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Home to the revered Jagannath Temple, Puri is one of the renowned pilgrimage destinations in India. If you are planning your trip to Puri, then our Puri travel guide will help you choose the best time and the top places to visit. Footloose Holidays’ tour guide aims to make the most of your trip. From the centre of attraction—Jagannath Temple, to hidden places, like Raghurajpur artist village and Chilika Lake, Puri has something to offer every kind of traveler. Whether you are planning a spiritual journey or a family holiday, our Puri tour guide has everything you need to know to plan your trip.
About Puri
Puri is a coastal area located in the state of Odisha, India, on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. It is one of the significant pilgrimage destinations for Hindus and one of the Char Dham Yatra sites in India. With a myriad of historical architecture, ancient temples, and Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, Puri is the destination that offers a perfect blend of spirituality, history, nature, and culture. The centre of attraction of this sacred destination is the Jagannath Temple, dedicated to Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Krishna and Vishnu. It is a significant sacred site for Vaishnavas. Devotees from all over India and the world visit Puri to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath.
The Best Places to Visit in Puri
Puri is world famous for the Shri Jagannath Temple and its longest golden beaches. It is one of the Dhams out of four Dhams in India that are Puri, Dwarka, Badrinath, and Rameshwaram. Tourists mainly visit to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath. However, the town is replete with various ancient structures and natural beauties that everyone visiting Puri must explore.
Shri Jagannath Puri Temple
Located in the heart of Puri city, Shri Jagannath Temple is the most significant site for Vaishnavas. Devotees from all around the world visit Puri only to visit this revered temple. Not only for its religious significance, but the temple holds a special place in tourists’ hearts for its spectacular Kalinga architecture. Many mysterious facts about this temple fascinate devotees and make it a must-visit temple once in a lifetime. This temple is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage destinations in India. Dedicated to Lord Jagannath. In the temple, Lord Jagannath is seated along with his siblings, sister Devi Subhadra, and brother Shri Balabhadra.
Puri Beach
When in Puri, no one can miss visiting this spectacular place. Located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, the Puri Beach is one of the centres of attraction. Visitors spend quality time here, enjoying the activities or seeking solitude. The blue water splashing over the golden sandy stretch with the shimmering sun as the backdrop makes the perfect view to enjoy. Tourists mostly spend their time relaxing and soaking up the sea. But there are many adventurous activities that tourists can experience, including horse riding and camel riding. Some tourists also relish delicious seafood and snacks.
Gundicha Temple
One of the most significant temples associated with the world-famous Rath Yatra Festival is Gundicha Temple. It is the home of Lord Jagannatha’s aunt. It is the place where lord Jagannath, along with his siblings, resides for the 7 days during the festival, and then they return to their original home in Puri.
Chilika Lake
You will be happy to know that Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon is in India, and that is Chilika Lake in Odisha. Located just 50 km from Puri, Chilika Lake is a popular tourist spot for nature lovers. This vast lake is home to varied species of birds, especially migratory ones. During the migratory season, birds from different regions flock here. So, tourists get to see the rare of rarest bird species here. One can also enjoy boating to spot dolphins and explore the picturesque surroundings.
Raghurajpur Artist Village
If you are an art lover, you should never miss adding Raghurajpur to your Puri tour package. This is an art village, which lies only 14 km from Puri. This quaint village tucked away from the crowded city of Puri is known for its traditional Pattachitra and palm-leaf engravings. The best part of visiting this place is that you can meet the artists while they paint and craft. You can interact with them, ask about their experiences, and also buy the crafts directly from the artist.
Konark
No Puri tour itinerary is complete without adding Konark. It is a small town near Puri, renowned as the home to the famous Sun Temple, also known as the Black Pagoda. It is a World Heritage Site and famous for its intricate architecture. However, this temple is mostly now in ruins, and the sculptures are in the Sun Temple Museum. Well, the temple is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya), and it is built in the form of a gigantic chariot of the Sun God.
Best Tips for a Memorable Puri Trip
Our comprehensive Puri travel guide includes the best tips for you to make your tour smooth and memorable.
- Plan your visit as per the season: Jagannath Puri Temple is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations. So, it can be very crowded. To avoid this, plan your visit considering the off-season. Visit the temple early in the morning to avoid long queues.
- Respect the local culture: You should know that Puri is a religious city. You must respect the local culture. Dress modestly when visiting the temples and respect the local customs and traditions.
- Use local transport: To commute from one place to another, use local transport. Autorickshaws and e-rickshaws are the most common ways of commuting in Puri. These are inexpensive and easily available.
- Stay Hydrated: Puri is a coastal area, so the climate here is usually hot and humid. Hence, staying hydrated is crucial. Carry water bottles when visiting temples, exploring beaches, and enjoying outdoor activities.
Best Time to Visit Puri
Winter Season from October to February
The best time to visit Puri is the winter season from October to February. Since Puri is a coastal area located on the eastern shores of India on the coast of the Bay of Bengal, the climate remains hot and humid most of the time. Hence, the best time to explore the city and embark on a pilgrimage tour in Puri is in the winter season. It is the perfect time for outdoor activities, take a stroll on the beach, visit the famous temples, and explore the city. However, it is the peak season, which may result in higher accommodation costs.
Monsoon Season from June to September
But if you are a nature lover. Plan your Puri trip during the monsoon season from June to September. During this period, you will see lush green beauty. Even the temperature falls with rain, making it comfortable for tourists to explore and visit temples.
How to Reach
Puri is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in India and is well-connected with major Indian cities by railway, road, and air. So, you can travel to Puri by any mode of transportation. However, knowing the best way to travel to Puri will make your journey smoother. Let’s see the best options to travel to Puri from the major Indian cities:
By Air: Puri does not have its own aerodrome. The nearest airport to Puri is in the capital city of Bhubaneswar, Biju Patnaik International Airport, at a distance of 68 km. You get regular flights from the major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad. Upon arrival at the airport, take a taxi or government bus to reach Puri, which takes around 1 hour.
By Train: Puri is a major railway station, which is well-connected to the major cities in India. You get trains from cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and others to reach Puri directly. This is the cheapest and most convenient way to reach Puri.
By Road: Depending on your source city, you can opt for a road trip to Puri. You get private and government buses from major cities in Odisha and nearby states to reach Puri. Or, you can book a personal cab or car to travel to Puri from Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Kolkata, Durgapur, Asansol, etc.
