Puri does not require any introduction as it is a popular religious site of Orissa. Being one of the Char Dham sites of India, it is flocked by thousands of devotees every year. The Jagannath Temple is the epicenter of all religious activity in the city. Apart from this, there are a number of other shrines in Puri. However, the city also boasts of serene sandy beaches, which provide ample opportunities to the visitors to unwind and relax. For an exclusive experience do not forget to interact with the locals of the place. Their simplicity and innocence will mesmerize you completely. For more, check out the local handicrafts, which are a must for adding that zing to your home décor.

Tourist Attractions

Puri is basically a religious city and houses a number of shrines. The city is famous for its world renowned Jagannath Temple and Rath Yatra. Dedicated to Lord Jagannath (Lord Krishna), it was built in 12th century. The temple is adorned with exquisite carvings and its tall spires exude grandeur. Located on the coast of Bay of Bengal, in the heart of the city, it is visited by thousands of devotees every year. The Rath Yatra or the Chariot Festival organized here every year is the main attraction.

The idols of Lord Jagannath, Balram and Goddess Subhadra are taken to the Gundicha Temple in decked chariots and are brought back in the same way. This is one of the biggest festivals conducted in the state as well as the country. The chariots are hand crafted by craftsmen and are pulled by devotees. The sight of the Yatra is breath taking. Another important shrine in the city is Gundicha Temple. It is the temple where the idols of the main deities of Sri Mandir are taken during Rath Yatra. It is located on the north eastern side of Jagannath temple and is supposedly Lord Krishna's aunt's home.

However, it is named after King Indrayumna, who was also known as 'Gundicha'. This is because he laid the foundation of the temple. Another tourist spot in the city is Swargdwar Beach. It is located at a distance of merely 2 km from the Jagannath Temple and has great religious importance. It is believed to be the bathing place of Sri Chaitanyadev, a Vaishnavite prophet. As a reward for his devotion, he merged with Lord Brahma and attained salvation. Every year thousands of devotees take a holy dip in the waters of this beach in order to go to heaven.

The major attraction for all the tourists and visitors coming here is Puri Beach. Flocks of visitors come here for its holy waters, pristine surroundings, serene ambience. The beach serves as an ideal spot for long walks over golden sand, exotic sunsets and sunrise and the Puri Beach Festival. Jagannath Puri has immense religious importance for the people of India. It is often referred as the "Purusottama Dham" or "Martya Vaikuntha". This means that it is the abode of Lord Vishnu on earth and anybody who dies here surely attains heaven.

How to Reach
By Air: The nearest airport to Puri is Bhubaneshwar. It is linked to all the major Indian cities such as Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad etc, by direct flights.

By Rail: Puri has a good rail network and is well connected to the rest of the country via regular trains.

By Road: Orissa is accessible best through road. Government State Transport and Orissa Road Corporation operates regular buses between Puri and Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Chilka, Konark, Chennai, Sambalpur and Visakhapatnam.