Shankh Kshetr (Sanskrit: शंख ख्सेत्र | Oriya: ସମ୍ଖ କ୍ଷେତ୍ର) Orissa , India

Sankh Khsetra (Sanskrit: संख ख्सेत्र | Oriya: ସମ୍ଖ କ୍ଷେତ୍ର) {Meaning: A Conch shell shaped holy region} is one of the 4 sacred sections of Puri City, Orissa, India. This region is also known as Puri Dham with 115 prominent locations, geographically oriented in a Conch shell shaped premise that includes Sri Jangannatha swamy temple (abode to Balabhadra, Jagannatha and Subhadra)  at its core.

The sacred lands of Orissa is divided into four kshetras (regions). These kshetras are named after the four weapons of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu:

• Shankh Kshetr (Conch shell shaped region) ~ Puri  (also known as Puri Dham)
• Chakra Kshetr  (Disc) ~ Bhubaneswar
• Gada Kshetr (Mace) ~ Jaipura
• Padma (Lotus) ~ Konark

The geographical shape of Puri city resembles a right handed (leaning) conch shell (Dakshinavarta Sankha). The area covers approximately 10 square miles, of which 36% is beneath the sea levels. Within and along the edges of these sacred lands are the 115 abodes of Puri Dham (abodes) such as temples, shrines, matahs, tanks, trees, and other sacred sites. The center of Shankha-kshetra seats ancient temple Puri Jagannath (abode of lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhardra) on a hillock known as Nilagiri (Blue Hills). To the west lies the broad end of the shankha, where Lokanath Temple is situated, one of eight Shiva temples in the Holy Dham. The cone, or apical end of the shankha points to the east, and another Shiva temple is located there, the Nilakantha Temple.

Lord Jagannatha’s temple has nine gates, eight being in the four directions, along two boundary walls, and one existing in the etheric realm. The enormous wall surrounding the main temple complex is known as Meghanada Pacheri. Many streets, or sahi branch out from the temple, running in all directions and leading to the other 114 tirthas, thirthams, etc. in shankha-kshetra.

1. First Fold: The innermost fold forms abodes the navel (core) divine platform on which the Lord Jagannath with his elder brother Balabhadra and their sister Subhadra are presiding.
2. Second fold: Its the outer layer of the first or the innermost fold, is hexagonal in shape to the following forms:
   • 4 goddesses of power (Bimala, Kamala, Sarbamangala and Uttaral)
   • two tirthas (Rohinikunda and Pranitodakakunda)
   • 2 sacred trees (Kalpapadapa and Salmalitaru)
   • Garuda (vehicle of Lord Vishnu) at the top of the Nilgiri hill which is convex like the back of a tortoise.
3. Third fold: Central part of the lotus-like structure having eight petals, each inlaid with an idol of Lord Shiva and a goddess. These deities are responsible for watching and guarding the first fold having the Supreme Lord at the centre of the sacred complex.
   • The eight Shivas are Agneswar, Bateswar, Khetrapaleswar, Chakreswar, Baikuntheswar, Pataleswar, Isaneswar, and Lokeswar.
   • The eight goddesses are Dwarabasini, Mahabajreswari, Swanabhairabi, Bhadrakali, Bhubaneswari, Mahakaliaghorea, Sitala, and Jagnyeswari.
4. Fourth fold: Resembles convex surface of the temple precinct (Mahakurma) and the inner compound wall.
5. Fifth fold: An outer layer of the fourth fold, is again the seat of another eight Shivas and eight goddesses. The Shivas are Bisweswar, Markandeswar, Mahakaleswar, Karnameswar, Mukteswar, Ugreswar, Kapilalochana and Agreswer. The goddesses are Bisweswari, Saptamatrika, Dakshinkali, Charchika, Alameswari, Barahi, Banadurgeswari and Basulikeswari. These deities are also in charge of watch and ward functions of the sacred complex.
6. Sixth fold: Assumes four sacred ashrams as follows:
   • Angirs to the east,
   • Pandu in the west,
   • Markandeya in the north, and
   •  Bhrigu in the south.
7. The seventh fold: Outermost zone consists of the sentries of the Shankha Kshetra and two pilgrim centres.

Artist performing Shankhasura at a play.

This place is named after demon Shankhasura who was killed by Lord Vishnu. Shankhasura was born from the sweat of demon Madhu. Lord Vishnu killed demon Madhu when he was on the verge of killing Brahma. Shankhasura wanted to avenge demon Madhu’s death. Shankasura thus pleased Shiva by his penance and attained knowledge to tantras. While he was learning Tantra he could hear the recitation of veda. Rishi Yagnavalkya was learning Yajur veda from Brahma at the moment. Shankhasura wanted to learn the recitation and he asked Shiva for the source. Shiva instructed him to go to Brahma to learn the Vedamantra. But Brahma had already distributed the four Vedas among his disciples, so Brahma refused to teach him Vedamantra. Shankhasura was enraged and he took away the four Vedas from the disciples forcibly and hid them in the sea. Lord Vishnu took on the incarnation of “Meen” to search for the demon. The demon hid in the Kalpa Vriksha inside the present temple. Lord Vishnu tried to kill the demon. The demon hid in a conch. Vishnu used teh Sudarshan chakra but the hard conch diverted the chakra.Finally Vishnu killed the demon with his Brahmastra. Shiva was furious at the death of his disciple. The assembled gods pleased Shiva by singing “Vedasara Staba” (glories of Shiva). He requested Vishnu to name the place as Shankha kshetra after the name of Shankhasura. The proposal was accepted and the place was named as “Shankha kshetra”.

Following is a list of the 115 transcendental sites located in Puri Shankha-kshetra.