What are some of the must-visit places in Jagannath Puri? Puri, the sacred land of Lord Jagannatha, is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus. Puri is also one of the hallowed ‘Char Dham’ pilgrimage locations.
The town is with various antique temples of religious, historical, and architectural significance. Orissa’s three golden triangles are Konark, Bhubaneshwar, and Puri.
Although Puri gets the most tourists. Every year, Puri celebrates Rath Yatra with great fervor and devotion. The chariot festival associated with Jagannath Temple attracts a large number of pilgrims.
You may be wondering where to go in this lovely city of Puri. But knowing about a handful of the top ones will undoubtedly aid you on your adventure. So, keep reading to learn about the best places to visit in Puri.
Places To Visit In Jagannath Puri
There are many places to visit in Puri. Most of these places are ideal for family holidays and spiritual pilgrimages. This city has ancient temples and stunning beaches.
It also has historical sites, and cultural villages and towns. Here are a few sites to see in Puri that you should add to your itinerary.
This guarantees that you encounter the actual spirit of this ancient city.
Shri Jagannath Puri Temple
Sri Jagannath Puri Temple is one of the state’s most spectacular structures. The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath (Lord of the Universe and Vishnu’s avatar).
Furthermore, this temple has great religious significance among Hindus. The legendary Ananda Verman Chodaganga Dev built this temple in the 11th century.
This elaborately carved building is on a high pedestal with four massive gates. It is one of the top tourist attractions in Puri.
Puri Beach
Puri Beach, on the east coast of the Bay of Bengal, is a quiet haven for nature lovers. This beach attracts a huge number of tourists every year.
One of the main reasons for the popularity of this beach is its closeness to the Jagannath Temple. The sun-kissed beach is an ideal location for a relaxing holiday with family and friends.
The couples may also wander along the breezy shoreline. Take in the breathtaking dawn and sunset views. This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Puri. It will surely make your visit more unforgettable.
Konark Sun Temple
Konark is a prominent pilgrimage destination near Odisha’s capital city of Bhubaneswar. It is well-known for its 7th-century Sun Temple.
Located at a distance of 33 km from Puri, this temple has Odisha’s medieval architectural style. It comprises statues of the sun deity, depicted in three different representations.
Moreover, the statues are in three different orientations. This is to exactly capture the sun’s rays throughout mornings, afternoons, and evenings.
The huge temple is in the shape of a chariot, dedicated to the Sun deity. Konark is a wonderful alternative for a quiet holiday on isolated beaches.
Khandagiri Caves
Khandagiri Caves are roughly 7 km from Bhubaneswar. King Kharavela built these caves back in the 2nd century.
The inspiration behind the sculptures is mainly history and mythology. The most significant part to emphasize is the representation of the Kalinga War.
In this sculpture, women and teenagers struggle to preserve their motherland from Ashoka’s troops. Khandagiri caves are one of the greatest sites to visit around Puri.
Chilika Lake
Chilika Lake, Asia’s biggest salt-water lagoon, stretches across three districts in Orissa. The lake is separated from the waters of the Bay of Bengal by a thin neckline.
This lake is roughly 50 km from Puri and also has several little islands of lush green natural beauty. Enjoy the beauty of migratory bird groups soaring above during the winter season.
Aside from bird viewing, this lake is famous for boating, fishing, and a bunch of other activities. So don’t miss out on exploring this site, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Puri.
Markandeshwar Temple
Markandeshwar Temple, located near Bindu Sagar, is one of the holy temples in Puri. It was built in the 13th century.
There is an image of Natraj with ten arms encrusted in the Chaitya window at the front of the temple. In front of the sanctuary are finely carved images of Goddess Parvati, Lord Muruga, and Sri Ganesh.
This temple, with its holy aura, includes fifty-two sacred shrines of Lord Shiva. If you are looking for comfort and calm, this shrine is one of the most popular sites to visit in Puri.
Gundicha Temple
Gundicha Temple is in the heart of the magnificent garden. Moreover, it has compound walls on each side.
Srimandira is roughly 3 km away, and the two temples are at opposite ends. Gundicha Temple is one of the greatest sites to visit in Puri along with the Jagannath Temple.
It is an excellent place to deepen your spirituality. If you’re looking for spiritual awakening, this is one of the most popular spots to visit in Puri, Odisha.
Narendra Tank
This 15th-century tank, surrounded by several temples, is one of Odisha’s biggest tanks. The tank is about 2 km from Jagannath Temple.
It has several Ghats where worshippers can take holy bathing.
This tank is also an essential part of the Chandana Yatra celebration.
The famed tank is where deities are floating over clean water and perform rituals. The Chandana Mandapa temple is in the center of the big tank.
Where To Stay In Jagannath Puri?
Jagannath Puri is an ancient town with great religious significance. Hence, the city experiences a heavy rush of tourists around the year. If you are also planning to visit Puri soon, here are some of the best hotels in Puri to stay:
Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math Puri
Moreover, if you also plan to perform any puja or ritual at Jagannath Puri, you can also check our online puja booking website.
FAQs:
The best time to visit Jagannath Puri is from October to February. Although tourists rush to Puri all year. You should avoid the summer months (April, May, and June). As it is quite hot during that time.
Puri, to your surprise, has seven beautiful beaches. Chandrabhaga Beach, Balighai Beach, Puri Beach, Golden Beach, Swargadwar Beach, and Baliharachandi Beach are a few examples. All of these beaches have a variety of exciting activities. You may partake in it during your vacation.
There are many options to stay in Puri. However, YatraDham.Org provides the best budget hotels in Jagannath Puri. These stays are near the temple, trustworthy, and offer excellent hospitality.
Puri has five sacred bathing sites. They are also known as the Pancha Tirtha. These Pancha Tirthas are:
Indradyumna Tank, the Markandeya Tank, the Swetaganga, the Sea, and the Rohini Kunda.
It is a belief that a visit to Puri is incomplete until you visit the Pancha Tirtha sites.
Devotees can wear traditional clothes. Men could wear a dhoti, gamcha, or kurta. Whereas women should wear a saree, Punjabi suit, or kurta with bottoms and dupatta.
