Puri is one of the famous pilgrimage destinations, situated on the shores of the Bay of Bengal located in Odisha Most of the tourists flock do this place during Rath Yatra which is one of the major attractions of this place. Along with various attractions it has a host of sight- seeing wonders, so a visit to this destination is worthwhile.
The best time to visit this place is during the winter months between October to February as the summer months are hot. On your next trip to this place there are a lot of tourist wonders that you can explore. Reaching out to the city is easy as it is connected by an efficient system of roadways, train and airways. Bhubaneshwar is the nearest airport to Puri. It is around 60 kilometres from the main city and connected with flights to all the major cities of India. The residents of West Bengal can reach Puri by car or bus services are there. If you are not far away from the city you can plan a short weekend trip. Be aware that accommodation in Puri hotel turns out to be a nightmare. So during the rush seasons it is better that you seek advance accommodation.
Since the place is popular there are numerous tourist attractions that you would love to visit. In fact you can enjoy a great time with your family here and soak in the culture of the place big time.
Jagannath temple
It is the official residence of Lord Jagannath who is referred to as the Lord of the Universe. The temple is a stand out among the religious attractions in India. It is one of the popular attractions in Puri. Even a large number of people visit this temple every year to offer their prayers to Lord Jagannath. A glance at the temple reveals it is an example of engineering brilliance leaving the environment behind. In the early hours of the morning it opens at 5.00 and closes at 1.30. Then it opens in the evening around 5.30 and closes at 9.30 pm.
Puri beach
Without any doubts this shoreline of eastern India is one of the places that you cannot afford to miss. One of the characteristics of Puri beach is the sand texture of various patterns with the beautiful sunrise and the sun sets. The beaches are a treat for people who love to swim. In the month of November the tourist department organizes a beach festival that attracts tourists from all over the world.
Swargadwar Beach
The name of the beach is an indicator, is the door to heaven and the Hindus consider it to a sacred beach. It is peaceful and detached, take into account the concreted nature. Hindu pilgrims come to this part of the world and dip in this water since they consider it to be holy. Apart from this you can enjoy a walk in the beach.
Chilka lake
This is referred to as the biggest title pond in Asia that is around 100 km away from Puri. The lake is home to some of the lovely islands in this part of the world. . You can witness some migratory birds too. In due course of time the Chilka lake has gone on to become one of the popular tourist destinations in Puri.
Gundicha temple
From the Jagannath temple the premises is a mere 3 km away. The construction of the temple has taken place in a distinctive Kalinga style with stone cravings that are beautiful. In fact the temple is situated in the middle of a garden, and incorporated from light grey stone. The development of the temple took place under the guidance of Queen Gundicha of King Indrayumn who was the first founder of the 1st Jagannath temple. During Rath yatra the temple is termed as the aunt house of Lord Jagannath. It is moved over for a week and is placed on a raised seat known as Ratnavedi. A lot of stories are related to this place.
Narendra tank
The construction of the tank took place in the 15th century. In fact it is one of the biggest tanks in Odisha with around 16 washing places. Numerous temples are there of various shapes and sizes which have been developed around the tank. There is a sacred tank around the region known as Chandana Pushkarini that is celebrated every year.
Sudarshan craft museum
If you happen to be an art lover do not miss out a visit to this place. Shri Sudarshan Sahoo build this place in the year 1917, and at the place you can flip through the artistic works of the great man. They include fibre, glass , wooden craved items along with handicraft work and paintings. At the museum premises, there is a library, workshop and a Buddhist museum. The art work that is present in the premises is a rare one, provides an enriching experience, and excludes the best of tradition and culture. Even the novice artists can display their work here.
Raghurajpur crafts village
Situated at a distance of 11 km away from Puri the place is famous for its Pattachitra paintings. The yearly Basant festival is also celebrated here. It happens to be the first heritage craft village in Odisha which came into existence in the year 2000. The artisans are known to make sheared pottery on dry cloth or palm leave which is an attraction in itself. In this village the coconut and palm trees are another attraction.
To conclude if you are planning to visit Puri then you will be amazed with the convenient and hundreds of options for you to stay. It is during the Rath Season the place draws in a lot of crowds as people come in large numbers to soak in the attraction of this place. So as suggested earlier it is better to book your hotel accommodations well in advance before you visit Puri.