Located in Orissa, Puri is known for its beautiful and sun-kissed beaches that provide the tourists with an amazing boating and trekking experience. The gentle breeze, golden sand, and crystal clear water are some of the main attractions that Puri beaches are famous for.
If you love to explore water, then Puri can be a perfect holiday destination for you. You can play a wide range of water sports and explore the natural vegetation around the beaches.
Puri – the Holy City
Not only is it famous for its beaches, but Puri is known for its spiritual attractions. This city in Orissa is also known as “Jagannath Puri”. The Jagannath temple in Puri is one of India’s most visited and famous temples. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Indians pay a visit to Jagannath temple. Puri is the part of Char Dham Yatra cities.
The city received popularity from the Puranas, where it is considered the 7th sacred cities in India. Though this city looks enchanting in every season, it receives most of the tourists in winter. From pilgrims to water sports and beach lovers to adventure maniacs, Puri is a perfect holiday destination for all tourists. Let’s explore some of the major temples and beaches in Puri.
• Jagannath Temple
Constructed in the 11th century, it is India’s most popular and biggest temple. Jagannath temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, who also resembles Lord Vishnu. The specialty of this temple is the statue of the Jagannath deity. Wood is used to design the statue and is changed in 12 years. Jagannath temple is the part of Hindus Char Dham Yatra. Avail a safe and licensed taxi service in Puri and pay a visit to Jagannath temple. Offer your prayers to Lord Vishnu and explore the attractions of this sacred shrine.
Adorned with exceptional sculptures and carvings, Jagannath temple is a treat to your eyes. The religious and architectural attractions of this temple make it the top-most place to visit in Puri. The temple is only open to Hindus. The temple is adorned with wonderful stone carvings and the overall architecture is way too perfect to be overlooked.
• Puri Beach
Puri Beach is situated at the coastline of the Bay of Bengal. Not only is it famous for its excellent attractions, but Puri beach is a holy place. That is why it attracts a large number of national and international tourists throughout the year.
Whether you plan a trip to Puri in summer or winter, a visit to the Puri beach should be on top of your travel list. It is a perfect place to discover sand art and spend some peaceful and quality time with your family. It is worth watching the sunrise and sunset on this beach. The beach also has a resort and mouth-watering seafood. If you have never had seafood, Puri is the place to try something wild yet delicious. Additionally, the beach makes a perfect spot for swimmers.
• Gundicha Ghar Temple
Gundicha Ghar Temple is famous for its exquisite Kalinga style. Constructed by Indradyumna’s wife, this temple is close to the Jagannath temple. Every year, a special festival “Ratha Yathra” is organized in this temple. A simple yet amazingly constructed sacred shrine in Puri is the Gundicha Temple. Often known as the Garden house of the deity Jagannath, Gundicha temple is covered by gardens. The temple is mainly visited during the Rath Yatra festival when the idol of Lord Jagannath is placed here for 9 days.
• Rath Yatra
Rath Yatra is one of the most beautiful festivals organized annually. A chariot is designed by locals and popular designers. The statues of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra, and Balabhadra are placed on the chariot and taken to Gundicha Temple. The idols stay at Gundicha Temple for 9 days, after which they are taken back to the Jagannath temple. A majority of Indian Hindu tourists plan Puri trip around June-July to become a part of this cultural festival. In fact, the ceremony is broadcast live on television.
Beaches
• Swargadwar Beach
The meaning of the word Swargadwar is ‘a door to heaven’. In addition to being the city’s main attraction, Swargadwar Beach in Puri is considered a sacred place. Thousands of devotees and tourists visit this holy place to take a dip in the sea and heal their wounds and health issues. It is also believed that a dip in the pure water of Swargadwar beach can erase all your sins. If you are looking for a peaceful and isolated attractions in Puri, then Swargadwar Beach is the perfect option.
Puri has a lot of attractions and sacred places for its tourists. Avail a car rental in Puri with an experienced driver and pay a visit to the city’s most popular attractions.
It’s great that you share your experience. I am a novice traveler, and for me your blog is an aid in planning my trip. Thanks!