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One of the four celebrated religious centers of India, Puri,
the abode of Lord Jagannath needs no introduction. According to tradition
Puri was once a thickly wooded hill inhabited by the Sabaras (Pre-Aryan and
Pre-Dravidian tribes of the Austric linguistic family). The sunny
beach at Puri is one of the finest in the world. Watching the sunrise
in a symphony of colours is a wonderful experience. It is one of the most
popular sea-side resorts where visitors from any part of the globe can comfortably
relax.
Places of tourist interest in Puri :
The Temple
of Lord Jagannath built during the 12th century A.D. by Chodaganga Deva
dominates the landscape for kilometers around. Being the tallest temple (65
metres) in Orissa, it is one of the most magnificent pieces of monuments of
India. In front of the main gate stands a 16 sided monolithic pillar (11 metres
high), called Aruna Stambha which formally stood in front of the Sun Temple
and was brought to Puri during the 18th century A.D. Some of the other important
temples are Gundicha, Lokanath, Sunaragauranga, Daria Mahabir and Tota
Gopinatt.
There are also a number of holy tanks like Narendra, Markandeya, Sweta Ganga
and Indradyumna. There are many Monasteries locally known as Mathas
also of touristic interest.
Approach : By air to Bhubaneswar (Puri is 62 km from
Bhubaneswar),
road and rail.
Stay:Stay arrangements can be done with the local hotels and
in the OTDC Guest House (Panthanivas), Puri. The list of hotels with their
phone numbers is given below:
Name |
Telephone(06752) |
Hotel Hans-Cocopalms |
222638,
223752, 223763 |
|
Hotel Holiday
Resort
|
222440, 224371, 224372
|
Hotel Mayfair Beach Resort |
224041,
224254, 224313 |
|
Hotel New Victoria
Club
|
222005, 222583
|
|
Hotel Nilachal
Ashok
|
223651, 223671
|
|
Hotel Sun-n-Sand
|
223107
|
Hotel Toshali Sands |
223571,
222888 |
|
Hotel Vijoy
International
|
223705, 222702
|
|
Hotel 'Z'
|
222554
|
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S.E. Railway Hotel
|
222063, 223005, 223006
|
Sterling Holiday Resorts |
230090 |
Puri Hotel |
222114,
222744 |
|
Victoria Club
Hotel
|
222005, 222583
|
|
Hotel Grand Central |
2230599
|
| Panthanivas |
222740, 222562
|
Handicrafts of the Region: Soap Stone, Sea-shell, Pattachitras and Palm Leaf paintings, Horn work, Wood carvings,
and Solapith work can be purchased from Puri.
Fairs and Festivals of the region: Puri offers a plethora of colourful
fairs and festivals round the year. However the Ratha Yatra
or Car Festival, Puri Beach Festival, Ganesh Puja, and Jhulana Jatra are among the more widely
celebrated ones.
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Balighai
(8 km)*
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The Casuarina fringed Balighai beach is a famous picnic
spot. The Sun and fun at the mouth of the river Nuanai is unforgettable.
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Brahmagiri
(25 km)*
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Brahmagiri is known for the living shrine of
Alarnath. Streams of pilgrims visit Alarnath
during Anabasara of Lord Jagannath. Nearby is the shrine of Baliharachandi on the solitary
sand dunes.
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Satyabadi
(20 km)*
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Satyabadi or Sakshigopal is known for the shrine of Lord
Sakshigopal. It is believed that
the visit to Puri is incomplete without a visit to Sakshigopal. The temple is only 2 km
away from the main road leading to Puri and is convenient to visit.
|
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Baliharachandi
(27 km)*
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27 km to the south-west of Puri is the temple of Baliharachandi.
Situated on a sandy hill near the sea and adjacent to the mouth of the river
Bhargavi,
Goddess Durga is worshipped here as Baliharachandi. The scenic beauty of this place is
ideal for group picnic.
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Raghurajpur
(16 km)*
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One of the most famous artists village in Orissa, the village of Raghurajpur boasts not
only of the exquisite pattachitra's and talapattachitra's, but also of being the
native place of Guru kelucharan Mohapatra, the famed Odissi dancer. Even today, under the
tutelage of renowned Guru's, young boys can be seen practicing the Gotipua dance
here. A visit to Orissa would definitely be incomplete without a visit to this little
village.
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Satapara
(52 km)*
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Satapara, a retreat in nature on Chilika Lake, has been
thrown open to visitors. Its location near the confluence of the Lake with the Bay of
Bengal, and proximity to Puri (52 km), makes it an ideal spot to enjoy Chilika. The
thrilling sight of dolphins round the year and abundance of migratory and resident birds
in winter make it a preferred place for a vacation with nature.
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* Distance from Puri |
