The coastal city of Puri is located in the eastern city of Odisha (Orissa) at a distance of 60 km from the capital city of Bhubaneswar. Puri situated on the Bay of Bengal coast is one of the seven sacred cities for the Hindus in India and is a part of the Char Dhaam Yatra. It is home to the Lord of the Universe, the famous Jagannath temple that dominates the landscape of the city. The ancient city is dotted with many sacred temples and sanctuaries, golden beaches with miles of yellow sand and glorious lakes. It is one of the most frequented tourist destinations in Orissa. The historic heritage of the city dates back to 3rd century BC.
One of the major highlights of the city is Rath Yatra or Car Festival of Lord Jagannath. Millions of people gather at this holy place every year to pull the royal chariots of the Lord, Balabhadra and Subhadra during the annual Rath Yatra Festival. Another festival, which attracts many tourists is the Puri Beach Festival which is celebrated in the month of November every year.
Places of Tourist interest in Puri
Jagannath Temple
Jagannath Temple dedicated to the Lord of the Universe is one of the most impressing monuments of Puri. Considered to be a manifestation of Lord Krishna, Lord Jagannath seats in this grand temple in Puri. It was constructed by a famous king of Ganga Dynasty by the name Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva way back in 12th century. It is the one of finest example of Oriya school of architecture. The Jagannath temple is surrounded by a fortified wall and contains within it a large number of smaller shrines. The main sanctum houses the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra and the idols of the lords at Puri are all made up of wood. At the temple's main Singhadwara entry there is a 33-foot-tall, 16-sided pillar known as the Aruna Stambha. This pillar was brought here from Konark's famous Sun temple complex in the 18th century. One of the most popular attractions of the Jagannatha Temple of Puri is the Annual Rath Yatra. The Mahaprasada at Jagannath temple consists of 56 different types of Bhog that are prepared in different phases daily.
Read More: Puri Rath Yatra Live Video Streaming, Where to Stay in Puri, How to Reach Puri, Special Rath Yatra Trains
Gundicha temple
Gundicha temple is located 2 kms from the main Jagannath Temple. It is the abode to which Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra visit for seven days during the Rath Yatra during the Car Festival. It is shaped like a dome crowned with Lord Vishnu’s Sudarshan. The temple is surrounded by a wall and stands in the middle of garden. The temple has been named after the King Indradyumna, who was also known by the name 'Gundicha' because he was the one who laid the foundation for establishment of this temple.
Mausima Temple
In in between ‘Gundicha Temple’ and Singha Dwara’ of the Temple of Jagannath lies the shrine of the Goddess, Ardhamsini or Ardhasini who drank half the water that once flooded Puri. The temple is popularly referred as Mousima (aunt) of Jagannath. Lord Jagannath halts here to taste the rice preparation poda pitha during the Rath Yatra.
Markandesvara Temple
Markandeyesvara Temple is a 13th century Shiva temple which resembles the other two famous Shiva temples in Orissa namely Vaital Deul Temple and Sisiresvara Temple. In the front of the temple there is a figure of Nataraja with ten arms. And there is a carved image of Mahishasuramardini adorned with four arms.
Lakshmi Temple
Lakshmi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and is situated near to Jagnaath temple. This temple plays a very important role in the Rath Yathra. It is believed that when the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati takes place on the sixth day of bright fortnight of Jyeshta, Goddess Lakshmi invites them to this shrine.
Loknath Temple
Loknath Temple of Puri is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple was built in 11th century. It is believed that the lingam in this temple was established by Lord Rama with the help of a Lauka or Pumpkin. The unique feature of this shivling is that it always is submerged under the water. As per beliefs Goddess Ganga flows as a stream of water through the head of the shivling. It is said that the lord here has the power to heal to all heath related problems. The most important festival that is celebrated at this temple is the Saranti Somobar Fair.
Swargadwar Beach
Swargadwar Beach is located at a distance of approximately two kilometres from the Jagannath Temple. This place along the seashore has great religious significance. It is said that his was the bathing place of Sri Chaithanyadev a renowned prophet of the Vaishnava sect. Shri Chaitanyadev is said to have merged in Lord Brahma here and gone to heaven. Many devotees visit this beach to take a dip in the sea as it is believed that taking a holy dip in its waters opens the gateway to heaven.
Puri Beach
Puri beach in Orissa attracts thousands of tourists throughout the year. It is one of the most fascinating beaches in the state. The golden glowing sands, the scintillating waves and serene ambience of the beach draw tourists from far and wide. It is also the venue for The Puri beach festival held during November. The festival is a blend of the crafts, cuisines and culture of Orissa and is one of the main attractions here.
Narendra Tank
Narendra Tank located at Mauza Dandimala Sah is one of the largest tanks in Orissa and is believed to be built in the 15th century. Narendra tank is considered as a holy tank and has many temples in its vicinity. The tank has a shrine called ‘Chandana Mandapa’ located at its centre. The well-known Chandana Yatra of Lord Jagannath is celebrated every year at this tank.
Puri is also home to a number of other temples such as the shrines of Daria Mahaveer, Indradyumna and Swetha Ganga.There are a few commonly visited maths in Puri like the Suna Goswami Math, the Jagannath Ballav Math and the Govardhana Math.
Tourist Attraction Around Puri
Raghurajpur
Raghurajpur is 12Km from Puri . This is a Heritage Craft Village of Orissa and is a must visit tourist destination. Here every other inhabitant is a skilled artist. The village is famous for its Pattachitra painters who have mastered this art form. This village is also the hometown of Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra, one of the most renowned Odissi dancer.
Chilika Lake
Chilika Lake is 50 km south west of Puri. It is Asia’s largest salt water lagoon and stretches over an area of 1,100 sq. km . Chilka Lake is also a bird sanctuary and is home to a vast congregation of migratory avifauna that come here every winter from different parts of the world. The Irrawady dolphins and red crabs are some of the other unique features of this lake. the lake is a very popular picnic spot and provides ample opportunities for boating, fishing and bird watching.
Konark
Sun temple of Konark is one of the most famous temples of Odisha. The temple is located on the shores of Bay of Bengal. It is a World Heritage Monument and is at a distance of 36 km from Puri. Konark Sun Temple is a 13th century Sun Temple and is also known as the Black Pagoda. The temple known for its exquisite architecture was built by King Narasimha of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. The temple which signifies the glory of the Sun God is in the form of a Chariot of the Sun god with 12 pairs of exquisitely decorated giant wheels and drawn by seven horses.
Sakhigopal
Sakhigopal is a famous pilgrimage site located at distance of 22 km from Puri. It is located at Satyabadi near Puri. Sakhigopal temple dedicated to lord Krishna resembles a miniature of the Puri Jagannath Temple. There is a life size idol of Lord Krishna with flute and Goddess Radha on his left. The idol of Lord Krishna was bought here by King Prataprudra Deva after winning battle against Kanchi. The annual fair held here on the Anla Nabami day in the month of Kartika is a major attraction.
Balighai Beach
Balighai is 8 km from Puri. This is a popular picnic spot at the point where the River Nuanai meets the sea. The sandy beaches, Casuarina fringes and scenic locales attracts many tourists. The Sea Turtle Research Center situated at the beach also attracts many enthusiasts.
How to reach Puri
The nearest airport is Biju Patnaik airport at Bhubaneswar which is at a distance of 60 km from Puri. The airport is linked with all the major cities of India, such as Kolkata, Delhi and Hyderabad, by direct flights. Puri is a major railway junction. Regular trains operate from the city and connect it to all the major cities within the state as well in the country like Bhubaneswar, New Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, and Kolkata. Puri has a good network of roads, connecting it with the major parts of India. Orissa road transport corporation buses connect Puri to many cities in Orissa as well neighbouring states like Bhubaneswar, Konark, Kolkata etc.
Accommodation
Puri has plenty of accommodation options that range from luxury star hotels to budget hotels which cater to the varying budgets of the tourists.