Things to do in Puri

Shree Jagannath Puri Temple

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  One of the Char Dhams, the temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, an avatar of Lord Vishnu and his siblings, Subhadra & Balabhadra.

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  Unique in many aspects, the temple features beautifully crafted wooden idols and intricate architectural details.

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  The temple is open for darshan throughout the year except for 15 days after the Snana Yatra. And this occurs right before the annual Rath Yatra.

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  Temple Timings: The regular temple timings are between 5:00 am to 11:00 pm.

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  Aarti Timings: Morning - 5:30 am to 8:00 am and 9:15 am to 1:00 pm| Afternoon - 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm| Evening – 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm

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  Mahaprasad: Available for purchase at the Aananda Bazaar, this is a collection of 56 different food items (Chappan Bhog) that is offered to Lord Jagannath at different times of the day.

Best Areas to Stay in Puri

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  Golden Beach: Cleanest beach in Odissa and the venue of the Puri Beach Festival, this lively area has hotels & homestays for all budgets.

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  Swargadwar Beach: An extension of the Golden Beach, this area is well known for its religious significance and its bustling night market.

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  New Marine Drive Road: Lined with hotels, the New Marine Drive Road runs along the coastline, connecting the beach to the rest of the land.

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  Baliapanda: Set away from the beaches & the main attractions of Puri, staying in this area assures you a peaceful vibe while being well-connected.

Must-visit Attractions in Puri

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  Raghurajpur Artist Village: A prominent heritage village famous for artforms like the Pattachitra paintings, Gotipua dance & palm leaf engravings.

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  Chilika Lake: One of the world’s biggest lagoons & home to the largest collection of migratory birds in the Indian sub-continent.

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  Pipili: A small town famed for its applique artwork, especially in clothes.

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  Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary: A coastal wildlife sanctuary that has scenic beaches, forested land and mangroves.

Other Popular Temples in Puri

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  Shree Gundicha Temple: Believed to be dedicated to the aunt of Lord Jagannath, this temple is open only for 9 days in a year, beginning from the day of the annual Rath Yatra. The yatra ends at this temple.

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  Konark Sun Temple: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this intricately carved 13th century temple depicts the Sun God in a chariot with 24 wheels & 7 horses.

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  Sakshigopal Temple: Dedicated to Radha Krishna, this temple is renowned for its Radha Pada and wheat-based prasad.

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  Pancha Tirtha: This is a collection of 5 different waterbodies, Mahodadhi, Indradyumna Tank, Markandeya Tank, Swetaganga, and Rohini Kunda. A pilgrimage to Puri is considered incomplete without a dip in all of them.

Good to Know Before You Travel

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  How to Reach: Board a flight to the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneshwar, approximately a 60 km drive from Puri. Visitors can also board a train to the Puri Railway Station.

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  What to Buy: Some of the best souvenirs to purchase include applique work handicrafts or clothing, filigree silver jewellery, and pieces of Pattachitra paintings. Popular shopping hubs are the Grand Road and Swargadwara Market.

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  What to Eat: A visit to Puri is incomplete without trying local dishes like chenna poda, khaja, khechedi, dalma, and rasabali.

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  International Sand Art Festival: Held annually from 1st to 5th December at the Chandrabhaga Beach, Konark, this event is a showcase of intricately carved sand sculptures.

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  Puri Beach Festival: Held at the Swargadwara Beach, this 5-day celebration of the rich cultural heritage has dance performances, fashion shows, music concerts, handloom & handicraft exhibitions.