PURI: Land Of Lord Jagannath

One of the original Chardhum pilgrimage sites for Hindu is Puri which is located in the state of Odisha in eastern India.It is a district city situated on the Bay of Bengal ,about 60 Km away from the state capital of Bhubanedwar.The place is famous for Jagnath Temple which was constructed on 12th century by king Anatavarman Chodaganga Deva (1077-1150).The costal city is also known as Jagnath Puri and famous for Hindu festival Ratha Yatra.The  historic city Puri is known by several name since ancient time such as a local name“srikhetra”and lord Jagnath temple known as “Badadula”.This is one of the histric heritage city elected under the scheme of  Indian government  “Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana”. This is a city of art and culture and apart from all festivals the Puri Beach Festival has got a point of attraction which held on in the beginning of November every year. This place is also famous for sand art created on sea beaches. An institute of golden sand art was established in 1995 by famous sand artists of Odisha Sudarshan Patnaik.
This is an international tourist spot the local economy dependent on tourism. The Orissa Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) is taking steps for more development and conducting tour program for various locations from Puri. The climate is tropical having Humidity is fairly high. In summer the maximum temperature touches 36°C and in winter minimum are about 17 °C.The average annual rainfall is 1330 mm.Season for the tourists is available for all over the year but has a special attraction for the festival especially like Ratha Yatra or Chariot Festival.

Attractions of Puri. 

SEA  BEACH OF PURI: The attraction of the golden beach of Puri is eternal for any sea beach lover either in India or all over the world. The beach offers colorful experience of sun rise and sun set. If you want to enjoy more and more of the nature you need to spend your time in the every morning and evening on this long sandy beach.you will get a lot of entertainments like a horse or camel ride on the beach..At the time of beach festivals you will enjoy various cultural programs and exhibitions.on the sea beach you find various products made up of different types of sea shell, handloom products and famous pipili appliqué products.

SHREE JAGANNATH PURI TEMPLE: This is the central attraction of Puri where a lot of ancient stories are associated with it.Because of this temple Puri is one dhum among four dhum which are the most sacred pilgrimage places of Hindu.the meaning Jagannath is the lord of the universe, a deity worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists.The most famous festival related to the god of this temple is Ratha Yatra or chariot festival. The starting point of this world famous festival held in July.

 GOBARDHAN MATH: This is one of the four cardinal math founded by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE.The math has historical connections  with  Jagannath temple. An Indian philosopher Padmapadacharya  the disciple of Adi Snakaracharcharya was the first head of this math in the 8th century CE. This is ofcouse one of the most important historical math situated in Puri.

SWARGARWAR:This holy place of Hindus is situated on a sandy beach towards the southwestern corner of the town.This is a cremation ground of Hindu where Goddess Smasana Kali is situated and it is believed that Goddess Kali is the proof for all heaven going soul.

SHREE LOKENATH TEMPLE: This is a historical temple situated around 205Km on the west from Jagannath Temple.The local people believe that the was founded by Lord Ramachandra and the reason for that it is very important from the religious point of view. The main  attraction of the temple is Shivalinga preserve at the innermost chamber of the temple.

SUMAR GOURANGA TEMPLE: This is a temple of Lord Gauranga situated at the northern end of the town,distance is bout 3 Km from Lord Jagannath Temple.

BEDI  HANUMAN TEMPLE: The temple is known as Daria Mahabir Temple.in local language Daria means the sea and Mahabir is lord Hanuman. This temple is very important from local cultural and religious point of view. It is believed that Daria Mahabir protects against the fury of the sea.

CHAKRATIRTHA TEMPLE: The temple situated on the northern side of the town and the distance is 3Km from the lord Jagnnath temple.The temple is dedicated to lord Nrusingha and locally famous as carious names like Chakra Narasima Temple,chakra Nrusingha Temple and chakra Narayana Temple.The temple has close association with the lord Jagnnath temple and the every year the Agnyamala from the lord Jagnnath comes to lord Nrusingha.the important religious festival is Narasimha Janma.

MAUSIMA TEMPLE:The temple situated almost the middle of the grand road,at Balagandi square.this small temple is dedicated to Goddess Mausima.The goddess Mausima also known as Ardhasini.this temple is directly associated with Jagnnath temple.

GUNDICHA TEMPLE:This temple is situated about 3 Km away from the lord Jagnnath temple and it is.govern  by the authority of Jagnnath Temple.The temple exemplifies the architecture of typical Kalinga where it is built by using light gray sandstone. The center of the temple has   beautiful garden,surrounded by compound walls.Ratha Yatra or car festival is also known as Sree Gundicha Yatra since the deities travel from Jagnnath temple to Sree Gundicha temple

How to reach Puri

 Puri By Air: The nearest airport from the heart of Puri city is Biju Patnaik airport in Bhubaneswar. It’s around 55 km away from the Puri coastal area. Cabs and buses are always available over there for transportation. The airport is connected to all major airports of India

Puri By Train: Puri is a one of the renowned terminus on the East Coast Railway having direct train links (both express and super fast) from New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Okha, Ahmedabad, Tirupati, Hyderabad etc. The Puri station is nearly one km away from the Puri sea beach. One can hire a cab or an auto rickshaw are available for local communication.

 Puri By Road: Puri city has been connected by NH-203 where distance is about 55Kms from Bhuvaneshwar. Orissa road transport corporation buses are the best way of transportation in Puri. They connect Puri to other cities and tourist places in Orissa. Frequent bus services are available from Bhuvaneshwar (56 km), Cuttack (32 km) and Konark. Orissa Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) offers deluxe buses for sightseeing tours in Puri.

Sunset

Ratha Yatra

Anazing Sunrise

Lord Jagnnath Temple

sandbeach Art

Wonderful Sea-Bay Of  Bengal

DO YOU WANT TO GET  MORE INFORMATIONS? 

The OTDC tourist office, open from Monday-Saturday, 10am to 5pm, is on Station Road and there is a 24-hour tourist counter at the railway station. One can change money at the State Bank of India, open from Monday-Friday 10am to 2pm, Saturday 10am to noon, and Sunday 11.30am to 1.30 pm. Changing money here can take an hour or more.