^{Om Namo Bhagavate Vāsudevāya}

Viṣṇukhaṇḍa

Chapter 1

Once, the sages gathered around maharṣi Jaimini and addressed him, “ O great one! You have the knowledge of the entire śāstras and you know the greatness of all the pilgrimages. Earlier you had mentioned the name of the most sacred and great pilgrimage called Puruṣottama kṣetra (region), where paramapuruṣa Śrī-Iśa Lord Nārāyaṇa Himself has assumed the form of a wooden body by emerging from a glow of light. Such is the greatness of the place that anyone having a glimpse of the lord is liberated instantaneously. Please describe to us in detail as to who constructed this great kṣetra and how it came into being. Tell us, how is it possible for Nārāyaṇa to exist in a wooden form”. Jaimini replied that he had heard the details of this kṣetra from Kārtikeya, when he had narrated it atop Mandār Parvat (mountain) in a gathering of gods and learned men.  Those who hear these narrations are freed from the evils of tamo guṇa but those who are not inclined towards Viṣṇu, will remain indifferent upon hearing such descriptions. Jagannath, who is the cause of all creation and destroyer of sins, exists in many pilgrimages, but this kṣetra is the most superior, as the Lord Himself exists here in His own body. The great God Himself assumed a wooden form and established himself in this temple. Those who visit the place have their sins destroyed and those who view the Lord are fortunate beyond description.