Atharnala is situated at outskirt of Puri Jagannath Dham of Odisha constructed during the year 1300 AD. This is a historic ancient bridge. After crossing of Atharnala, the Sri Mandir of Sri Jagnnath is seen by the pilgrims. While going to Puri, Atharnala is on the way. The length of this bridge is 290 feet. There is a saying that the piligrms arrived at Atharnala Bridge think they are at the close proximity of Sri Jagannath Temple. The blue wheel ( neel chakra) the apex part of Temple of Sri Jagnnath is visible on this bridge.
There was a river namely Malini flowing dividing the Puri Town and emerged ins the sea. That was why, during the car festival, six Rathas were constructed. Three at either side of the River . First the Lords were proceeding to Atharnala in three carts. After crossing the river Malini through boat, the lords adorned another three chariots and went to Gundicha Temple so on and so forth. After construction of a bridge namely Bada Shankha on Grand Road , car festival has been observing in three chariots. There was a branch river of Malini flowing at western side Puri namely Musa river. At that time, pilgrims had to pay boat fair while crossing the river. Pilgrims those who had no capacity to pay the boat fair, they had to wait for a week. Once a week a free fair service was introduced by the king for the poor pilgrims.
To get rid over the travel problem, a king of Ganga dynasty namely 2nd Narasingh Dev built a bridge to connect between Srikshetra Puri and Jagannath Sadak ( Road ) . The bridge as famous as Atharnala. As per information the king of Ganga dynasty Bhanu Dev had built the bridge during 13th century. There is a folk tale that king Indraduma but he failed to do so. Then he scarified his eighteen sons in the river and enabled to built the bridge. Before hand the king Maschakesari had built a bridge on mangala River (madhupur River) during 975 A.D to 995 A.D . This bridge built with stone pilars namely wave sealed process. This bridge has 19 pillars and 18 drains to pass rain water. The length of this bridge is 85 meters and 11 meter wide. As per madala panji( Almanac of jagannath temple) it is anticipated that the bridge built 13th century. The bridge has been build with sand stone . In ancient age there were 14 ghat in puri. Among 14 ghats, 10 ghats in the bank of river and rest 4 ghats at seashore. Atharnala was famous as River ghat. To protect the city and temple, kings appointed Pratihari servitors as Ghat pratihari. They were guarding Ghats round the clock in turn basis.
