The historic Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri witnessed a major gathering of devotees on Tuesday as people arrived in large numbers to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath on the occasion of Parsva Parivartana Bada Ekadashi.
From the morning, devotees continued to gather inside the temple premises and around the iconic Singhadwar, or Lion's Gate. The religious occasion brought a visible atmosphere of devotion to the temple town, with pilgrims and local residents participating in prayers and other rituals.
Devotees Participate in Bhajans and Religious Rituals
Devotees were seen participating in bhajans, chanting mantras and offering prayers inside the temple complex. Several devotees also bowed at the Singhadwar to seek blessings.
Along with local residents, a large number of pilgrims from outside Puri reached the temple to take part in the special religious observances. Temple authorities and local officials made arrangements to manage the crowd and facilitate the smooth movement of devotees during darshan and other religious activities.
According to the Panchang for Puri, September 22, 2026, falls on Shukla Paksha Ekadashi and is observed as Parsva Ekadashi. The Ekadashi tithi continues until 9:43 pm on Tuesday.
Ekadashi Known by Several Names
Parsva Parivartana Ekadashi is also known by names such as Parivartini Ekadashi, Vamana Ekadashi, Padma Ekadashi and Jaljhulani Ekadashi. It is observed on the Ekadashi tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada.
According to Hindu religious beliefs, the day is associated with Lord Vishnu changing his position while resting in the cosmic ocean during his yogic sleep. This belief is linked to the name Parsva Parivartana Ekadashi. In 2026, the observance falls on September 22.
Jagannath Temple Among the Char Dham
The Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri is a historic Hindu temple dating back to the 12th century. It is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, along with his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra.
The temple is counted among the four major Char Dham pilgrimage sites in Hinduism and is renowned for its distinctive Kalinga architectural style. It attracts large numbers of devotees throughout the year, while festivals and special religious occasions such as Ekadashi bring a heightened atmosphere of faith and devotion to the temple and its surroundings.