Fast Facts:

• Best Season: Oct - Mar
• Languages: Oriya, Hindi, Bengali
• Climate Conditions: Summer 19 to 45°C, Winter 3 to 32°C

Puri at a Glance:

One of the most renowned sacred places and one of most important pilgrimage sites, Puri holds a significant space among pilgrims. It is the dwelling of Lord Jagannath and is sited next to the Bay of Bengal in Orissa. This sacred place is 60 kms from Bhubaneshwar and lies on the golden-triangle of Orissa linking with Bhubneshwar and Konark. The city is supposed to be the pilgrimage site as it houses the famous Jagannath Temple, were devotees from all parts of the world visit every year.

The city is surrounded by sea and squeezed by causarina called fringed beaches. It is said that people who visit this place attain moksha from the cycles of birth & rebirth.

History:

The chronological and cultural structures have shiny relics that date back to 3rd century B.C-17th century AD. In the 2nd half of the 12th century, Vishnu Swami visited this location and set up a 'Matha' next to 'Markandeswar' Tank, which is called "Vishnuswami Matha". A pilgrimage tour was also made by Nimbarka Acharya and Srila Prabhupada came over here in January 1977. The existing temple-structure was constructed by the Ganga King, Choda Ganga Deva during the 12th century by swapping a former structure that possibly dated back to the 10th century.

Major Attractions:

Jagannath Temple: The shrine of Lord Jagannath at Puri is considered as one of the holiest site India. The existing structure was formed around 12th century. This outstanding Vaishnava temple enshrines Devi Subhadra, Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra. The each side of this huge temple compound measures 650 ft and is surmounted with 6 meters wall. With about 6,000 direct shrine servitors, theer is a temple kitchen that feeds more than 10,000 people every day.

Open at: 5.30 AM-10.00 PM

Closed at: 3.00 PM-4.00 PM for bhog

Note: Non-Hindus cannot go into the main place of worship; they can get a look by the roof of Raghunandan Library.

Satyabadi (Sakshigopal): The temple of Lord Sakshigopal is just 20 kms away from this abode of God or Puri. On the ‘Anala Nawami’ Day people can see the holy feet of Shri Radha.

Gundicha Mandir: This place of worship is situated at the end of Grad road, which is about 3 km northeast of the Jagannatha Shrine. During Ratha-Yatra celebration, Lord Jagannatha goes back to the Gundicha holy place to stay there for 1week. After 1 week He returns back to His original palce or worship. The day before Rath Yatra celebration, the purification of the Gundicha shrine is carried out as mentioned in ‘Chaitanya-Caritamrita’.

Non-Hindus can only be allowed to walk within the walls and to observe the stunning garden, but they are not permitted in the building of the temple.

Timing: 6.00 am to 3.00 pm, 4.00 pm to10.00 pm

Nava Kalebara: According to Lunar Calendar this festival is organized just the once in every 12-19 years. On this sacred ceremony, the idols transform their outside forms. New statues are engraved out of specifically holy trees.

Rath Yatra: Emblematically, the chariot carnival is a trip to light from the dark and starts onthe 2nd day of the dazzling fortnight in the month of June-July (Asad). It venerates the trip of Lord Krishna from Gokul to Mtahura. This carnival is celebrated throughout the Puri with great pageantry and formal procedure. In this spiritual journey, Subhadra, Jagannath and Balbhadra are taken out in pageant in 3 raths (chariots). The major chariot is 43 ft high as well as 33 ft wide and contains 16 wheels. Millions of devotees pull out the ropes of the chariots during procession.

Nabakalebar: When2 months of Ashadha fall or appear in same year,then Rath Yatra is regarded as the carnival of 'Nabakalebar' the previous deities are buried or covered within the premises of the holy place ('Koilibaikuntha') and are substituted by novel deities, sculpted f Margosa trees for which there are some definite procedures. Double Ashadha takes place at gaps of 8-19 years.

Puri Hotels and Resorts:

• Chakratirtha Road, Puri
• Hotel Naren Palace
• Hotel Holiday Resort
• Toshali Sands
• Nilanchal Ashok
• Mayfair Hotels & Resorts
• Pearl Beach Club & Resort
• The Hans Coco Palms
• Sterling Days Inn Resort

Ways to Get in:

Bhubaneshwar is the nearby airport, which is located at a distance of 65 kms. Puri is connected by rail to other town and cities in Orissa and the nation including Kolkata and Bhubaneshwar. The buses running under Government State Transport and Orissa Road Corporation connect Puri with Chilika, Bhubaneshwar, Kolkata, Chennai, Sambalpur, Konarak, and Visakhapatnam.

 

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