Puri

Religious

Odisha

32°C / Clouds

History
Places to visit
How to reach

Considered as one of the four pilgrimage sites, Puri is a must-visit for any spiritual person. This is mainly because of the Jagannath Temple which forms an integral part of Char Dham in India. And due to its mythical charm, Puri still holds a certain spiritual feel to it.

Historically speaking, Puri has always been known as the resting place of Lord Shiva and also has various places to have fun like Chilika lake, Puri beach, Gundicha Ghar and so many others. The presence of a plethora of hotels and homestays makes Puri a great choice for the tourists as after a tiring day filled with enjoyment, you won’t find any problem when it comes to accommodation options.

Best Time to Visit Puri

The months from July to March are particularly considered as the best time to visit Puri which is owing to its pleasant climate. This is the time when you would be finding a lot of tourists wandering around.

History of Puri

Also referred to as the holy land of Lord Jagannatha, Puri is known by many names in our scriptures like Rigveda, Matsya Purana, Brahma Purana, and Narada Purana. For instance, in the Rigveda, Puri is known by the name of Purushamandama-grama which means the creator deity of the world.

Ancient Period

One of the most popular destinations of Puri is the Jagannatha Temple. It is believed that the construction of the temple was started in 1136 AD and was completed in the 12th century. One can have a fair amount of idea of the spiritual prowess of this temple by the fact that after its construction, King Anangabhima III decided to dedicate his kingdom to Lord Jagannatha, who was known as Purushottama-Jagannatha during those times.

As per his resolve, he vowed that from then on, he along with his descendants will rule under the divine order acting as Lord Jagannatha's sons.

Major Attractions in and Around Puri

1. Sri Jagannath Puri Temple

There is no doubt that Sri Jagannath Puri Temple is one of the most majestic places which you must visit with your loved ones. This truly phenomenal monument was built by the then king of the Ganga Dynasty named Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva in the 12th century. So, if you are planning a trip to Puri then this travel destination is an absolute must-visit.

2. Lokanath Temple

If the legend is to be believed then it can be said that Lokanath Temple was the hub for worshipping Shiva. And if the legends associated with this place are to be believed then, it was Lord Ram himself who had installed the Lingam in this great temple.

3. Vimala Temple

The Goddess Vimala idol is situated in the Jagannath temple and is a figurine of great reverence. It is regarded in the same light as the main deity of the temple. Moreover, it is also seen as the Shakti Peetha which means that it is one of the shrines particularly dedicated to the supreme Goddess. It is also believed that Goddess Vimala is the tantric manifestation of the Supreme Goddess Mother.

How to Reach Puri

Puri is considered to be one of the most spiritual getaways in India. It is located at an approximate distance of about 1,780, 1,778, 498, 1,451 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. To reach Puri, follow the below-mentioned routes given.

By Air

The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar Airport (BBI) aka Biju Patnaik Airport which is situated 60 km away. The airport has been named after the former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik. It is considered to be the 15th busiest airport in India. Many prominent airlines operate to and fro with overall good flight connectivity. Once you deboard at the airport, you will need to take a cab or some other means of local transportation available to reach your destination.

Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Puri

By Train

Puri has its own railway station of the same name and has fairly good connectivity with other Indian cities. After deboarding your train, you will need to hire some local means of transportation available at hand to further reach your destination.

By Road

Puri is well connected to other Indian cities via motorable roadways and national highways. So, if you are planning on a road trip, then it would be an overall hassle-free experience for you. You can consider travelling by booking interstate buses, private buses, hiring cabs or if it suits you then, travel in your own car.

From Bhubaneswar - 70 km via Bhubaneswar Puri Road
From Cuttack - 90 km via Cuttack-Puri Bypass Road
From Nayagarh - 115 km via NH57

Frequently Asked Questions about Puri

Q: Where is Puri located?
A: Puri is located on the east coast of India in the state of Odisha.

Q: When is the Puri Rath Yatra festival celebrated?
A: The Puri Rath Yatra festival is celebrated every year on the second day of the Hindu month of Ashadha (usually in June or July).

Q: What are the Tourist attractions in Puri?
A: Puri has several attractions for tourists and devotees, including Jagannath Temple, Puri Beach, Chakra Tirtha and Gundicha Temple.

You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here