Emarmatha
A huge building in front of the Lion’s Gate of the Jagannath Temple at Puri is known as Emara Matha. Here, (the head man-Mahanta) is surnamed traditionally as Ramanujadas. It is said in the 12th century Ramanujacharya from South India came to Puri in order to see Lord Jagannath. He was the propounder of Bisistadvaitavada. Jagannath, in the way of his iconography and the mode of worship, satisfied this saint. He felt his ”Bisistadvaita is reflected in the cult of Jagannatha and so he permanently settled here in this Matha.
The foreign visitors, who are not Hindus, are able to see the Temple of Jagannath from the fourth floor of this Matha as they are not allowed to get into the temple. The gate way of this Matha exhibits the ancient art of Orissa. There is a very good library (Raghunandan pathagara) functioning here in the 1st floor of this building
