Puri, The Abode of Lord Jagannath, is a renowned city and the district headquarters of the Puri district. Situated along the shores of the Bay of Bengal in the state Odisha, Puri is the most visited destinations of Eastern India. Puri is a part of the Char Dham Pilgrimage and also one of the seven most Holy places for the Hindus. Temples are the main attraction of Puri. Though, Puri is also renowned for its lakes, rivers, and beaches. The city is rich in culture and is a hub for art and architecture. This place is mostly visited in winters, however, millions of people from all across the country come to Puri and there are decent numbers of hotels in Puri for tourists. Below is the list of 5 top places to visit in Puri-
Jagannath Temple
It is the most famous temple in the city and is one of the major Hindu temples in the country. Built in 1161, by King Indradyumna, the primary deity kept here is that of Lord Jagannath, who is a form of Lord Vishnu. The statue of the Lord Jagannath is engraved from wood and is replaced every 12 years. The temple is included in the devoted Char Dham Yatra with Badrinath, Dwarka, and Rameshwaram and is one of the prime places to visit in Puri.
Timings: 5 AM – 1 PM & 6 PM – 12 AM.
Puri Beach
Located on the coasts of the Bay of Bengal, this place hosts annual beach festivals every year in the month of November and is visited by thousands of visitors all across the world. This beach is defined by the artistic sand arts and mesmerizing views of sunrise and sunset. The beach is a fairly clean place for sunbathing.
Timings: 6 AM – 7 PM
Gundicha Ghar Temple
Built by the Gundicha Maharani, this famous Hindu temple is situated 3 kilometers away from the Jagannath Temple. The temple is built using sandstones and it illustrates the Kalinga style architecture. The stone carvings of the temple attract a large number of people. The Gundicha Ghar Temple is mainly visited during the annual festival of Ratha Yatra.
Timings: 6 AM – 3 PM & 4 PM – 10 PM
Entry Fees: Rs.5/person
The Chilika Lake and Sanctuary
The Chilika lake is Asia’s biggest saltwater lake. The lake is a home to various migratory birds and around 160 different species of birds can be found in winters. Spread over 1100 square kilometers, the Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary is home to Blackbuck, Spotted Deer, Golden Jackals, Hyenas. Over 200 species of fishes and aquatic animals are also found here.
Timings: 6 AM to 7 PM
Boating: Rs. 2500 to Rs. 3000 for 1:30 Hour trip
Narendra Tank
Also known as the Narendra Pokhari, it is a holy tank situated at Mauza Dandimala Sahi in Puri. Built in the 15th Century by Narendra Dev, is one of the largest tanks in Orissa covers 16 ghats. The famous Chandana Yatra of Lord Jagannath is annually celebrated in this holy tank.
Timings: 6 AM to 9 PM
