India’s most auspicious place of cremation, known as ‘Swargadwar’, is located on the shore of the Bay of Bengal (known as Mahodadhi) about two kilometers to the south of the Sri Jagannath temple and the southeastern area of the holy city of Puri in the state of Odisha. Millions of Hindus believe that, by cremating the body at Swargadwar, the soul will attain the ultimate salvation.

On every Amavasya, Lord Jagannath (Amavasya Narayan) visits the sea (Mahodadhi), which is said to be the house of his in-laws near this cremation ground. As per the ‘Swargadwar prashasti’ of Purushottama Mahatmya in Skandha Purana, every day the gods and goddesses used to land here to visit the Lord Jagannath temple. Apart from this, there are many lore and beliefs which are spoken of by the locals of Puri. In this cremation ground, one can find ancient temples like the Smasana Kali, which witnesses all departed souls, followed by the Chinmayaswar temple and the Bhutanath temple.