"Puri – The Land of Lord Jagannath"
Puri
– The Land of Lord Jagannath
Jai Jagannath.
With blessing of
almighty god Jagannath I got oppprtunity to visit Puri along with my family in
October 2021. I had enchanting experience while seeing Lord Jagannath at world
famous temple of Puri.
Are You Planning a visit to Puri for the Rath Yatra of the Puri
Jagannath temple? Here is a guide on what you can do in 72 hours in Puri.
Love for "Travelling" and "Exploring New
Places" brought me here! Every year I with my parents try to travel one or
two places. It's perfect way for family bonding and it refreshes one's from the
hectic work life. Personally I love reading travel blogs as it really helps in
planning my trips. So now its my turn to help others in making there trips
memorable and easy.
Back in October 2021, we took
a trip to Puri. After 12 hrs of journey from Mahasamund to Puri, We
finally reached Puri - "Jagannath Puri". It was late around 10 in the
night, so we directly headed to our hotel i.e. Hotel
"Panthanivas", only 10 minutes ride from railway station. Luckily
we got sea facing room, the hotel have private opening to the "Golden
Beach". Room was spacious, clean and well maintained.
It is the wee hours of the morning and the sun has still not kept its
date with the sky. I wake up gingerly, a little surprised that it is still
dark, even though I am in Puri, in Odisha where the mornings are often very
early. It is hazy as we drive past the empty boulevard along the beach. Every
inch of the road is lined with resorts and hotels facing the sea and they are
all wrapped in a cloak of silence. As we enter the main temple road, the
occasional car drives past as the rickshaw guys wake up. Life is slowly
stirring here as the sun strides up the sky, its rays glancing upon the 200
feet tall tower of the Puri Jagannath Temple, the shrine around which the town
revolves. If you have just 72 hours in Puri, then your trip is planned around
temples, architecture, crafts and a sunset cruise.
Puri is essentially a holy city and it forms part of the Char Dham itinerary
where pilgrims visit Dwaraka, Badrinath and Rameshwaram. I enter the temple
only to find it bustling with devotees and devotion. It seems like the entire
city is here – tourists, locals, pandas, all vying with each other to get the
first darshan of the lord. We sway through the crowd and manage to find a
little corner where we have our own private spiritual moment and a silent
communion with the triad deities. Mesmerised and overwhelmed by the sight of
these larger than life brightly clad wooden deities of Jagannath , Balabhadra
and Sulabhadra, I forget for a moment, the jostling and the elbowing before
heading out of the shrine into the vast open space. I have the entire 400,000
sq feet of space around the temple to explore.
Day-1
Morning: Seek Blessings at
Jagannath Temple
The
Shree Jagannath Puri temple is one of the most impressive monuments
in Odisha and is dedicated to Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe and an
incarnation of Vishnu. Constructed by King Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva of the
Ganga Dynasty back in 1198, the temple enshrines Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra
and Balabhadra. The main temple of Jagannath is an imposing structure
surrounded by two walls. There are more than 120 smaller shrines
inside the temple’s complex. Within, the 58-metre-high sikhara (spire) is topped by the
flag and wheel of Vishnu and guarded by two stone lions and a pillar crowned by
the Garud. Built in the Kalinga style of architecture, Lord Jagannath is
believed to be the symbol of Universal peace. Every year, the hugely popular
ritual of Rath Yatra concludes at the premises, during which thousands of
devotees throng to the temple.
My first destination during
the Puri trip would be the Puri Jagannath Temple. While the temple remains
flooded with devotees during the Rath Yatra, it is not necessarily one of the
tourist places in Puri meant solely for the religious minded travelers. The
temple gives a fascinating insight into India’s ancient temple architecture.
Lord Jagannath- Incarnation
of Lord Vishnu
Lord
Jagannath Idol
It is believed that the Jai Jagannath is
an avatar of Lord Vishnu who dines at the Lord Jagannath temple
every day. This is the reason why the temple attributes immense importance to
food offerings made to the deity, known as Mahaprasad. Puri
Jagannath temple has one of the largest kitchens in the world and this space is
needed to cook 56 different dishes (as a part of the Mahaprashad) every day!
The dishes are not only cooked for the Lord, this Prashad can be booked by
thousands of devotees. While millions of devotees would be visiting the Puri
Jagannath temple during Rath Yatra festivities, even on an average day the temple
is thronged by 2000 to 2,00,000 devotees!
Sri
Jagannath Puri Dress Code
While visiting Sri
Jagannath Temple at Puri, follow this dress code:
- Men – Formal clothes
- Women – Saree or Salwar Kameez
History of Jagannath Puri
Since ages Puri has been the center of
Hindu Pilgrimage and is known by name as Sri Kshetra. Jagannath temple known as
Badadeula was invaded several times by the Islamic invaders from 5th century to 17th century.
Thus the Jagannath temple is the pivot of ceremony of the city .Nearly 24
festivals are held annually in the temple complex. The most important festival
is the Rath Yatra( Car festival) which has gained universal fame since
centuries.
Interesting
facts about Jagannath Puri Temple flag
The fluttering flag from the pinnacle of the lofty abode of Lord
Jagannath catches the attention of the localites and the pilgrims. It is tied
to the Sudarshan Chakra of the Lord. This flag flaps in the opposite direction
of the wind and the same is the case with Chakra. No matters from any part of
the city you see, it faces you.
· Timings: 5 AM – 11 PM
· The temple is shut in the afternoon from 1
PM to 4 PM.
· Tip: The Prashad offered
to Lord Jagannath can be booked from the Temple Trust’s office in the early
hours of the morning. The earlier you visit, the better it would be!
Markandeshwara Temple
After seeing Lord
Jagannath, we went to Markandeshwara Temple.
Located
at a distance of 1 km from the Sri Jagannath Temple and 3 km from Puri
Junction, Markandeshwara Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples in the
town of Puri. A visit to this 12th-century temple is one of the most
interesting things to do in Puri, Odisha, as it will give you a good insight
into the religious structure of the city.
How to Reach: Located at a
distance of 3 km from Puri Junction, it can be reached by bus/taxi/auto or even
by walking.
Visiting Hours: 6:00
AM to 7:00 PM
Gundicha Temple
Our third destination was
Gundicha Temple. Gundicha Temple is one of the most renowned and sacred
Hindu temples in Puri. It is a commonplace of
the festivities during the annual Ratha Yatra. The temple is located right next
to the Jagannath Temple and is popularly referred to as “His Aunt’s house”.
How to Reach: It is about 1.5 km from the main railway
station namely Puri Junction and just 3 km from the Jagannath Temple.
Cabs/autos are easily available.
Entry Fee: INR 5/- per person.
Visiting Hours: 6.00 AM to 3.00 PM & 4.00 PM to 10.00
PM
Alarnatha Temple
At last we visited
Alarnatha Temple in morning session. Alarnatha Temple is an ancient temple
located in Brahmagiri near Puri. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this is one of the
famous temples of Lord Vishnu in Odisha. Said to be 200 years older than the
famous Jagannath Mandir, don’t forget seeing the lake behind it.
How to Reach: It is at a distance of 22 km from Puri
Junction railway station. Tourists can go by bus, cab or auto rickshaws. The
travel time is nearly 30 minutes.
Visiting Hours: 6.00 AM to 9.00 PM
Afternoon:
Shopping for some souvenirs at Puri
Once you have sought the divine blessings it is time to immerse yourself in other worldly joys. Well, the shopping area near the Jagannath Temple is like a dreamland for the shopaholics. The row of shops will enthrall you with their variety of items – from sarees to suits, bags to shoes, you will get everything! These shops have an extensive collection of Orissa’s traditional crafts and handloom. The shops carry an extensive collection of Orissa’s traditional prints such as Ikat, Bomkai and Passapali. You can also look through the collection of Orissa’s famous handicraft items such as Patta Chitra.
I tasted another famous
sweet of Puri Odisha, which is called Chenna Poda. Chenna
Poda, cooked for several hours, is a festival-special as it is believed to be
Lord Jagannath’s favourite sweet dish. It is cooked in homes and food joints on
special occasions and festivals. The taste is entirely from cottage cheese as
well as caramelized sugar. The patience and time required for this dish make it
a must-try for food in Puri. It is available at almost every shop at Puri and
is famously served at the maha bhog at the Temple.
· Best
Place to Try Chenna Poda: Sweet shops around the Jagannath Temple.
· Tip: The prices of items
are surged significantly for the tourists during Rath Yatra season. So, start
honing your bargaining skills!
· Must taste: If you want to taste
the best Khaja sweet in Puri, then head to Kakatua outlet. You can also pack
some sweets for your friends and relatives back home.
Odisha is best known for its
intricate filigree work in silver. The many jewellery stores here give you
plenty of choice. We stopped by Odisha Filigree & Handicrafts that was run
by Tabrez Khan. The collection here was tasteful across a wide variety.
Puri is famous for its
silver filigree work
How can I not
talk about the gorgeous cotton sarees! The nine yard wonder takes a whole new
form in the hands of the Oriya artisans. The most popular designs come from
Cuttack and you can have a stunning addition to your wardrobe for as less as
Rs.350. Big spenders can get exquisite cotton sarees for around Rs.3,000 plus.
Choose from a wide variety of colourful sarees
Evening:Balighai
Beach and Enjoy the high tides at Puri Beach
Balighai Beach
If the
soothing touch of nature is what you yearn, head 10 km ahead of Puri, where the
quiet beach of Balighai rests at the mouth of the river Nuanai. Draped in
serenity and swaying casuarinas, the dramatic sunrises add a mesmerizing charm
to this beach. Far less crowded than the main Puri beach, and the short coastal
drive leading up to it is nothing short of a beautiful landscape.
If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, the Sea Turtle Research Centre located on the
beach is your place to be at. Don’t miss the Balihirana Sanctuary located a bit
ahead to spot the endangered Balihirana antelope. Reserve some time in your busy
day to give surfing a go at the Rangers Adventure Foundation near the beach.
Puri Beach
The Sun is setting and I am
at the Puri Beach. Puri beach which is known for its gigantic waves, is one of
the most appealing reasons for tourists to head to this ever bustling town.
Right after you have shopped to your heart’s fill, you can head to the beach
for a bath. As mentioned before, Puri beach is characterized by gigantic waves
and a slope at the beach which can get quite steep. The beach is a lively place
to be at, where you can either take a bath in the waters or relax at the shores
watching different people doing myriad things. Puri beach is also the best
destination to end your first day’s sightseeing, with a mesmerizing sunset
view.
· Trivia: During the months of
November-December, Puri Beach Festival is organized. The festival features
brilliant sand arts by the famous artist, Padma Shri Sudarshan Pattnaik.
· Tip: As mentioned there is
a steep slope at the Puri beach, so be careful while you take a bath.
Day-2
Morning:
Visit the iconic Konark Sun Temple and Beleswar Beach
Konark Sun Temple, located
35 KM away from Puri, is a not-to-miss attraction near Puri. This 13th century
temple is known for its unique shape. The temple’s architecture resembles the
chariot ridden by the Sun god. The chariot is driven by seven horses and has
twelve intricately carved wheels on its sides. The walls of this temple are beautified
with carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology, plants, flowers, animals,
etc. Each year during February, the temple witnesses a cultural extravaganza
when the Konark Dance Festival is organized at the temple premises.
Sun
Temple at Konark
· Timings: 6 AM – 8 PM
· Tip: Leave for Konark
early in the morning to experience the rays of the sun falling directly on this
beautiful structure.
Beleswar Beach: At a distance of
seventeen kilometers from Puri and twenty-five kilometers from Konark, Beleswar
Beach may be a serene beach located at Beleswar in Puri district of Orissa.
conjointly referred to as Baleshwar Beach, this place is one in all the hanging
beaches in Odisha and conjointly one in all the popular places to go to in
Puri. The beach and also the forest cowl that stretches right along the beach
provide an honest place to relax. Sunbathing, swimming and water sports are in
style ways that to pay time on the beach. observation of the sunrise and sunset
may be a style tourer activity.
Afternoon:
Explore the Raghurajpur Craft Village
Drive for another 40 KM
(from Konark) and you will reach the heritage crafts village of Raghurajpur.
Along the route you will come across groves of coconut, palm, mango and jack
fruit apart from a view of rural Odisha. Once you reach the village, you would
be welcomed by 100 homes of artisans. The houses might be small but they are
beautifully decorated with mural paintings. All the ancient arts and crafts of
Orissa, including the 900 year old Patachitra, are practiced in this village.
You can watch the artisans at work, talk to them and learn a few tricks from
them. Patachitra is the real show stealer among the crafts items on display at
Raghurajpur Crafts Village. This ancient craft form depicts mythological
stories which are drawn so precisely that they are no less than visual
depictions!
· Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM
· Tip: These artisans have
been preserving the local art since ages and it’s only wise to support them by
buying a few pieces of their work from the village.
Evening:
View the amazing sunset at Chilka Lake
Chilka Lake, one of the
largest brackish water lagoons in the world, is a famous Orissa tourism
destination. And the sunset cruise on the Chilka Lake is the perfect way to
pull curtains on your 3 day trip to Puri. Cruises on the lake are available
from the jetty at Satpada village. The waters turn into numerous shades of red
during the sunset hours and it’s not just a delight to the eyes but also to the
mind. If you are lucky, you might even spot some Dolphins during your cruise!
Boats take you to the Rajhans Island, where you can spot a lagoon on one side
and the Bay of Bengal on the other. It’s a sight to behold and you must not
miss out on this experience.
· Timings: 6 AM – 7 PM
· Cruise Costs: INR
250 (depending on the distance covered)
· Tip: Chilka Lake is quite
famous for its pearls. So, if you can identify the true pearls then go ahead
and purchase some pearls here.
Day-
3
Destination 1, Chandravaga River –. Here I saw one small area, which claimed to be the great
Chandravaga river. As per the local guide, I need to come next day of Saraswati
puja to see the water of this river, that is the only days when people can see
some water in this river, reason I don’t know. Here beach is very nice one and
pleasant for beach lover, I’m not sure about accommodation option, but if any
you may try to spent a full day and night here. Beach is extremely good, but
not sure about bathing, few food joints are available here, but try some tender
coconut here, it’s very good and cheap.
Destination 2, Dhabalgiri, The Dhauli Shanti Stupa or the Peace Pagoda as it is known was built by
the Japan Buddha Sangha and the Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangha in 1972. Built on
the site where the famous Kalinga War was fought, the Dhauli Stupa commemorates
the mission of peace that the Kalinga War achieved. Noted historian Shri.
Ramesh Prasad Mohapatra aptly said - “The political history of mankind in
reality is a history of wars and no war has ended with so successful a mission
of peace for the entire war-torn humanity as the war of Kalinga”. This place is
for peace and clam, also I must mentioned there is not limitation on your caste
as it’s a Buddhas pagoda. A very well known place and pure white structure,
must visit it.
Any article on Dhauli Shanti Stupa is
incomplete without a brief on the Kalinga War- recorded as one of the bloodiest
wars ever fought in the annals of the history of mankind.
Kalinga War
The war was believed to have been fought
in 261 BC. The reason for Ashoka invading Kalinga were primarily two things.
1. Kalinga was a prosperous land
governed by valiant fiercely independent feudal chiefs and had no organized
army as such.
2. None other than Chandragupta Maurya
had failed to invade Kalinga. According to popular legend the Daya River which
meanders along the Dhauli hill turned red due to blood spilled on it from the
battlefield.
According to popular legend the Daya
River which meanders along the Dhauli hill turned red due to blood spilled on
it from the battlefield. The carvings in the Udayagiri caves located at
Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar denotes that even women and teenagers took to the
battle to defend their motherland. So fierce was the battle that it left Ashoka
bewildered and he transformed from Chanda Ashoka (war mongering Ashoka) to
Dharma Ashoka (peace loving Ashoka). Sadly the record books don’t have any
mention about the commander of the Kalinga Army.
The light and sound show elucidating
the travails of Ashoka is a must watch.
Destination 3, Lingaraj temple is a Hindu temple dedicated
to Shiva and is one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar, the
capital of the Indian state of Odisha, India. The temple is the most
prominent landmark of Bhubaneswar city and one of the major tourist attractions
of the state. Central tower of the temple is 180 ft (55 m)
tall. The temple represents the quintessence of the Kalinga
architecture and culminating the medieval stages of the architectural
tradition at Bhubaneswar.
The temple is
believed to be built by the kings from the Somavamsi dynasty, with later
additions from the Ganga rulers. The temple complex has 50 other
shrines and is enclosed by a large compound wall. The temple has images
of Vishnu, possibly because of the rising prominence
of Jagannath sect emanating from the Ganga rulers who built
the Jagannath Temple in Puri in the 12th century.
The central deity of
the temple, Lingaraja, is worshipped both as Shiva and Vishnu. The harmony
between the two sects of Hinduism, Shaivism, and Vaishnavism, is
seen in this temple where the deity is worshipped as Harihara, a combined
form of Vishnu and Shiva. Lingaraja temple is maintained by the Temple Trust
Board and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The temple has an
average of 6,000 visitors per day and receives lakhs of visitors during
festivals.
Destination 4, Udaygiri-Khandagiri , these places are in Bhubaneswar. Buses will not go to the top, you have to walk otherwise take a shared auto, which will cost only 50 INR per head. As it’s jain place, there are no limitation on caste so it’s open for everyone. Do researches little bit before going here. I saw some caves, which was created on 1st century, great attraction for history lovers. Monkeys are available here, if you are planning to feed them, foods are available just outside of this place, buy something and offer them. Request you not to tease them or provide unhealthy food to them, this may cause some effect of their health.
Destination 5, Nandan Kanan – Nandankanan
Zoological Park is a premier large zoo of India. Unlike other zoos in the
country, Nandankanan is built right inside the forest and set in a completely
natural environment. The animals are housed in enclosures with greenery with a
feel of real forest and live with no fear or apprehension of becoming the
hunter's prey. I love this place, this is very famous for his royal
Bengal tiger and white tiger.
Nandankanan is 15 kms from Odisha's capital, Bhubaneswar. The Bhubaneswar
railway station is at a distance of 18 kms and the Biju Patnaik International
Airport is at a distance of 20 kms. Tourist cottages inside Nandankanan are
available for accommodation, only during day time, on prior reservation from
the office of Deputy Director, Nandankanan Zoological Park.
Bags or food items are not allowed
inside, but you can take your water bottle with you. Food joints are available
inside of this park with limited food option. Request you to, please behave
like a human here and not to tease any animal.
The unique feature of Nandankanan Zoological Park -
· Nandankanan
is the first zoo in the World to breed White tiger and Melanistic tiger.
· Nanndankanan
is the only conservation breeding centre of Indian Pangolins in the world.
· Nandankanan
is the only zoological park in India to become an institutional member of World
Association of Zoos and Aquarium (WAZA).
· Nandankanan
is the only zoo in India after which an express train Puri-New Delhi express
has been named as “Nandankanan Express”.
· Nandankanan
is the first zoo in India where endangered Ratel was born in captivity.
· Nandankanan
is the only zoo in India to have an Open-top Leopard Enclosure.
· Nandankanan
is the second largest heronry for Open Billied Storks in Odisha.
Within this trip, our guide shows us
Daya River and one hindu temple from car. After the destination 5, car went
back to Puri.
Sudarshan
Crafts Museum: .At a distance of two kilometers from Puri Junction, the
Sudarshan Craft deposit is found at station road in Puri. it’s one of all the
most effective places to go to in Puri for art lovers. The Sudarshan Craft
deposit was started within the year 1977 by Shri Sudarshan Sahoo. The deposit
exhibits a nice assortment of creative works done by Sudarshan Sahoo like
carvings in wood, stone, and fiberglass, handicraft things, and conjointly fine
paintings. among the premises of deposit, one will witness a Buddhist temple
in-built a Japanese vogue, a library, and a workshop. Head
to this museum to look at traditional artwork and sculptures on display. You
can also indulge in some arts and crafts courses offered by the museum. Timings: 8 AM – 12 PM &
2 PM – 8 PM, Closed on Saturdays & Sundays.
What
is the Best Time to visit Jagannath Puri?
The best time to visit Jagannath Puri is from October to January. This
time is very conducive to freak out as the weather fluctuates between 15 to 25
Celsius and the major tourist spots in the city provide an enchanting look.
What festivals are famous in
Puri?
The Rath Yatra festival, Nava Kalebara and Beach festival are famous
festivals of Puri, Odisha.
Rath Festival – This festival of Jagannath Puri has
universal fame. This car festival is linked with the presiding dieters Lord
Jagannath, BalaBhadra and Subhadra in which they lake annual recreation
vacation to another smaller sanctum which is located 2 kms away. Early July
every year. This car festival takes place where millions of pilgrims come to
witness it.
In this festivity these deities find place in their separate chariots
and are pulled by the devotees to the Gundicha temple these rather are nicely
decorated in different colours. This is a great spectacle of India culture and
traditions.
Rath Yatra
Nava Kalebara – This festival has deep religious significance in which
the idols of the deities- Jagannath, BalaBhadra and Subhadra change their on
the forms. New idols are carved out of Chandra Neem trees with a prescribed
norm. First daru (wood) is transported to the temple and with full pomp and
show the vishvarkaramas (wood workers) start working for 21 days the new idols
are enshrined with strict religious rituals.
Snavijatra – This festival is celebrated in the
month of Jyeshtha (which normally is
june) on the full moon. In this bathing festival the deities are brought out
for public viewing.
Snavijatra
The Beach festival Puri – Fairs are organised
and beautiful handloom products like the ‘Pattachitra Sari’ are displayed for
the visitors for sale. At one hand, where the view of beautiful sand arts
created by proficient artists is a sight to behold, sports of Mallakhamb,
Kabaddi and beach volleyball set the tone for an enthralling evening of Yacht
and Regatta boat races.
Keep yourself busy with activities such as yoga
and water sports or check out the cultural events like theatre and photography
workshops. With exquisite local food adding the perfect flavour to your time
here, it’s a party you can’t afford to miss out on!. This is celebrated every
year on first week of November. In this festival the local craft, cuisine and
culture of odisha is exposed.
Beach Festival, Puri
I had fantatistic
experience of Puri trip.
So, are you ready to make
your 72 hours trip to Puri a visual and sensual treat?
"PURI" Top 20 Tourist Places | Puri Tourism
Dr. Mayank Chandrakar is a writer also. My first book "Ayurveda Self Healing: How to Achieve Health and Happiness" is available on Kobo and Instamojo. You can buy and read.
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https://www.kobo.com/search?query=Ayurveda+Self+Healing
The second Book "Think Positive Live Positive: How Optimism and Gratitude can change your life" is available on Kobo and Instamojo.
Very nice to place
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