Reference to the connection of Indradyumna Maharaj to Lord Jagannatha and Puri can be found in Skanda Purana, Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, Niladri Mahodaya, and Madala Panji.

Indradyumna Raja was the pious ruler of Malava. His capital was Avanti Nagar (Ujjain). He was a great ruler and his kingdom was as prosperous as the Swargaoka itself. 

Once, the Maharaj asked in his court: Does anyone know a place where Lord Vishnu is worshiped as the Lord of the universe (Jagannatha)? 

An old man got up and said: Yes, it is Purushottam Srikshetra in Udra-Desha (Odisha). After saying this the old man disappeared.

The king instructed his brother Bidyapati to locate the place. After traveling hundreds of kilometers, Bidyapati reached Srikshetra. There he met Biswabasu, the chief of the Sabar community. He said that on top of Neelakandhara (Neelagiri), he worshiped Sri Neelamadhab (Neela Madhava). He was in the form of a Blue Sapphire gemstone. Bidyapti revealed his identity and the purpose of his visit to Biswabasu.

Biswabasu also told Bidyapati that he had heard an oracle that someday Indradyumna Maharaj would come looking for Neelmadhab.

Bidyapati’s mission was accomplished. He returned to Avanti Nagar and reported to the King. Indradyumna set out towards Puri accompanied by Sage Narada but by the time he reached there, Neelamadhab had disappeared. 

Due to the presence of Neelamadhab there, all those who died at Srikshetra used to attain Vaikuntha rather than go to Yamaloka. Yamaraja complained about this to Lord Vishnu who told him that once Indradyumna Maharaj arrives at Srikshetra, Neelamadhab would disappear from there.

King Indradyumna was told by Sage Narada that it was his duty to spread the glory of Lord Jagannatha all over the world. As soon as he reached Srikshetra, Indradyumna got the darshan of Lord Nrusingha and he built a temple for him.

It was Indradyumna Maharaj who built the grand temple for Sri Jagannatha and installed the idols made from Sree-Daru found floating in the sea near Shree Bilweswar Mahadev.

Knowledge Bank

Who founded Sanatana Dharma?

Sanatana Dharma is not founded by any single individual or prophet. Instead, it is eternal and have no beginning or end.

What are Asuras?

In the Vedic age, the Aryans considered Indra as the king of Devas. But the Vedas depict Varuna also as equal in power to Indra. A group of Aryans under Zaratustra became rebellious and started worshiping Varuna as the supreme power. They created their own four Vedas and a script called Kharoshti which was written from right to left. In their yajnas, Varuna was given offerings as the chief of Devas. This group of Aryans who settled to the west of the Indus river were known as Asuras. They were always in conflict with Devas and their followers. Subsequently, all enemies of Devas became known as Asuras. This term now represents Daityas, Danavas, and Rakshasas also.