanuman went to Ayodhya without informing Lord Vishnu, the Jagannath temple was getting damaged because of the Varuna river water getting inside. When Lord Hanuman came back, Lord Jagannatha tied his hands and feet with rope so that Lord Hanuman wouldn’t go anywhere and protect the temple and hence its name. This temple is open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with rituals going on throughout the day.
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
Entry Fees: Free Entry
Further Read: Things To Do In Puri
The divine Puri is a must-visit travel destination, as you can visit numerous revered temples at once, including the Aruna Stambha. If you are in desperate need of divine intervention, you should add Puri to your itinerary of a trip to Odisha. You can also relax at Puri’s serene and stunning beaches, a perfect holiday destination suitable for a long vacation or a short sojourn.
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Cover Image credit : By Kumarnihar for Wikimedia Commons.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aruna Stambha
Are there any activities to do in Puri?
Yes, there are many, like visiting bird sanctuaries, photography, boating, going to the beach, visiting museums and many more.
Which festival is the most celebrated in the Jagannath Temple?
The Rath Yatra is held once a year, is known to be very famous, and is celebrated throughout the town with beautiful decorations and rituals for Jagannath.
What are the most famous places in Odisha?
There are many well known places in Odisha, Jagannath Temple, Konark Sun Temple, Lingaraj Temple, Chilika Lake, and Bhubaneswar.
Is there availability of lodging in Puri?
Yes, there are lodges with basic amenities provided to the tourist, with budget-friendly options, different lake-view options, food availability, and many more.
What is the importance of Aruna Stambha?
Aruna Stambha is known for its beautiful architecture and has 16 sides. It is an idol of Aruna, who is a charioteer of the Sun god.
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