Tourism of Puri has always been popular among travel enthusiasts due to the existence of many amazing tourist places in Puri including the Jagannath Temple. One of the four celebrated religious centers of India, Puri is the abode of Lord Jagannath. According to tradition Puri was once a thickly wooded hill. Known for its historic antiquities, religious sanctuaries, architectural grandeur, seascape beauty, moderate climate and spiritual significance, this coastal state of Odisha attracts a number of visitors every year.
With a rich historic heritage dating back to 3rd Century BC, this temple town welcomes both the pilgrims and fun seekers offering its splendid beaches and temples. Recognition of the Rath Yatra at a global level, acceptance of Odissi as a classical dance form and Orissan School of architecture have helped a lot to fetch Puri, the status of an internationally known city.
Places of Tourism in Puri
Puri represents a sense of holiness with the aroma of antiquity, which attracts most of the tourists. Sanctuaries, golden beaches and glorious lakes that is visually fascinating, crafts that are colourful and vibrant and the numerous festivals etc are the principal attraction in Puri, which stimulate the rapid development of the tourism industry in Puri. Some of the tourist attractions of Puri are discussed below:
Raghurajpur
Raghurajpur is known as the artisans" village, is a living museum itself. Raghurajpur is 12km from Puri. This village is famous for Patachitra. Every household has a painter and can show some lavishly painted the age-old tradition paintings on canvas, silk and other varieties like papier mache, masks, stone idols, sculptures, wooden idols, toys and many more.
Pipili
Pipili is again a craft village for Applique work. One can find a series of shops decorated with many applique works with bright colors. The varieties are like umbrellas, lamps shades, wall cloths, table covers, sofa covers, children cloths, bed covers and many more.
Dhauli
Dhauli is an important historical site famous for Shanti stupa and Ashokan Rock Edicts on a hillock. It is said that the famous Kalinga War was fought here during the 3rd century BC. It is also a Buddhist site and many archaeologist relics are discovered here. It is only 6 km away from Bhubaneshwar.
Konark
The famous Konark Sun Temple is situated about 40 kms northerly direction to Puri which is world famous for its magnificent architecture. There are 7 horses and 24 carved wheels which show that this has been carved to depict the Sun God.
Chilka Lake
Chilka Lake is the largest lagoon of the Asia which is about 1100 sqkm of brackish waters of Bay of Bengal. It is also famous for migrated birds such as flamingoes, pelicans, Ospreys, Ruffs and Avocets from Siberia and Persia.
Bindu Sagar Lake
Bindusagar is a small artificial lake which has a great religious importance. It is believed that the holy waters of all the sacred rivers along with nectar, wine are present within the lake. During the Rath Yatra, the deity of Lingaraj Temple is taken for ceremonial bath.
Jagannath Temple
Jagannath Temple is one of the most impressing monuments of Odisha. The temple was constructed by a famous king of Ganga Dynasty Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva dating back to 12th century. This astounding Vaishnava temple enshrines Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Balarama. The main temple of Jagannath is an impressing and amazing structure constructed in Kalinga architecture, with a height of 65 meters placed on an elevated platform.
Jagannath Rath Yatra
The much famous Temple Chariot Festival of Lord Jagannath takes place in Puri. Thousands of visitors come to Puri to experience this eye catching scene that is viewed once in a year.
Temples of Puri
The land of temples, Puri represents religious architecture. Jagannath temple, representing the saga of religious and sculptural architecture enhances the tourist quotient.
•Gundicha Temple
•Astachandi Temple
•Panchatirtha Temple
•Loknath Temple
•Dasavatara Temple
•The Temple of Seven Mother Goddesses
•Mausima Temple
•Chhatia Jagannath Temple
•Parasurameswara Mandir
•Raja Rani Mandir
•Mukteshwara Temple
•Lingaraj Temple
•Brahmeswara Temple
