Tourist Destinations in Orissa Puri

     Situated on the eastern coastline of the country, Puri is most well known as an important Hindu pilgrimage center. The Jagannath Temple, one of the four most important Hindu pilgrimage sites or the chardham is located here. Also, Puri’s wonderfully wide white-sand beaches, fishing farms and superb resorts make it an inviting tourist destination. The surf on the beaches here is one of the best on the entire eastern coastline of India, and dawn is a breathtaking sight. Visiting the Lord Jagannath temple, walking on the beach and experiencing the beauty of the sunrise and sunset are probably some of the best things to do in Puri. One could also visit the nearby small villages to look at the folk art and handicrafts, which are bright, colourful and exquisitely crafted items. The traditional methods of fishing used by the local fishermen are of interest, as is visiting nearby historic sites to garner a sense of the city’s history and the lifestyle of the locals.

     Puri has a typical tropical climate and is best visited during the winters between October to April after the monsoon clears all the dust and dirt around. Light woolens may be required, for nights by the sea can be slightly chilly.
Tourist Attractions in Puri
Puri has a number of religious and cultural tourist destinations, as well as interesting excursion sites nearby.

Jagannath Temple
     The magnificent Jagannath temple is regarded as one of the Chardhams (four pilgrimage sites) of Hindu religion, which are situated on all the four corners of the country. This temple is regarded as the Dham of eastern India. Dedicated to the Lord of the Universe (Jag-universe/ Nath-lord), it was built during the 12th century. One of the tallest (65 m) temples of India, this temple dominates the skyline and the townscape of Puri. It is a living example of the Kalinga style of architecture.

Gundicha Temple
     The Gundicha Ghar or Gundicha temple is an important part of the famous Rath Yatra festival of Puri. It has some interesting legends related to it. According to one the Gundicha Ghar is the house of Lord Krishna’s loving aunt. On the day of the Rath Yatra, Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken in gorgeously caparisoned wooden rath (chariots) from the main gate of the Jagannath temple to Gundicha temple. At the garden house, their aunt greets them by feeding them padoapitha (specially baked rice cakes). This place is regarded as equally holy as Lord stays here for nine days during the festival.

Beaches in Puri
     Puri’s white sand beaches are well known all over the country. They are perhaps the only walkable beaches on the eastern coastline that are carpeted with clean white sand. It is also worthwhile to request the local fishermen for a boat ride into the sea.
 

Konark Temple
    The Sun Temple of Konark is situated in the eastern state of Orissa at a distance of around 35 km from Puri. The city extends between longitude 86.08°E and latitude 19.53°N. The temple was built by Raja Narasimhadeva to mark a military victory. Since the rulers used to worship the Sun, the temple was conceived as a chariot for Surya, the Sun God. The whole structure is in the form of a giant horse drawn chariot of the Sun. Together, the 24 wheels of the Chariot and the 7 horses drawing it symbolize the passage of time.
 

Chilka Lake
     Queen of natural beauty, Chilika, the largest brackish water lake in Asia covering an area of over 1,100 sq. km is a great attraction for the tourists for fishing, bird watching and boating. In winter Chilika aflutter with thousands of indigenous and migratory birds of many varieties from far and near - even from the distant Siberia. The fabulous beauty of Chilika which has inspired poets to sing its glory and which can be best enjoyed from Balugaon, Barkul, Rambha and Satpada must be seen to be believed.

Raghurajpur
     The hamlet of Raghurajpur is famous for the patta chitra (paintings done on specially prepared cotton cloth which is coated with a mixture of gum and chalk and polished, before natural colors are applied) art of Orissa. You can watch the traditional, intricate process, which goes into the making of a treasured patta chitra here.

Pipili
    Pipili is a small village in Puri district which is famous for its splendid & colourful Applique work. This is a hereditary craft of local tailors, in which both men and women are engaged. Traditionally this craft only catered to the needs of various temples, shrines and royal persons. The technique of Applique work consists cutting of clothes into various floral, faunal and geometrical shapes and sizes and then stitching them on a cloth as a background to produce a harmonious, enchanting and colourful desired pattern.

      Easily approachable by air (from Bhubaneswar) and well connected by rail and road, Puri tours can also be extended to include the other tourist attractions in the adjoining areas of Puri, Orissa.

      Balighai, near Puri, is a picturesque beach fringed with Casuarinas that is very popular with tourists. Satapara in Chilika, set at the confluence of Chilika Lake and the Bay of Bengal, is another popular retreat from Puri. Satapara offers dolphin sighting and bird watching opportunities aplenty.

      If the magnificent temples of Puri have infused you with a desire to explore other temples of Orissa, then there are other famous temples around Puri that you can visit on your tour to Puri. Shrine of Alarnath in Brahmagiri, the shrine of Lord Sakshigopal in Satyabadi and the temple of Baliharachandi are the chief attractions. Baliharachandi is also a popular picnic spot for its natural beauty.

    You can also visit the famous artisan village of Raghurajpur. The birthplace of Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra, renowned Odissi dancer; at Raghurajpur you can attend a Gotipua dance performance and shop for pattachitra's and talapattachitra's handicrafts. These handicrafts can also be bought from the shops and state emporiums in Puri along with other handicrafts unique to Orissa such as stone soaps, seashells, horn work, woodcarvings and solapith work.