Puri is also known as Sankha Kshetra

Puri is also known as Sankha Kshetra

 (Conch-shaped region). There are various interpretations of this designation. Some interpretations given by Tantric and other sects are too complicated to be understood by common people like us. But the interpretation given by Late Pt. Sadashiva Rath Sharma and seconded by scholars like O.M. Starza in his seminal work ‘The Jagannatha Temple at Puri and its Deities’ (E.J. Brill, Amsterdam, 1983) is most credible. According to these distinguished scholars, apart from Jagannath Temple, the region Puri is being dotted with a number of Shiva and Shakti temples, some of which are older than Jagannath Temple itself. If all these dotted temples are joined by a line, it takes shape of a Dakshinabarti Sankha with Jagannath Temple at the centre. Dakshinabarti Sankha is one of the Ayudhas of Lord Vishnu and He also resides in its central point as per scriptures. The present religio-geographic position of Jagannath Temple is very much in conformity with the interpretations given in scriptures. Sankha Kshetra is total 10 miles length with some parts submerged under the sea.