Toshali Sands

Now let us enter the Temple from lion’s gate (Eastern Gate) with Aruna Stamba which is 34 ft. high and one single stone pillar. Aruna the charioteer of Sun God is found on the top. This pillar was originally in the front of the Konark Temple, brought to Puri by Marathas in 17th century AD. There is a Temple reception office to attend to your queries. The entrance is designed like piddha deul foxed with Navagrahas and Dasavatara images and decorated side walls. Now, entering into the Fumuta, one can find the image of Lorf Jagannath known as Patitapavana. Patitpavana can be viewed by anybody from outside even Non-Hindus as they are not allowed to enter in to the Temple. Other images like Narsimha and Hanumana are also seen.

As you enter, the Baisipahacha or 22 steps revered by Hindu community as sacred confronts and you have to walk on it. The ‘Sradha’, annual rites of Hindus are usually performed here. Many Brahamanas sit here for these sacred rituals. On the left, you find the Kasiviswanath Temple which is equivalent to Viswanath Siva of Kasi having a darshan.

Then, smaller Temples of Ramchandra and Narsimha known as Chaitanya Narsimha and image of Ganesh can be seen. At the end of Baisipahach, one has to cross the second entrance i.e. Kuruma Vedha. Now one usually takes to left with Agniswar Mahadeva and cross the gangway to reach the Satyanarayan Temple