Shree Jagannath Ballav Math is located at Market Square on the Grand Road (Bada Danda) in Puri, positioned between the Shree Jagannath Temple and the Gundicha Temple. The matha (monastery) and its garden lie at the center of this sacred stretch. To the east of the matha lies the Grand Road, to the west is Markandeshwar Sahi, to the north is Chudanga Sahi, and to the south is Narendra Pushkarini (sacred tank).
According to researchers, the word Ballav means “beloved.” Since this garden was especially dear and delightful to Lord Jagannath, it came to be known as “Jagannath Ballav Math.” Although there is no definitive historical evidence regarding its establishment, some scholars suggest that this was a seat of Adi Vishnuswami. As Vishnuswami was part of the lineage of Ray Ramananda, it is believed that Ray Ramananda once resided in this garden of Jagannath Ballav Math. It is even said that during the Gundicha Yatra (Rath Yatra), Shree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu stayed at this math and had the fortune of being in the company of Ray Ramananda.
This is mentioned in the Chaitanya Charitamrita:
“Jagannath Ballav is a grand flower garden
Where the Lord rested for nine days.”
On the other hand, some British-era documents mention that the Jagannath Ballav Math was originally a garden (bagicha) associated with the Jagannath Temple. Scholar Mahimohan Tripathy notes this in his article “Mathas of Puri.” It is also worth noting that the Jagannath Ballav Math is one of the most prominent mathas of the Vishnuswami sect in Puri.
Researcher Shri Sarat Chandra Mahapatra, in his book Shree Jagannath Parikrama, states that this matha was founded in the 17th century by a celibate saint (brahmachari) of the Vishnuswami tradition.
The garden of this matha is visited by the moving deities of Lord Jagannath during various festivals. Ray Ramananda, a close associate of Shri Chaitanya, while disengaged from his administrative duties in the South, composed the Sanskrit play Jagannath Ballav while residing in this matha.
Environmental Degradation in Recent Times
Unfortunately, the once lush and eco-friendly garden of Jagannath Ballav Math has lost much of its natural charm due to modernization and developmental activities. A large number of coconut trees have been lost, particularly due to the impact of Mahavatya (a destructive storm) and tree-cutting initiatives in the name of area development. Only a small portion of the original garden now remains, diminishing the serene, green legacy that once surrounded the sacred site.
