PURI
The Abode of Lord Jagannath

It is believed that the deities Balabhadra, Subhadra and Jagannath represent respectively the three major sects of Hinduism-Saivism, Sakteism and Vaishnavism, and standing on one and the same pedestal, they are establishing the essential unity of mankind and equality among their children. Hence the attraction for all the three sects. Another version says that the three images are the symbolical figures of the Buddhist Triad-Buddha, Dharma and Sangha; and so visited by the Bhuddhists in large numbers. Regarding the popularity and fame of the temple, many stories are calculated. According to one, the spirit of Brahma is embedded in the breast of Jagannath and it is the main cause for the unprecedented popularity, universality and sanctity ; the place. Some believe that a piece of the bone of Lord Krishna is enshrined in the bosom of Jagannath. Yet others hazard a guess that the breast of Jagannath encases a tooth of Lord Buddha. The claims of several others may appear fantastic and baseless, but none can deny, or refute with evidence of the unearthly glory of Lord Jagannath. 

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