The most famous tourist address of the State, the city is synonymous with Lord Jagannath & his siblings Lord Balabhadra & Goddess Subhadra.
The ancient city and its history are intertwined with Lord Jagannath. The city is one of the Char Dham’s (Four sacred places) of India. The Char Dham’s were established by Adi Shankaracharya. Besides the cult of Lord Jagannath & the mysticism attached with Puri, It’s one of the few destinations where one can combine spiritual salvation with fun & adventure. The city is dotted with many old shrines and Matha’s (Ashram’s) each having its own little story which weaves itself in the larger canvas attached with Lord Jagannath.
The variety of options for tourists that Puri offers, makes it a wholesome tourist destination.
Puri is a major railway junction and is well-connected to all the major cities in the country. The nearest airport is in the capital city, Bhubaneshwar which is 56 kms away from Puri. One can hail a taxi from the airport to Puri.
Having a more or less pleasant climate throughout the year, Jagannath Puri is thronged by people all year round except for peak summers (April-June). The ideal months to take a trip to Puri are between October and February when neither the scorching heat nor the high humidity is present to cause any hindrance to your outdoor plans. Winters (December-February) are a bit cold, but good to enjoy the beach and visiting temples. For those who wish to seek blessings from the Gods may visit this place during Rath Yatra, i.e between June and July.
Puri in Odisha is one of the four must-visit pilgrimage sites for Hindus because of Jagannath Temple that forms the part of Char Dham in India. Puri is a beach city located on the coast of Bay of Bengal which is one of the favourites among people of West Bengal for a short trip.
Having gained popularity among hippies back in the 1970s due to the legalisation of Bhang, Puri is still a popular destination among backpackers, however, the availability of bhang is now limited. With a plethora of hotels and homestays, the local tourist like to stay near the New Marine Drive and the backpackers prefer to stay near Chakra Tirtha. The Rath Yatra (chariot festival) which takes place during the month of June-July should not be missed if you are planning to visit during this time. Known as the resting place of Lord Shiva, the majestic history and heritage of Puri date back to the 3rd century B. C. Puri, Konark and Bhubaneshwar complete the Golden Triangle of Orissa, with their religious significance and cultural heritage being the center of tourism in this state. There are a lot of places near Puri that one must visit, like the Chilika lake, Puri beach, Gundicha Ghar and the very famous Sun temple of Konark. Puri is soon turning into an industrial hub with major manufacturing companies coming here.