Puri is a city and the district headquarters of Puri district, Odisha, eastern India. It is situated on the Bay of Bengal, 60 kilometres (37 mi) south of the state capital of Bhubaneswar. It is also known as Jagannath Puri after the 11th century Jagannath Temple located in the city. Puri is a holy city of the Hindus as a part of the Char Dham pilgrimages. According to Hindu teachings, a pilgrimage of the temples of India is not considered complete without a journey to Puri. Puri is a renowned city and headquarters of Puri District in the Indian state of Odisha (formerly Orissa) (Latitude: 19° 48' 0 N, Longitude: 85° 50' 60 E), also known as The Abode of Lord Jagannath.
Puri is endowed with one of the best beaches for swimming in India and is therefore also a popular beach resort, especially as it is positioned geographically so that both sunset and sunrise can be viewed from the beach.
Puri, the holy land of Lord Jagannath, has many names. It is mentioned in Puranas as Srikshetra, Shankhakshetra, Neelāchala, Neelādri, Purusottama Dhāma, Purusottama Kshetra, Purusottama Puri and Jagannath Puri. The word "Puri" in Sanskrit means 'town', or 'city' and is cognate with polis in Greek. It is possible that Puri is a shortened name for Jagannath Puri or Purusottama Puri. In some records pertaining to the British rule, the word 'Jagannath' was used for Puri.It is the only shrine in India, where Radha, along with Lakshmi, Durga, Sati, Parvati, and Shakti abodes with Krishna, also known as Jagannath.
History
Puri is the site of the Govardhana matha, one of the four cardinal institutions established by Adi Shankaracharya, the others being those at Sringeri, Dwaraka and Jyotirmath.
Puri is also famous for its annual Ratha Yatra, or "Festival of Chariots", when the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, are brought out of the temple, and placed in a chariot procession.This festival occurs on various dates of the Gregorian calendar, typically in the month of July.
The town is famous for its many Mathas (Monasteries of the various Hindu sects). It also houses the relics of many Hindu figures as traditionally it is seen as a holy place to die in or to be cremated. As a result, it has had a disproportionate number of widows. Like other old Hindu religious towns it has a lot of character that is difficult to be glimpsed or picked up on easily by a casual visitor.
In 1903, Sri Yukteswar established an ashram in the sea-side town of Puri, naming it "Kararashram". From two ashrams, Yukteswar taught students, and began an organization named "Sadhu Sabha." Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur, founder of 64 Sri Gaudiya Maths performed the final past-times of his life in Puri.
Puri is one of seven most holy places for Hindus in India where Varanasi is considered as the holiest of the seven holy cities.
“ Ayodhyā Mathurā Māyā Kāsi Kāñchī Avantikā I
Purī Dvārāvatī chaiva saptaitā moksadāyikāh II ”
A Kṣetra is a sacred ground, a field of active power, a place where Moksha, final release can be obtained. The Garuda Purana enumerates seven sites as giver of Moksha, They are Ayodhya, Mathura, Māyā, Kāsi, Kāñchī, Avantikā, Purī and Dvārāvatī.
Transport
Puri is well connected by Railways. Trains are from Kolkata (Howrah jn), New Delhi, Ahmedabad, etc. It is also a major railhead on the East Coast Railway, bifurcated from Khurda Road Jn. The Railway Station of Puri is in The heart of the town and near to all hotels. If you arrive by train go to the Odishan State Tourist counter at the station for advice, they are usually very helpful and speak English. The MCO Booth is also quite helpful. Locals speak Oriya. Due to the presence of people from various parts of India there would not be a language problem. Hindi is also widely used. Some locals even speak Bengali.
You can use cycle or auto rickshaws but agree a price before you set off. There are places on C.T Road where you can hire an Enfield motorbike, good if you want to drive along the coast to Konark(Sun Temple).
Puri Hotels Accommodation / 5 Star Hotel / 4 Star Hotel / 3 Star Hotel
Tourism
- Shree Jagannath Puri Temple. One of the four dhams ie four most sacred pilgrimage places of Hindus. Constructed in 11th century and is the starting point of the world famous Rath Yatra held in July. Entry is limited to Hindus. Do lean against the Shani temple and watch the summit of the temple and do savour the temple food or bhog. The temple complex is huge and has some very interesting stories associated, priests or pandas are generally the ones who conduct the non Oriya people around and generally mention all these stories although they can demand exorbitant amounts; bring it down to something reasonable. It is possible to go into the sanctum sanctorum and touch the deities in the main temple for a fee.
- Golden Beach of Puri.
- Shankaracharya's GOBARDHAN Pitha A Hindu Math
- Swargadwar The Gateway to Heaven. Site of cremation of almost all famous Oriya people.
- Shree Lokanath Temple Dedicated to Lord Shiva, is said to be the place where Lord Shiva hid himself from Shani, under a pond.
- The Shiva Linga here is partially submerged and the pond is teeming with fish. Priests here tend to be very strict so do maintain etiquette.
- Sunara Gaurang Temple
- Bedi Hanuman Temple
- Chakra Tirtha Temple
- Mausima Temple
- Shree Gundicha Temple Destination of Rath Yatra.
Famous Places Near Puri
- Sun Temple of Konark.
- Chandrabhaga Sea Beach.
- Chilika Lake.
- Satapada Dolphin Sanctuary.
- Alarnath Temple
- Pipili Famous for Applique Work.
- Raghurajpur Famous for Patta Chitra.
- Puri Konark Marine Drive This road was recently renovated and hence is in superb condition. Is peppered with deserted beaches and many rivers fall into the sea in places visible, if not accessible, from the road. Some beaches are said to have quicksands. Along the way there is a temple Ramchandi which is a popular picnic spot amongst the locals as non-veg is allowed in the temple.
- Balihar Chandi Temple Is secluded with a beautiful and very calm beach nearby view from the temple of which is obscured by a forest.
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