orissa Puri

One of the four celebrated religious centers of India, Puri, the abode of Lord Jagannath needs noPuri Beach introduction. According to tradition Puri was once a thickly wooded hill inhabited by the Sabaras (Pre-Aryan and Pre-Dravidian tribes of the Austric linguistic family). The sunny beach at Puri is one of the finest in the world. Watching the sunrise in a symphony of colours is a wonderful experience. It is one of the most popular sea-side resorts where visitors from any part of the globe can comfortably relax.

Some important questions arise when we choose a destination.

Most important places to Visit in Puri.

Which all places I can visit along with Puri?

Tour Itineries along with Puri

Best time to visit Puri

How to reach Puri ?

Most important places to Visit in Puri.

Raghurajpur

Raghurajpur 12Km from Puri on Bhubaneswar road in 203 National highway, near Chandanpur. One has to take a right turn from Chandanpur Bazar by noticing the Orissa Tourism signage to Raghurajpur. famous for pattachitra, Raghurajpur- The artisans village, is a living Museum itself. Every house hold has a painter and can show you lavishly painted, the age old tradition paintings on canvas, skil (tassar) and other varieties like papiermache, masks, stone idols, sculptures, wooden idils and toys and many more. The recently drawn mural paintings on the house walls is a step forward to make impression about survival of the past glory. One can contact any house in this village for the painting. The village ambience is also heart touching. This is a Heritage Craft Village of Orissa.

One can visit Siruli 25Km from Chandanpur for Lord hanuman in a village ambience.

Sakhigopal

At a distance of 17 Km from Puri on the national Highway 2003 ahead of chandanpur.Sakhigopaloterwise known as satyabadi is famous for the Shirine of Lord Krishna. Although the temple was built during the 19th century, the legend is very strong. It is said that the krishna image was brought here by King Prataprudra Deva after his victory over Kanchi (South India). The life size image is standing with flute and Radha is also standing on the left side. The images are very beautiful and impressive. The Temple is just like a miniature temple of Lord Jagannath. Sakhigopal is also important as it was one of the educational centres during the 19th and 20th century . The Bakulabana (open air school of early part of 20th century A.D.) is still lying just behind the Sakhigopal Temple

Here, also one can visit adjoining areas, those inquistive visitors interested in Temples and rural culture. The area like Biswanath Hill for Biswanath Siva on the top of the Hill, near Delanga which is 10 Km away from Sakhigopal.Threr is another village known as Barala (6 Km) famous for Balunkeswar Siva Temple, which has a unique design with sanctum, Jagamohana and Natamndap. The premises have about 25 small shrines which enshires a host of images of Durga, Khshetrapala, Vairabi Annapurna, Ardhanariswara, Damodara, Gopal, Narasimha, Ambika, and Parswanath (jain) images.

Pipili

Further ahead on the National highway 40 Km from Puri one can reach Pipili again a craft village for Applique work. One can find series of shops decorated with many applique works with bright colours. The varieties are like umbrellas, lamps shades, wall cloths, table covers, sofa covers, children cloths, bad covers and many more. These are prepared by skilled craft persons-perhaps a remnant of Mughal days. people love to see the varieties they even like to purchase the handicrafts.

From Pipili one can straight way proceed to dhauli, an important historical site famous for Shanti stupa and Asokan Rock Edicts on a Hillock. It is said the famous kalinga war was fought here during 3rd century BC. It is  also a Buddhist site and many archaeologist relics are discovered here. It is only 6 Km away from Bhubaneswar.

Konark

From Puri one can visit the World Heritage Monument- Konark Temple,35 Km on marine drive. One can enjoy the the natural beauty of Marine Drive while driving. On the way there are a few scenic spots with Temple like Beleswar (14Km) and Ramachandi. While driving from Puri you can cross Tosali Sand Resorts, a luxurious hotel, a craft centre for stone images at Chaitana. ApprochingKonark one can see the beauty of the sea stChandrabhaga, which is regarded as Tirtha also. Here Sunrise is very beautiful and enchanting. this is 3 Km from konark.

Now you can enter in the marvels of time and space, the elegant stone house of art and architecture- The Sun Temple of Konark. The entrance ticket may be purchased (Rs 5/- per Indians and US $ 5 for foreigners) from ASI ticket Booth.

Konark in ancient times is a celebrated centre for Sun worship. Konark as ArkaKshetra finds mention in SambhaPuran. Sambha, the son of Srikrishna as the Puranic story goes, worshiped the Sun here and installed the Image and got cured from Leprosy. It has a logn tradition of Sun worship interwoven with many legends and stories.

Satapada on Chilika

Satapada, a lake side resort located on the southeast side of Chilikalogoon which is the largest brackish water lake in Asia. 50 Km.  fromPuri on the road leading to land's end you find Satapada. A finy cluster of seven island 'sata' meansseven and ''pada' means village-this is where the lake meets the Bay of Bangal. Chilika covers an area of 1,165 square Kilometers over the district of Puri, Khurda and Ganjam. Chilika is home to more than a  hundred species of fish and dolphins. With the onset of winter, birds begin to arrive in Chilika, and within a month, thousands congregation of migration birds in the world after lake Victoria in Africa.

Which all places I can visit along with Puri?

Tour Itineries along with Puri

Bhubaneshwar - Puri - Konark - Bhubaneshwar

Bhubaneshwar - Puri - Konarak - Bhubaneshwar

Bhubaneshwar - Puri - Konark - Bhubaneshwar

Delhi - Agra - Umaria - Bandhavgarh - Kanha - Kawardha - Kanker - Jagdalpur - Raipur - Bhubaneshwar - Puri

Bhubaneshwar - Baliguda - Rayagada - Jeypore - Taptapani - Puri- Delhi

Delhi – Bhubaneswar – Puri – Bhubaneswar – Kolkata – Patna – Delhi – Mathura – Delhi – Haridwar – Rishikesh – Haridwar – Delhi

Bhubaneswar - Dangmal - Bhubaneswar - Baliguda - Rayagada - Jeypore - Rayagada - Gopalpur - Puri - Bhubaneswar

Best time to visit Puri

Puri any time of the year, the winter months from November to February are the best time to visit as the weather is at its balmiest best. If you don’t mind being part of a crowd of thousands of people and are seriously devout, then come here during June and July when the RathYatra takes places. It is the annual Chariot Festival of the Jagannath Temple when devotees throng this town to pull the Lord’s chariot. The rainy season (June to September) is best avoided as the southeast monsoon really pours its heart out.

How to reach Puri ?

How to Reach Puri by Air

The nearest national airport in the state is at Bhubaneshwar. There are frequent flights from Calcutta, Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad. Puri is 62 km away, a distance that can be covered by road or by rail.

How to Reach Puri by Rail

Direct express trains link Puri with Delhi, via Varanasi or Agra. There are trains to Calcutta and Guwahati too. Puri has a branch line of South Eastern Railway network connecting the southern Indian states to Puri. From other places in India, trains arrive at the nearest major junction at Bhubaneshwar, 62 km away or at Khurda Road, 44 km from Puri.

How to Reach Puri by Bus

Puri and Bhubaneshwar are well connected by road; with frequent and fast state transport buses and minibus services that do the journey in few hours. Cars, Jeeps and other private vehicles also ply on the same route as do luxury buses run by Orissa Tourism Development Corporation.