The story of Lord Jagannath, the presiding deity of the Puri Jagannath Temple, is steeped in Hindu mythology and legends.

Here is a brief summary of the story:

According to ancient scriptures, Lord Jagannath is considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, along with his siblings Lord Balabhadra (Balarama) and Devi Subhadra. The story of Lord Jagannath is associated with the mythical kingdom of Dwaraka.

It is believed that Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, ruled over Dwaraka. After Lord Krishna's departure from Earth, the city of Dwaraka was submerged in the ocean. Lord Krishna's grandeur and divine playfulness attracted immense devotion from the people, and they yearned to continue experiencing his presence.

In response to their devotion, Lord Krishna appeared in a dream to King Indradyumna of Malwa (present-day Madhya Pradesh) and instructed him to carve an image of Lord Vishnu from a sacred log that would be found floating in the sea. The king was guided to seek the help of Vishwakarma, the divine architect, to sculpt the images.

Under Vishwakarma's guidance, the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra were carved. However, there was a condition that the artists must not be disturbed during the process. Unfortunately, the queen became impatient and opened the door prematurely, resulting in incomplete forms of the deities. Despite their incomplete state, the idols were installed in the Puri Jagannath Temple.

The significance of Lord Jagannath lies in the concept of "Nabakalebara," which translates to "new embodiment." Every 12-19 years, when an extra month is added to the lunar calendar, the idols are replaced with new ones carved from a specific neem tree. This event symbolizes the divine rejuvenation and renewal of the Lord's form.

The story of Lord Jagannath symbolizes the eternal presence and love of the divine in the lives of devotees. The Puri Jagannath Temple continues to be a place of immense reverence and devotion, attracting millions of pilgrims who seek blessings and spiritual solace from Lord Jagannath and his divine siblings.