Get pampered and relaxed at Lemonade Spa, nestled in the prestigious Puri Holiday Resort. This luxury spa provides an exclusive high level of tranquility and comfort that will become a reference place for people who are looking for a luxurious relaxation spa that combines outdated relaxation techniques with modern wellness practices.

Tranquil Ambiance and Personalized Care

When entering Lemonade Spa, you are met by a tranquil ambiance that shapes the path toward the total experience of being at ease. The spa’s architecture and design represent the company’s core value, which is a commitment to removing guests from their busy lives and bringing them into a tranquil place where they can restore and re-energize. The well-thought-out design includes private retreats, luscious water features, and soft lighting created with the sole intention of making you feel relaxed.

Lemonade Spa’s menu consists of myriads of spa treatments, starting with traditional massage options and ending with the most advanced beauty treatments. Each therapy is artistically designed for specific cases and focuses on the individual needs, thereby giving special attention that is both effective and luxurious. The best expert therapists at Lemonade Spa are experts not only in the delivery of high-quality treatments but also in creating customized treatments that meet the wellness goals of each guest.

One feature of Lemonade Spa that really stands out and makes this place unique is the multitude of holistic therapies. These therapies are a blend of various modalities, some of which are borrowed from different cultures. Aromatherapy sessions and detoxification programs are, however, included. A unique feature of the spa’s treatment programs is that they help achieve the balance between the mind-body balance. In addition, the spa aims to offer guests the possibility to get totally healthy and happy.

Holistic Wellness and Comprehensive Programs

For those looking to immerse themselves in wellness, Lemonade Spa has yoga and meditation sessions specifically geared towards that. Attendees interested in boosting their mental clarity and physical wellness through the sessions, which include techniques for expressing breathing, strength, and flexibility, will find these sessions useful. The classes range from the simple to the challenging, demonstrating the spa’s commitment to facilitating wellness on all levels.

Further, Lemonade Spa has unique spa packages that include various blended treatments to meet specific wellness requirements. They could provide a variety of these products, which would consist of combinations of customized massages, body wraps, facials, and more. As such, they would be offering holistic treatment that promotes stress relief techniques and general rejuvenation. Whether you are looking for an after-day package or a more extended retreat, guests can select the one that suits their time and taste best.

The holistic wellness retreat experience tour at Puri Holiday Resort isn’t just about spa services. The resort at our disposal comes complete with luxury amenities such as gourmet dining, stylish accommodations, and exhilarating leisure activities. Every detail of the resort, from the architectural design to the spa treatment, is welded onto the same goal: to make a complete wellness journey.

In addition to its appeal, Lemonade Spa is also active in health and wellness programs that go beyond physical procedures. The majority of these programs consist of nutritional advice, lifestyle workshops, and wellness coaching, which aim to support guests on a journey towards a better way of living. Such integration points to the spa’s desire to offer more than leisure—it’s about providing guests with a transformative experience that they will be able to carry with them long after the visit.

Lemonade Spa’s individualized treatment is manifested in all aspects, ranging from the choice of spa products all the way down to individual wellness programs. This keenness for details ensures that every visitor enjoys the utmost level of service and care that the spa facilities stand for, as well as dedication to quality and personalized care.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Lemonade Spa at Puri Holiday Resort has evolved to be not just a spa but a travel destination that provides a profound physical and emotional regenerating effect. It assures its guests of both relaxation and rejuvenation and so much more, which they will keep in good memory. Whether you want to go to a relaxing place to disconnect and recharge your battery or a rehabilitation program to refresh your health, Lemonade Spa provides an extraordinary spa experience with the class. Let’s book you an experience a spa, unlike the rest, at a place where luxury is king. Get ready to live a lifestyle of the highest standards, mind and body wellbeing.

 

 

 

Puri, famous for its spiritual importance and dramatic coastline, is not only a pilgrimage, but for those who love ocean serenity, it is a heaven. An array of ocean view accommodations sets Puri apart from other destinations and makes it the ultimate beachfront accommodation for travelers looking for an ultimate beachfront experience. Whether you are here for relaxation, adventure, or spiritual cleansing, Puri’s beach facing hotels and sea-facing suites give a view of the panorama of the majestic Bay of Bengal.

Luxury and Comfort by the Sea

The spectral essence of these services is Puri Holiday Resort, which is famed throughout the city as the best hotel in Puri near beach. Its reputation as a place offering supreme luxury and comfort is unbeatable because of the incorporation of modern facilities and breathtaking views. This is where, every morning, a canvas is decorated with the vibrant colors of sunrise, which is clearly visible from your sea-facing suites. These are not just rooms but rooms for rest, where the only background noise is the lulling sound of waves.

Meanwhile, the beach facing hotels in Puri create a unique atmosphere for the people who value closeness with the ocean and the sand. This will permit you to visit the beach whenever you want— early in the morning when gazing at the sunset or in the middle of the day. When it comes to sandy shores, this coastal city is home to a variety of different seaside lodging options, from luxurious to budget accommodations, offering beachside retreats to accommodate all the visitors.

Diverse Accommodation Options for Every Traveler

These coastal retreats look more than just a place to crash; they are built to boost your entire vacation. Whether it be luxury beach resorts with top-notch spas and exquisite dining or homey, family-friendly hotels that provide comfort and simplicity – the variety is immense. The beautiful sunrise views from the balcony of these accommodations are a delight to look at, one that attracts all who experience it.

Further advancing into the luxury segment, Puri’s luxury beach resorts will be one more embodiment of decadence by the sea. These luxury hotels are not only known for the high quality of their accommodation but also excel in creating attractive health programs, fine eateries, and individualized services, which are very suitable for their upscale clients. A combination of luxury accommodations, exemplary service, and picturesque ocean views, these resorts have become the first destination of many discriminating travelers.

To those who are looking for a combination of affordability and comfort, the segment of the 3 star hotel in Puri offers an excellent but balanced option. These hotels have, however, taken in lodging that offers exceptional amenities, very efficient services, and accommodations that are pretty comfortable, all this while allowing the guest the liberty to vie with the spectacular sights of Puri. They act as the best options, especially for families, groups of friends attending a trip, and solo travelers who wish to experience the beach at a close distance.

Experiencing Puri’s Vibrant Culture and Beach Life

The lure of Puri is not just in its excellent stay options but also in its exuberant beach life. The Puri beach resorts are at the heart of a vibrant atmosphere on Puri Beach. They offer guests convenient access to beach activities, shops, and, most importantly, cultural events. You might be paddling on a Jet-ski, playing volleyball on the beach, or just getting a tan at the shore; these beaches are a combination of relaxation and excitement.

On the other hand, Puri’s cultural richness, which immensely contributes to the holistic experience, is also unique. In many resorts, guided tours to the nearby hot spots like the Jagannath Temple and the artist villages are provided, which reveal more insights into the ancient past. This fusion of cultural immer­­­­sion coupled with the wealthy coastal lives of Puri makes it a distinct destination that not only offers spiritually fulfilling but exotic, worldly pleasures.

Conclusion

Lastly, whether you are in search of the luxury of beachfront rooms, the convenience of sea-facing suites, or the budget-friendly charms of beach facing hotels in Puri, there is a choice for everyone. The mix of the spiritual mood, rich culture, and beautiful sea views contribute to Puri’s attraction to the people who want to experience waking up to the waves. Book a stay now at one of the fantastic ocean view accommodations, and you surely will be part of the magical coastal aura of Puri, which got you started with seeing and listening to the blessing of the ocean, every fucking morning of yours.

 

My infatuation with Puri culture unfolded when I first stepped into this sacred city, which houses a wealth of arts and Odisha traditions. Puri is not just a city. It is a collage of colorful cultures, ancient rituals, and an unrivalled religious aura where everybody feels comfortable. I want us to wander the lanes of Puri, where I caught that special magic.

Temple Rituals and Cultural Festivals

The ultimate zenith of Puri’s divinity is the Jagannath Temple – an architectural wonder and a wish pilgrimage place of millions. This is not just a building built of stones but a proof of faith in Lord Jagannath. Being a part of temple rituals and seeing the devotion brought that inner peace in me, for which the place is ever so significant in history.

The Rath Yatra, or Chariot festival, is a showpiece of Puri festivals that brings its unique expression to life. This festival is the most significant event synonymous with cultural diversity and includes a sea of devotees pulling the divine chariots of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra. The atmosphere becomes thronging and suffused with chants, confronting the pilgrimage experience that cannot be found at any other destination.

Cultural and Culinary Delights

Puri’s culture is not limited to its temples. The beach culture of this place is colourful, with ocean and beach facing hotels in Puri giving beautiful views of the Bay of Bengal. Puri beaches are not only for relaxation, but they are also venues for sand art displays, which add to the cultural diversity that Puri is known for.

In addition, Puri is well-known for the classical Odissi dance drama, which is full of stories of love and passion. Observing the Odissi dance form on the stage takes you into a magic world of an unsurpassed mixture of grace and mythology where the Odisha folklore has emerged skillfully and lavishly.

The Puri cuisine shines among food lovers as the seafood delicacies that dominate the local palate are the main attraction. Meanwhile, the town’s local markets are teeming with fresh sea cultivated on that day, and dining in one of the hotels of 3 star hotel in Puri gives a natural feeling of a food paradise. Puri handicrafts, another unique angle of its culture that shows locals’ skills and creative ability, is another beautiful present to take back home.

Architectural Wonders and Local Engagement

Amidst all its grand architecture, there is a spiritual air that hangs over Puri in its temples and architecture. Puri architecture, a melange of old style and holy meaning, reveals itself in the graceful Konark Sun Temple, one of the most outstanding examples of this special fusion. This UNESCO World Heritage Site situated close to Puri is an architectural specimen dedicated to the sun god Surya.

There is no doubt that the culture of Puri is imbued mainly with the Odia language, which has a sweet tone and speaks of the precious warmth of its people. Interacting with locals in Odia, even if just a few words, gave me a better feeling and understanding of the Puri traditions and customs and made my visit even more special.

The historical significance is not limited only to its temples and festivals. It is a city that has seen centuries of worship, invasions, and strength, all of which have added to its unique vibe. The spiritual ambience that envelops Puri, however, is serene and peaceful. This is one of the reasons that pilgrims come to it, seeking solitude and enlightenment.

Amongst all the comforts of the Puri Holiday Resort, the best hotel in Puri near beach near the beach provided me with not only comfort but also an unrivalled view of the ocean, which reminds me of the grandness and the magnificence of nature that Puri possesses. The beach facing hotels in Puri are not just a place to stay; they are ways of accessing the beauty of the sea in the morning and evening.

Conclusion

Puri is not just a city. It is a nostalgia that embraces you, and you embrace it long after leaving the city behind. Its cultural diversity, the powerful spiritual experience, and the hospitality of the locals always urge me to visit this place more than a few times. No matter whether devotion is seen in the Jagannath temple, artistic expression is demonstrated by Odissi dance, the lovely sights at the beaches, or the delicious food that is offered; the place seems like a heaven away from the world, indeed.

The trip into the heart of Puri culture was awakening; it brought out the beauty that comes with faith, tradition and simplicity. Puri, which holds historical importance, spiritual atmosphere, and colorful cultural diversity, is a destination and a journey to the depth of Odisha’s soul.

 

 

Puri, a revered city nestled along the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Odisha, India, is a treasure trove of spirituality, history, and architectural grandeur. It is famously known as the spiritual capital of Odisha, attracting thousands of pilgrims and tourists yearly. This ancient city is home to some of the most significant temples in Hinduism, each narrating a tale of devotion, artistry, and cultural heritage. In this blog, we will journey through the most famous ancient temples in Puri, exploring their cultural significance, ancient architecture, and the Puri temple history that shapes the spiritual landscape of this holy city.

Konark Temple

The Konark Temple, dedicated to the Sun God Surya, stands as an architectural masterpiece that showcases the zenith of ancient Indian artistry. Located approximately 35 kilometers from Puri, this UNESCO World Heritage site, also known as the Sun Temple, is famed for its intricate carvings, astronomical significance, and the colossal chariot-shaped structure. Visiting Konark offers a unique glimpse into the ancient architecture in Puri and its surrounding regions, making it a must-visit landmark.

Puri Jagannath Temple

At the core of Puri temple pilgrimage lies the Puri Jagannath Temple, a sacred abode of Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This temple is not just a religious site but a vibrant cultural hub that hosts the annual Rath Yatra, drawing devotees from across the globe. The temple’s towering structure, detailed artwork, and the mystique of its deities encapsulate the religious landmarks in Puri, making it an essential visit for anyone seeking spiritual solace.

PanchaTirtha

PanchaTirtha refers to the five holy water bodies within Puri, believed to cleanse the souls of pilgrims. A circuit of these tanks, including Indradyumna, Markandeya, Swetaganga, Rohini, and the sea near the Jagannath Temple, forms an integral part of the Puri temple itinerary, offering a serene and purifying experience to devotees. Pilgrims believe that by offering prayers and lighting oil lamps around this kund on auspicious occasions like Ekadashi (eleventh day after full moon or new moon), they can attain moksha (salvation).

Lokanath Temple

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Lokanath Temple is one of Puri’s hidden gems. According to legend, Lord Shiva established a lingam here, making it a significant site for Shaivites. The temple, surrounded by a water moat, is believed to have a lingam that is always submerged, adding to its mystical allure. A visit to this temple will leave you feeling spiritually rejuvenated and connected to the divine energy of Lord Shiva.

Vimala Temple

Within the Jagannath Temple complex lies the Vimala Temple, dedicated to Goddess Vimala (Bimala), considered the tantric consort of Lord Jagannath. This temple stands as a pivotal sacred site in Puri, symbolizing the potent shakti (energy) and underscoring the importance of the Divine Feminine in Hindu worship. Unlike other deities who are offered cooked food as prasad (holy offering), here only uncooked offerings such as fruits, flowers, and sweets are presented to Goddess Vimala.

Varahi Temple

The Varahi Temple at Chaurasi, near Puri, is an ancient center of worship dedicated to Goddess Varahi. Known for its remarkable sculptures and Tantric affiliations, this temple offers a unique peek into the medieval religious practices and temple hopping in Puri. Today, Varahi Temple remains an active place of worship attracting devotees from all over India.

Darya Mahavir or Bedi Hanuman Temple

The Darya Mahavir or Bedi Hanuman Temple is situated close to the sea and holds a special place among the religious landmarks in Puri. Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, it is believed to protect the town from the wrath of the sea. The temple’s unique location and the devotion it inspires make it a significant stop on the Puri temple pilgrimage.

Sakshigopal or Satyabadi Gopinatha Temple

The Sakshigopal or Satyabadi Gopinatha Temple is renowned for its legend of love and devotion. It houses a life-size image of Lord Krishna (Gopinatha), believed to have turned into a witness (Sakshi) for a devotee’s marriage. Visiting this temple adds a layer of romantic folklore to the cultural significance of Puri temples. It boasts intricate carvings on its walls depicting scenes from Hindu mythology and attracts tourists not just for its religious importance but also its aesthetic appeal.

Alarnath Mandir

Alarnath Mandir becomes especially significant during the Anavasara period, when the deities of Jagannath Temple rest post the Rath Yatra. Devotees flock to Alarnath to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu, making it an integral part of the spiritual journey in Puri. This serene abode of mercy offers solace and peace amidst the chaos of everyday life. As you stand in front of the divine deity, all your worries seem insignificant as you surrender yourself completely to his grace.

Puri Temple Itinerary

Embarking on a temple hopping in Puri offers not just a journey through the city’s ancient lanes but a deeper dive into the essence of Hindu philosophy and the cultural significance of Puri temples. Each temple, with its distinct history, deity, and architectural style, contributes to Puri’s rich tapestry of spirituality and heritage.

Sacred Sites of Puri

While the temples are the heart of Puri’s spiritual landscape, the city’s beaches, markets, and the very air that whispers tales of devotion, make Puri’s sacred sites a holistic experience. The ancient architecture, the rhythmic chants, and the vibrant festivals of these temples paint a picture of a living culture that has thrived for centuries.

Cultural Significance of Puri Temples

The temples of Puri are not just places of worship; they are custodians of history, culture, and art. They represent a continuum of Puri temple history, preserving practices, languages, and crafts that might have otherwise faded into oblivion. The hidden gems among Puri temples offer a quieter, yet equally profound, experience of spirituality and peace.

Conclusion

Puri is a city that lives and breathes through its temples. Each corner tells a story, each stone holds a prayer, and every temple door opens to a world of ancient wisdom and divine presence. Whether you are drawn by faith, history, or architecture, the ancient temples in Puri offer a journey that transcends the boundaries of the mundane, leading pilgrims and travelers towards the sublime. As you plan your visit, remember that to truly experience Puri is to immerse yourself in its sanctity, to listen to the stories of its stones, and to let its sacred aura envelop you. Welcome to Puri, where the divine meets the earthly, and history whispers to the hearts of the faithful.

Puri, a coastal city located in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, is renowned for its historical significance, beautiful beaches, and spiritual ambiance. It’s a place where culture and nature blend seamlessly, offering families a unique mix of experiences that cater to both adults and children alike. Whether you’re seeking spiritual solace at the famous Jagannath Temple or looking to unwind on the sandy shores of Puri Beach, this city has something for everyone. In this blog, we will explore the 10 best tourist places to visit in Puri with your family in 2024, including tips on how to stay, and the best timings to visit these spots. From Puri tourism essentials to budget-friendly options in Puri for families, let’s dive into the heart of this cultural haven.

1. Jagannath Temple: A Spiritual Beacon

Must-see landmarks in Puri undoubtedly include the Jagannath Temple, a revered site for Hindus worldwide. This architectural marvel is not just a place of worship but a living testament to ancient art and culture. Families can experience the grandeur of the Rath Yatra festival if they visit in June or July. However, note that only Hindus are allowed inside the temple premises, but the magnificence of the temple can be appreciated from the outside by everyone.

2. Puri Beach: Sun, Sand, and Surf

A trip to Puri is incomplete without spending quality time at Puri Beach. It’s one of the best places to visit in Puri with kids, offering ample space for them to play and build sandcastles while adults can enjoy a serene sunset. The beach is well-maintained and offers a variety of water sports activities for an adventurous day out.

3. Raghurajpur Artist Village: Cultural Experiences in Puri for Families

Just a short drive from Puri, Raghurajpur is a heritage crafts village known for its Pattachitra painters and Gotipua dance troupes. Visiting this village is a great way to introduce your family to the rich cultural tapestry of Odisha, with artists readily displaying their work and sometimes allowing visitors to try their hand at painting. And don’t forget to take home some unique souvenirs as keepsakes of your unforgettable cultural journey in Raghurajpur.

4. Chilika Lake: A Nature Lover’s Paradise

Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, is an excellent spot for bird watching, especially during the winter months when migratory birds visit. Boating trips to see dolphins and the scenic beauty of the lake make for a memorable family-friendly activity in Puri. The best time to visit is from November to February.

5. Sudarshan Craft Museum: A Glimpse into Artistic Mastery

Founded by Sri Sudarshan Sahoo, this museum is a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of local artisans. It houses a collection of woodcarvings, stone sculptures, and paintings, showcasing the artistic heritage of Odisha. It’s a must-visit for families interested in art and history. Whether you are an art enthusiast or simply looking for a unique experience, Sudarshan Craft Museum is sure to leave you in awe with its stunning collection of artistry and craftsmanship.

6. Konark Sun Temple: Marvel at Ancient Architecture

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Konark Sun Temple is an architectural wonder that dates back to the 13th century. Located about 35 kilometers from Puri, it’s famous for its intricate carvings and astronomical significance. The temple, designed in the shape of a colossal chariot, is a fascinating site for families to explore. A trip to Konark Sun Temple will leave you awestruck by both its architectural brilliance and cultural significance.

7. Puri Sea Shell Museum: Unique Collections for Curious Minds

For a unique experience, visit the Sea Shell Museum, which houses an impressive collection of shells from across the world. It’s a fascinating place for children and adults alike, offering insights into the diverse marine life and the beauty of natural formations. Overall, Puri Sea Shell Museum offers an educational yet entertaining experience for all ages. So whether you’re a shell enthusiast or simply curious about marine life, make sure to add this unique attraction to your travel itinerary in Puri!

8. Pipili: The Town of Appliqué Artwork

On your way to Puri, make sure to stop by Pipili, a town famous for its vibrant appliqué work. The colorful handicrafts make for wonderful souvenirs and gifts. Visiting Pipili offers a glimpse into the local craft tradition and supports the artisans directly. So next time you’re planning a trip to Puri or Odisha, don’t forget to add Pipili to your itinerary for an unforgettable experience filled with vibrant colors and incredible artwork.

9. Bimala Temple: A Dive into Spiritual History

Located within the Jagannath Temple complex, the Bimala Temple holds immense religious significance. It’s a place where families can observe rituals and learn about the spiritual heritage of Puri. The serene atmosphere of the temple provides a peaceful retreat. . A visit to this sacred place not only offers a glimpse into ancient spiritual practices but also showcases remarkable resilience in preserving cultural heritage. Whether you are seeking solace or interested in learning about India’s rich history, a trip to Bimala Temple will surely leave an everlasting imprint on your heart and soul.

10. Narendra Pokhari: A Historic Water Tank with Sacred Importance

Narendra Pokhari, also known as Narendra Tank, is a large water body in Puri known for its religious festivals and clean, scenic surroundings. It’s a great spot for a leisurely evening, where families can enjoy boat rides and the tranquil atmosphere. The lush green gardens surrounding the tank add to its charm, making it a popular spot for picnics and family outings. Throughout the year, various festivals are celebrated at Narendra Pokhari with great fervor. The most famous one being Makar Mela which falls on January 14th every year where thousands of pilgrims gather around the tank.

How to Stay

Puri caters to a wide array of accommodation preferences, ranging from luxury hotels in Puri to budget-friendly options for families. One standout choice for families looking for a mix of comfort, convenience, and luxury is the Holiday Resort Puri. Located strategically on the shores of Puri Beach, this resort offers a serene beachfront experience coupled with amenities that cater to both adults and children. It features spacious rooms, a swimming pool, a wellness spa, and dining options that serve a variety of cuisines. The resort also organizes local tours and activities, making it a perfect base for exploring Puri.

For families on a tighter budget, there are numerous guest houses and mid-range hotels that provide comfortable and affordable accommodation. These options ensure that families can enjoy their stay in Puri without stretching their finances too thin.

Wrapping Up

Puri is a destination that promises a blend of spiritual, cultural, and natural experiences. From the sacred environs of the Jagannath Temple to the artistic lanes of Raghurajpur and the soothing breeze of Puri Beach, the city offers a plethora of attractions for families to explore. By planning your visit around the best tourist places in Puri, and considering the various family-friendly activities in Puri, you’re guaranteed to have a memorable trip. Remember to explore both the well-known and the less-traveled paths to fully experience the richness of Puri tourism.

Introduction to Puri’s Coastal Charm

The beautiful city of Puri, located on the eastern coast of India, conveys a peaceful seascape that is situated amidst the sea. This makes it an irresistible place a number of visitors go to in search of spiritual serenity and coastal recreation.

Dedicated to the famous Jagannath Temple, Puri is also renowned for the tremendous golden beaches that rise from the Bay of Bengal to a great extent. Such a city incorporates the elements of spiritual dialogue and scenic appeal, leading to a distinctive sort of cultural density and natural beauty mash-up.

The magic of Puri’s coastline lies in the luxury accommodation located along the seafront. Here, the true essence of the city can be experienced, blending urban conveniences with old traditions while also providing unbeatable access to witness this heavenly place at its best. Depending on the first light of dawn in the distance, the hues of tranquility remain on the summer backdrop of Puri Beach but turn into the depth of flavor of rejuvenation, indulgence, and relaxation.

The Essence of Luxury in Hotel Selection

Choosing luxury sea facing hotels puri becomes essential, especially when the hotel implements the local coastal appeal while at the same time assuring supreme comfort and being the most suitable place for my dream vacation.

Hotel Holiday Resort is simply the perfect embodiment of this style, as it effortlessly combines the beauty of its seaside environment with the best modern amenities. Being a 1983-established hotel that has grown to be a leading option for travelers with exquisite taste, it boasts an extensive room and suite variety to cater to different requirements, from the opulent Presidential Suite to cozy Deluxe Cottages.

The hotel’s prime location next to the major attractions, along with the top-notch Lemonade Spa, the culinary wonders of Fusion and Gajapati restaurants, and the professional event facilities, makes such a stay a true treat. For an excellent resort with high ratings and outstanding appreciation for cultural richness and modern luxury, there is no doubt that this place is where you can look for the comfortable and welcoming ambiance that you seek for your retreat in Puri.

Exploring the Puri Seashore: Attractions and Activities

Puri’s Beach, with its golden stretches of sand along the Bay of Bengal, mesmerizes visitors looking for a place for both relaxation and adventure. The Golden Beach, which is known for its unparalleled magnificence, is an ideal location for sunrise and sunset yoga classes, signifying serenity and spiritual revitalization.

There is more to the quiet beaches and sunbathing in the salt sea than just that. It is the sports hub for those who love water sports like surfing, jet skiing, and banana boat rides, which are full of excitement against the endless expanse of the sea.

Upon stepping away from the Beach, however, the Swargadwar market buzzes with the local rustic culture in which its colorful paintings, handicrafts, traditional clothes, and souvenirs abound, creating a market with a memorable shopping experience. Culinary travelers would be spoilt to death as they relish the mouthwatering seafood delicacies at the beach shacks where the taste of the coast comes alive.

Not only is this a place for visitors who want to have a cultural and spiritual experience, but also, it is also a short distance away from the iconic Jagannath Temple, inviting the ones who wish to explore Odia’s history and religious traditions more deeply. Puri’s Beach is a rich evocation of coastal beauty, cultural heritage, and courage, compiling memorabilia for every visitor.

Unveiling the Finest Luxury Hotels near Puri’s Sea Beach

Situated at the breathtaking seashore in Puri, a host of sumptuous luxury hotels delight visitors with the highest levels of elegance and tranquility, offering an outstanding seaboard experience.

With the goal of providing opulent luxury hotels in puri combining tradition with modern commodities, these places are created. Guests can spoil themselves in exclusive suites with beautiful sea views, compete for culinary fervor with exquisite dining options that relay the essence of local and international food and relax in high-end spa facilities.

Every hotel features its distinctive characteristics, starting from the eye-catching architecture and calling to intimate beachfront properties. This is what makes your stay outstanding. 

Hotel Holiday Resort is one of the best sea view hotels in Puri, equipped with a wide range of options for accommodation, with presidential and royal suites being the most luxurious and the most usual deluxe and family rooms. Every room type is designed to be a comfortable and elegant space, with essential equipment and services customized to specific requirements and wishes.

Whether the search is for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous discovery of Puri’s cultural wonders, these luxury hotels near the Sea Beach are ready to attend to all the needs, thus providing a glimpse of Odisha’s beautiful sea coast away from the hustle of daily life.

Experiencing Opulence: Amenities and Services Offered

Tasting the grandeur of Hotel Holiday Resort exposes a universe of supreme amenities and spectacular services developed exclusively for even the most sophisticated travelers. Furthermore, the resort proposes the establishment of an entirely new venue, “Baker’s Cafe,” a cozy place for guests to unwind over freshly baked items with beverage options to cover all occasions, from a lazy morning to a beautiful evening.

Fitness freaks can utilize the latest exercise equipment available at the resort, such as the hi-tech gym. Additionally, the “Ayurvedic Massage Centre” provides an appealing and tranquil environment for healing, which features the traditional treatments of Ayurveda that are claimed to give calmness and revitalization. The resort’s uniqueness of having culinary, wellness, and fitness amenities with the aim of personalized service makes the resort stand out and provides exceptional luxury and comfort to its guests.

Dining Delights: Culinary Experiences in Puri’s Luxury Hotels

The elite Puri hotels on the beach feast the eyes with their cuisine, with the Holiday Resort leading the way in presenting a range of innovative gastronomic offerings for a global market. Exploring visitors get to taste various cuisines, from traditional Odia dishes that command attention with their delicate flavors and fresh seafood to exquisite international gourmet snacks in a cozy atmosphere.

The Holiday Resort has various dining choices, such as the multi-cuisine Fusion restaurant, which is also located beside the poolside Gajapati, where diners can enjoy their meals with a breathtaking view. These restaurateurs take pride in using only the freshest local ingredients; hence, every meal is not just delicious but also holds the cultural significance of the area’s cuisine heritage.

Unwinding in Style: Spa and Wellness Offerings

In addition to their luxury hotel offerings, the spa and wellness facilities have become a place of calm for those in search of tranquility and restoration. The one holistic thing that sets the Lemonade Spa hub at Holiday Resort apart is that it offers traditional ayurvedic professional massages and contemporary wellness therapies that are specially designed to detoxify as well as de-stress.

Such centers treat patients in a quiet and relaxing atmosphere that has qualified specialists. Therefore, the healing process is carried out in a high-quality and professional manner. Tourists are able to enjoy their preference for personalized treatments that are tailor-made for their health and bodily relaxation needs. Therefore, the retreat becomes a perfect place for both body and mind during Puri’s fulfilling time of peace.

Beyond the Beach: Day Trips and Excursions

The quaint beach town of Puri may look calm, but hidden beneath its surface is an array of cultural, spiritual, and natural discoveries waiting to be unraveled. Walk on the daily trips to the massive Jagannath temple, a legacy of Odisha’s rich heritage that is full of divine spirituality and magnificent architecture that is fascinating to the visitors.

Go even more to the Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to admire its sophisticated carvings and astronomy exactitude. Those who appreciate nature can find refuge in Chilika Lake, the largest brackish water lagoon on the Asian continent, for bird watching and leisurely boat cruises.

These trips from Puri are an exotic and evergreen blend of philosophy, adventure, and peacefulness, which showcase more of its charm, which lies beyond the sands.

Testimonials and Reviews: Guest Experiences

Testimonials and reviews of guests who have stayed at the luxurious hotels in Puri touch upon the opulent service, extraordinarily mesmerizing food, and rejuvenating spa therapies. Customers often need to write about the helpful staff, the cozy and nicely decorated rooms, and the fantastic overall atmosphere of their hotels in their opinions and feedback.

Guests of the Holiday Resort rejoice in the out-of-this-world sea views, the delicious food variety, and the calming spa treatments that confirm the resort as the best hospitality spot in town. Such reviews have become proof of this hotel’s capability of providing an unforgettable journey to its next customers, thereby creating a stir in the minds of future guests to travel to this hotel for their luxury getaway.

Tips for Booking the Perfect Luxury Stay in Puri

Indeed, choosing a luxury stay in Puri that suits you immensely requires some planning and thoughtfulness. Firstly, rank your preferences on their importance, be it the opportunity to have beachfront access, spa services, or dining options.

People who plan their trips can have better rooms and cheaper deals, particularly at high season travel. Look for package deals that include meals, spa treatments, or excursions, as they can be of higher value. Reading up-to-date reviews and testimonials can feed the knowledge of guest experiences.

Ultimately, examine the geographic relation to the famous sites in Puri so that you save time on long travels. So, using these tips, travelers can completely immerse themselves in the beauty of the coastal region and the spirit of the age-old traditions of the place.

Embracing Tranquility: Unveiling the Best Hotel in Puri Near Beach

If you’re seeking a luxurious and spiritually enriching experience at a budget friendly sea facing luxury 3-star hotel in Puri, then Hotel Holiday Resort is your destination. Hotel Holiday Resort offers comfortable accommodation and serene ambiance, making it an excellent choice for a wholesome Puri holiday for your family.

Whispers of Divinity: Your Sacred Retreat at the Best Hotel in Puri Near Sea Beach

Here is why choosing to stay at Hotel Holiday Resort near the beach in Puri might help you find the whispers of divinity:

  • Location: It is situated at a prime location which makes transportation easy and flexible. Its proximity to the Puri sea beach gives you breath-taking views of the beach from the hotel room. You have access to a private beach to enjoy the serene surroundings.
  • Recreation: You can have a fun and refreshing experience in our well maintained swimming pools, or, relax yourself in our wellness spa services at the Lemonade spa.
  • Luxurious Accommodations: You get variety of rooms including presidential rooms, deluxe rooms, deluxe cottages, family rooms, and standard rooms. These rooms come with classic furniture, digital lockers, TV, air conditioners, Wi-Fi, refrigerators, and room service. Essentials like drinking water, toiletries, and dining tables for selected rooms are also provided.
  • Dining: There are two on-site restaurants, one of them with an attached bar, while the other being a fine dining place. They serve a variety of delectable cuisines and drinks so that you do not have to dine outside.
  • Cultural and Tourist Attractions: You get convenient access and transportation facility to the Jagannath temple, making it easier for you to explore the local culture and heritage.
  • Family-Friendly Environment: The resort caters to the families and provides activities and services suitable for children, making it a good choice for family vacations.

Are you planning to stay in a luxury hotel in Puri? Must read 7 Reasons to choose a luxury hotel in Puri near sea beach

Oceanic Bliss: A Coastal Escape at the Finest Hotel in Puri Near the Beach

Immerse yourself in coastal escapes and oceanic bliss at the Hotel Holiday Resort in Puri. We offer a perfect blend of luxury and seaside tranquillity. Here’s how:

  • Witness spectacular sight of the sea, soothing sounds of waves crashing against the shore, and direct access to the beachfront.
  • Luxurious accommodations with top notch amenities for maximum comfort and relaxation.
  • Great culinary experience with delectable cuisines at our restaurants.
  • Relax, unwind, and rejuvenate at our Lemonade Spa amidst lush landscapes and stunning views.
  • Personalize your stay with our assistance by getting in-touch with us to maximize your stay.

Sacred Sojourns and Seaside Serenity: Finding Home in Puri’s Best Beach Hotel

Hotel Holiday Resort epitomizes the experience of finding a home away from home wherein our guests can embark on a journey of spiritual renewal and discover the profound beauty of the ocean. Apart from great accommodation, food, and visuals, the staffs in our hotel win you over with their warm hospitality, care, and attention to detail. We have cultivated a surrounding where our guests find a sense of belonging and camaraderie making them feel truly at home.

Temple Trails and Tidal Tunes: Your Ultimate Destination to Puri’s Best Hotel

Here’s why Hotel Holiday Resort is your ultimate destination for an unforgettable experience of cultural exploration and seaside relaxation:

  • Proximity to Sacred Sites: We are strategically located near Puri’s iconic landmarks, allowing guests easy access to explore the rich cultural heritage and spiritual significance of the region.
  • Cultural Immersion: Guests have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the vibrant traditions, rituals, local crafts, and cuisines through the guided tours organized by us.
  • Seaside Splendour: Witness wonderful views of the sea and direct access to pristine beaches. Sun bask, stroll along the shore, or simply unwind with the soothing sound of waves lapping against the shore.
  • Recreational Activities: Apart from temple tours and beachside relaxation, you can enjoy swimming in our pool, practice yoga on the beach, or embark on a thrilling water sports adventure.

Sunsets by the Shore: Puri’s Top Hotel Near Beach and Temples

Hotel Holiday Resort, by virtue of being at a prime location near Puri Golden Beach offers guests the opportunity to enjoy picturesque sunsets by the shore. After witnessing the beauty of dusk, the guests can explore the rich cultural heritage of Puri’s temples.

Sands of Spirituality: Unwind at Puri’s Best Hotel Near Temples and Beach

At Hotel Holiday Resort experience a serene and culturally enriching retreat to find your solace and rejuvenation. Guests can relax in cozy accommodations and enjoy serene moments by the sea, followed by visits to the Lord Jagannath temple to experience the spiritual essence of Puri.

Planning to visit Puri? BOOK your stay at Hotel Holiday Resort Today!

Visualize when you wake up to the pleasant sound of waves crashing softly on the shoreline, music that calls you to your hotel window back, looking out to the sea in Puri. The first rays of dawn on the horizon fire gold and pink, filling the Bay of Bengal with a magical sheen. When you are tucked in the comfort of the plush bed, you feel that Puri is not just a location but a combination of experiences that start with your stay in Sea Facing Hotels in Puri.

The beautiful vision of the ocean, the soft sea breeze on the skin, and the hypnotic sound of diffusive waves accompany each step of a day filled with adventure and calm. This is also true, and the experience of staying in a sea facing hotel in Puri beach is beautiful.

This embodied experience links you with the most splendid spots of the city, nature and heritage, leaving you spiritually fulfilled. It is an opportunity to get drenched in the pristine beauty of the Bay of Bengal, where this five-star hotel resort offers a magnificent sight with top-class amenities and luxuries.

Prime Location and Effortless Accessibility

Hotel Holiday Resort is not just a centre of accommodation but also a destination that is only 500 meters from Puri Railway Station and 60 kilometres from Biju Patnaik International Airport. The hotel is located on Chakratirtha Road, near the Puri Golden Sea Beach, where accessibility meets beauty.

This strategic location gives you effortless access to the peacefully fostered beachfront and is just a short walk to Puri’s central spiritual hub, making for the perfect relaxation spot for cultural explorers.

Adding to the ease and comfort of your journey, the resort is conveniently located and positioned close to all major transport hubs, ensuring that you have a memorable journey from the beginning.

Must read: What to keep in mind while searching for a 3-Star Luxury Hotel in Puri for Your Family Beach Vacation?

Things to Do Near Sea-Facing Hotels

Residing in a luxury 3-star hotel in Puri with your family turns over a massive bonus of amusing and attractive activities that ensure a stimulating and thrilling holiday. What comes first and foremost is that the stunning coast offers a perfect frame for relaxation and numerous water sports, allowing you to feel the excitement and thrill against the background of a beautiful view of the Bay of Bengal.

A visit to the famous Jagannath Puri Temple, one of the Char Dhamas, is a spiritual journey many devotees expect. This ancient temple is a striking combination of the rich spiritual heritage of India and its gorgeous architecture. Visiting the local market at least once is vital for tourists who want to experience the local culture and delicacies of the area.

The Odia cuisine, often praised for its subtle flavours and extensive seafood delicacies, can delight any food connoisseur. A boat trip to Chilika Lake, the most extensive brackish water lagoon in Asia, the shelter of migratory birds and Irrawaddy dolphins, is a fantastic trip perfect for those in love with nature.

Finally, the sun, forgetting the sunset over the Bay of Bengal, is understandably stunning. The sensational view of the sun being swallowed by the Ganges, which, in turn, is reflected in the sky through the colours of orange and pink, is very beautiful and is excellent to cap off the day in Puri.

A Sanctuary of Comfort and Luxury

Upon arrival, guests are welcomed into unparalleled luxury and comfort at the Hotel Holiday Resort, a gem among best hotels in puri. This exquisite establishment prides itself on an impressive array of amenities meticulously designed to cater to every need and preference of its esteemed guests.

From the convenience of secured parking for those arriving by vehicle, ensuring the safety and security of your transportation, to the provision of complimentary high-speed internet that keeps you connected to the world beyond, every aspect of your stay has been thoughtfully considered.

The resort’s diverse swimming facilities, including an indoor pool that offers a tranquil escape regardless of the weather, an expansive outdoor pool that captures the essence of sun-soaked leisure, and a specially designed children’s pool for the enjoyment of younger guests, ensure that water-based relaxation and entertainment are always within reach.

Culinary Delights and Gastronomic Experiences

The dining experience at Hotel Holiday Resort goes beyond spectacular, enabling guests to explore a culinary journey that encompasses the big world. Situated on the territory of the resort, Fusion and Gajapati Restaurants offer your customers a choice of various tastes and preferences in terms of dining.

The restaurant that is favoured in the dining destination, such as amalgamation, has an unparalleled menu selection that not only tantalizes the taste buds but also fascinates the entire eye with the spectacular panoramic views of the city, making every time you eat there a visual and gastronomic delight. However, Gajapati gives you a choice of different cuisines, which means your taste buds will be satisfied with either local specialties or anything from international dishes.

Accommodations That Whisper Luxury

The resort’s accommodations are a testament to its commitment to luxury and comfort, offering guests a sanctuary that speaks volumes of elegance and refinement. From the plush deluxe rooms designed for supreme comfort to the opulent Presidential Cottage Suite, each space within the resort is thoughtfully designed to provide a haven of comfort that whispers luxury at every turn.

The Presidential Cottage Suite is a pinnacle of luxury, with its expansive living room, elegant drawing room, sophisticated dining area, and exclusive bathroom. This suite is surrounded by a serene garden, providing guests with a private oasis that epitomizes luxury.

As a family friendly sea facing hotels Puri, the resort ensures that its luxurious offerings cater to the needs of all family members, blending luxury with comfort in a setting that everyone can enjoy.

Wellness and Leisure: A Holistic Approach

With Lemonade Spa at Hotel Holiday Resort, you can find a sanctuary for the senses and substitute tranquility and well-being, especially if you want to rest and rejuvenate. The menu of treatments offered by the spa in such a quintessential way as the sports activities provide one with a rejuvenating experience that goes well with the leisure time on the beach.

Instead of a singular approach, the resort’s wellness philosophy includes a dedicated gym, many water sports choices, and a spa. This is meant to allow all site visitors to release their stresses, tranquility and harmony. Whether it is a magical therapeutic spa treatment, an intensive workout or a rush of water activities, it is an all-rounded basis. The resort provides everything that rejuvenates body and mind.

An Unforgettable Experience

Choosing Hotel Holiday Resort means opting for an experience that beautifully marries the spiritual essence of Puri with the unabashed luxury of a premier seaside resort. It’s an invitation to immerse yourself in an environment where exceptional service, comprehensive amenities, and a strategic location converge, offering a stay unparalleled by other sea-view hotels in Puri.

Whether your journey to Puri is in pursuit of spiritual solace or a tranquil retreat by the golden beaches, Hotel Holiday Resort is dedicated to enriching and making your experience unforgettable. This commitment ensures that every moment spent here is not just a simple stay but a profound experience, weaving together the rich cultural tapestry of Puri with the luxurious comforts of modern hospitality.

Among the luxury accommodations, we stand out, offering guests the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking vistas of the Bay of Bengal from the privacy and comfort of their balconies.

Conclusion

Hotel Holiday Resort represents Puri’s heritage through its hospitality, unlike any other hotel. With its excellent location, awesome accommodations, outstanding culinary experiences, and widespread wellness facilities, it is not just an ordinary hotel in Puri. It is a shining beacon of luxury.

That is where all our visitors are welcomed into their piece of heaven; the sapphire waters of the Bay of Bengal line up with the backdrop; for travelers hunting for an excellent beachfront experience in Puri, Hotel Holiday Resort is the best choice, where the amenities, combined with both spiritual tranquility and absolute luxury and comfort, are unforgettable.

Ultimately, Hotel Holiday Resort offers more than just a destination; it promises a unique experience for every visitor. This is why you should choose our resort when visiting our city. It is a successful example of employing these three elements to represent an outstanding Puri way of life.

Whether it is beaches capturing your imagination, the luxury of the surroundings, or exploring spiritual research, Hotel Holiday Resort is the ideal partner, bringing the same joy and divine character to your journey.

Delving into the Allure of Puri’s Coastal Charm

Puri, an east coastal city in Odisha, India, is a quilt of cultural decadence, spiritual undertaking, and natural aesthetics. This abode of peace is known primarily for its serene atmosphere and awe-inspiring temples, the most sacred among which is Jagannath Puri temple and secluded beaches where everyone retreats to relieve the pressures of daily life.

Puri attracts not only home to the temples and the beauty of nature but also the presence of Indian hospitality, reflected in the unique experience of staying in the hotel built above the beach. This kind of room would give you a unique angle from where you can enjoy Puri’s lovely Bay of Bengal waters without leaving the comfortable vibe of your room.

The Significance of Sea-facing Hotels

While puri hotels with balcony sea views may seem like a mere fancy-like indulgence, it is much more. It’s about getting into the beneficial connection with the ocean. Be it the calming tempo of the waves, the energizing sea breeze, or the extensive outlook on the ocean, the whole experience contributes to the rejuvenation of your body and mind.

These hotels are a good place for guests to connect with nature’s charm, making them the ideal choice for people who would like to have a peaceful escape in Puri. The seagulls chirp timidly every early morning of the stay, and the sun shines through the windows. They can then shut the curtains of their private balcony or terrace and enjoy panoramic views of the blue waters.

Whether you stroll along the coastal promenade, dive into the salty waters, or lounge around the pool with your favorite drink, these seafront hotels offer plenty of opportunities to unwind and re-vitalize with nature.

Also read about the 7 reasons to choose a luxury hotel in puri near sea beach.

Luxury Living: Puri Holiday Resort

 Amid the broad spectrum of amenities, Puri Holiday Resort is an epitome of pleasure and top hotel in puri where opulence is enjoyed. Located on the pure shoreline of Puri, this resort stands out among Puri hotels with private beach, offering some of the best services and amenities to its visitors. Visitors are invited into a world of luxury and comfort, where rooms and suites, all with unforgettable ocean views, are prepared for them to enjoy.

The resort’s dedication to superiority is manifested in its keen customer service, outstanding amenities, and continuous goal of ensuring every guest returns home with nothing but pleasant memories. As soon as you enter this place, you no longer exist in reality but in a new realm of luxury and pampering, enhanced by the beautiful landscapes and the sparkling waters of its private beach.

Indulging in Opulence

Puri Holiday Resort is where people enjoy various rich facilities that make them comfortable in luxury. Upon checking in, the resort takes great care to ensure a smooth transition, featuring beautiful and spacious rooms and tailored services that are concerned about every need.

It features a top-notch spa to relieve our customers, which includes venting treatments and an outside pool with a sea view gateway to experience a refreshing atmosphere. Once guests get refreshed in a day, they can satisfy their taste buds with the resort’s varying food options.

Budget-Friendly Options

Knowing the needs of various groups of travelers and seeking a balance between budget comfort and quality, Puri Holiday Resort provides budget-friendly options. This arrangement provides a budget-friendly yet comfortable casualty capable of allowing guests to spend their time near Puri’s beach and its tranquility without any expenditure worries.

This prudence of encouraging different strata of society makes Puri Holiday Resort inclusive to all and not just the selected few. Additionally, these resorts are offered at a very competitive price without compromising on the quality of service and amenities they offer. Guests can continue using the pool, spa treatments, and other elegant amenities at more reasonable rates.

Family-Friendly Retreats

 The awareness of the value of family vacations at Puri Holiday Resort (top hotels in puri) is well-known, and the fact that we offer a variety of family-friendly retreats should not be surprising. Alongside catering to families, the establishment is also recognized as one of the premier honeymoon sea facing hotels in Puri, offering different types of rooms and suites specially arranged to suit families with children and couples on their honeymoon, providing enough spaciousness and a romantic atmosphere for all members.

The resort also offers activities and facilities intended for occupants of different age groups, such as a children’s playground and fun-filled excursions for the equally young and the old, making the resort a prime choice for families and honeymooners looking forward to a fun-filled and a memorable vacation in Puri.

Activities and Attractions

The convenient location of Puri Holiday Resort ensures a wide variety of activities that are easy to reach. Visitors can visit the Jagannath Temple nearby, stroll through the colorful markets, or explore the Konark Sun Temple on a single-day trip.

Meanwhile, the resort provides water sports and beach activities, ensuring there will be no boredom during the stay. Puri Holiday Resort offers you the warmth of its hospitality, the comfort of its location, and its easy accessibility, as well as a plethora of acts and attractions for every taste.

The kind of experience you’ll get here is something special for everyone, whether it’s about exploring or relaxing. Book now and find out how memorable your stay will be!

Culinary Delights

Food at the resort Puri Holiday Resort is exceptionally delicious. Dining in the resort is a unique experience. The resort can be proud of its dining outlets that will take you on a gastronomic trip, blending local flavors and cuisines from around the globe. Experienced chefs work with the freshest seafood to cook the finest dish, but the traditional Odia cuisine is also maintained with tastes that are out of this world.

From the luxurious, unforgettable fine dining experience to a cozy, casual atmosphere, the restaurant allows everyone to choose their tastes. Thanks to the unmatched selection of dining options and outstanding quality of service we offer, our guests are guaranteed an unforgettable eating-ounce during their holiday here at Puri Holiday Resort.

Conclusion

The experience of Puri is found in the mystical catching of the view from a hotel positioned on the sea. Every time you see the world through the prism of the sea, you will get special treatment alongside you. The Puri holiday resort is a paragon of such an experience as it provides the best blend of class, convenience, and enriched cultural diversity to make all categories of tourists stay comfortable.

Whether you want to have an extravagant escape, a budget-friendly place, or you are a family, there is no doubt that Puri Holiday Resort will make your trip one of your lifetime experiences, which is full of Puri’s coastal nature.

All the time on site is filled with appreciation, awe, and high spirits since this living, breathing city’s defining features remain unforgettable and beautiful memories in its guests’ minds.

Brief overview of Puri as a popular tourist destination

Puri in Odisha, India, is a hot spot for travellers, blending rich culture and nature’s charm. With the iconic Lord Jagannath Temple drawing pilgrims and tourists in droves, it’s a buzzing hub year-round. You’ve got the spotless Golden Beach, the historic Konark Sun Temple (a UNESCO favourite), and the Instagram-worthy Chilika Lake, all adding to the town’s appeal. Puri is that perfect mix of ancient vibes, coastal calm, and spiritual zest. It’s not just a destination; it’s like a cultural and relaxation retreat, pulling in folks who crave a bit of both.

Why you should choose a luxury 3 star hotel in Puri for your family vacation?

Pick a luxury 3-star hotel in Puri near sea beach for your family vacation – it’s a win-win. Get cozy in spacious, modern rooms with all the cool stuff for a chill stay. Feast on yummy food at the hotel’s restaurant, hit the spa for some zen time, and splash around in the pool with the fam. Plus, these spots are perfectly placed, so you’re super close to all the cool Puri attractions. It’s not just a stay; it’s a hassle-free, comfy adventure for a perfect family getaway.

Benefits of staying at a luxury 3-star hotel in Puri

Choosing the best luxury hotels in Puri, Odisha is like hitting the sweet spot for comfort and convenience. Beyond the fancy perks, the cool part is the location – it’s a game-changer. You’re steps away from golden beaches, perfect for lazy walks and killer sunsets. Want some history? The iconic Jagannath Temple and other cool spots are just around the corner. And when hunger strikes, hit the vibrant markets for a taste of local treats. Furthermore, you’re near Chilika Lake for some awesome bird watching. It’s not just a stay; it’s like having all of Puri’s treasures right at your doorstep.

Amenities at a luxury 3-star hotel in Puri

Luxury 3-star sea facing hotels in Puri go all out to make your family trip super comfy. Picture spacious, cozy rooms that are like a home away from home. When hunger hits, the on-site restaurant’s got you covered with delicious grub. Need to unwind? Hit the spa or splash around in the cool pool. And don’t worry about breaking that workout routine – they’ve got fancy fitness centres. Also, these hotels are perfectly placed, so you’re right near all the cool attractions. With super-friendly staff, it’s not just a stay; it’s like a luxury home base for your family adventures in Puri.

Cost, Availability, and Discounts

Room prices at a luxury 3-star hotel in Puri for families fluctuate with the seasons. Peak times, like winter and festivals, see higher rates due to heightened demand, while off-peak periods or mid-week stays usually come with more affordable options. Discounts during peak season might include early booking specials or package deals, but it’s essential to secure reservations in advance due to limited availability. For specific pricing and promotions based on your travel dates, checking the hotel’s website or reaching out directly is recommended. Keep an eye out for special deals and ensure a pleasant stay at this coastal gem.

Safety and Security

Luxury 3-star hotels in Puri, Odisha, prioritize your safety with top-notch security measures. Trained staffs keep a watchful eye 24/7, backed by advanced CCTV systems and secure entry points. Only authorized personnel get in. Robust emergency procedures, including fire safety, add an extra layer of protection. They also stay up-to-date with modern tech and follow strict health protocols, especially post-pandemic. Guests can chill knowing they’re in good hands, ensuring a worry-free and enjoyable stay.

Summarizing what we have learnt and what is the ideal budget for a family

When on the lookout for the best 3-star luxury beachside hotel in Puri, Odisha, keep family safety, kid-friendly perks, and positive reviews on the top of your mind. Ensure the place has direct beach access, spacious rooms, and activities for all ages. Factor in peak and off-peak rates, consider meal expenses, and set a budget of roughly INR 5,000 to INR 8,000 per night. Booking in advance is beneficial, and exploring package deals or promos can save you some bucks on your family getaway. Secure a comfy stay and plan for a seamless experience by nailing down these details.

The importance of a well-planned family vacation

Planning your family trip to Puri, Odisha, is key for a stress-free and enjoyable experience. With diverse attractions like the Jagannath Temple and beautiful beaches, a well-thought-out itinerary ensures you make the most of your time. It also helps in avoiding last-minute hassles, securing accommodation, and making budget-friendly choices. By organizing activities beforehand, you not only create a harmonious family experience but also reduce potential issues. Ultimately, detailed planning contributes to a smoother and more memorable vacation in the vibrant destination of Puri, offering a rich cultural experience for your family.

Discover Puri’s rich culture and spirituality with a visit to the holy Lord Jagannath Temple, chilling on the pristine Golden Beach, and exploring iconic ancient temples of Odisha like Gundicha and Loknath temples. Dive into the biodiversity vibes at Chilika Lake, geek out on the epic architecture of Konark Sun Temple, and snag some vibrant applique crafts in Pipili. Get artsy at Raghurajpur Artist Village and gorge on some killer local coastal cuisine. Don’t miss out on the local beats – soak in the music, dance, and arts during the cultural festivals. Wrap it up with some chill time in Puri’s laid-back, bliss atmosphere – a vacation to remember!

Experience Comfort and Luxury: Enjoy staying in a luxurious hotel that features all the best amenities you could ever ask for!

Experience top-notch comfort and luxury at the best hotels in Puri, Odisha. Enjoy spacious, modern rooms for a relaxing stay. Treat your taste buds at the on-site restaurant and recharge at the spa. The adept staffs ensure personalized service, and amenities like a swimming pool and fitness centre enhance your experience. Thanks to its strategic location, you’ll have easy access to Puri’s attractions. Dive into opulence, blending modern comforts and impeccable service offered at the top hotels in Puri.

Unbeatable Location: Puri is one of India’s most beautiful beach towns, offering white sand beaches, ancient temples, and plenty of interesting sites to explore

Explore Puri, Odisha, an ancient beach town where white sand beaches meet rich cultural vibes. Check out the iconic Lord Jagannath Temple, home to the grand Rath Yatra festival. Chill on the Golden Beach – think golden sands and killer sunsets. Dive into the intricate carvings at the UNESCO-listed Konark Sun Temple. Hit up Pipili for traditional applique work and the artsy Raghurajpur Village. Enjoy the serene vibes at Chilika Lake, a bird paradise. Puri is all about blending spirituality, culture, and nature – making it the ultimate spot for kicking back and soaking it all in at the best beach facing hotels in Puri.

Dining Experiences: Sample the local flavours and luxury experiences with fine dining options available in some of the best luxury hotels in Puri

Dive into a culinary adventure at Puri, Odisha’s lavish reputed hotels, especially near Puri’s Golden Beach. Taste local goodness with fancy dining options that mix traditional Odia dishes and global flavours. Picture yourself in the stylish vibes of on-site restaurants where top chefs create mouth-watering menus. Get ready for a personalized experience in a chic atmosphere that turns every meal into a masterpiece. These luxury family hotels aren’t just about the food; they’re all about creating the perfect setting for you to enjoy a mix of authentic local foods alongside international cuisines. Get ready for a stay that satisfies your taste buds and leaves you with unforgettable gastronomic memories.

Experience the Cultural Heritage: Explore the grand temples and vibrant culture of Puri that date back thousands of years. Visit nearby temples, monuments, and other historical sites

Puri, Odisha, beams with vibrant culture, flaunting grand historical temples and monuments. The Jagannath Temple, a sacred Hindu spot, showcases ancient architecture and spirituality. Check out the UNESCO-listed Konark Sun Temple – it’s a medieval masterpiece with intricate carvings. Dive into the artsy scene at Raghurajpur Village, famous for Pattachitra paintings. Puri is a treasure chest of history, with spots like Gundicha Temple and Loknath Temple weaving into its religious story. Soak it all in – Puri’s rich cultural fabric invites you to dive into a blend of history and spirituality, making it a must-visit spot.

Relax and Unwind: Pamper yourself with relaxing spa treatments, yoga classes, and other activities available at the luxury hotels in Puri

Relax and treat yourself at those fancy hotels in Puri, Odisha – they’re all about rejuvenation. Picture spa treatments that mix tradition with modern vibes for that ultimate escape. Get your zen on with yoga classes in chill surroundings, giving your mind and body some love. And if you’re into fitness, these hotels usually have top-notch gyms. Take a dip in the pool or just kick back in the super thoughtfully designed lounges. It’s all about wellness here – these places are like a chill haven, where you can unwind, recharge, and soak in the laid-back vibe of Puri’s hospitality.

Easy Access to Local Attractions: Enjoy the convenience of being close to the many attractions such as the golden beaches, the holy lake, and the local markets in Puri

Go for a swanky beach resort hotel with a private beach in Puri, Odisha, for experiencing those lazy strolls and catching those Insta-worthy sunsets. Plus, you get easy access to Holy Lakes like Chilika, where you can check out diverse ecosystems and bird hangouts. Oh, and they’re also close to buzzing local markets, making it a breeze to soak in the cultural vibes and grab some traditional crafts at rather affordable prices. It’s not just a stay; it’s like having Puri’s natural and cultural gems right at your doorstep.

Close to Nature: Witness the birds, spot dolphins, and explore beautiful nature surrounding the hotel

Choose a premium sea facing hotel in Puri, and you’re basically in sync with nature. These spots are just strategically placed, so you’re always close to natural wonders. Picture lush surroundings that are a playground for diverse bird species – it’s like heaven for birdwatchers. And hey, you’ve got easy access to the coast, perfect for catching dolphins doing their thing in the Bay of Bengal. The hotel’s location is all about smart thinking – it puts nature lovers right in the middle of Puri’s rich biodiversity and gorgeous landscapes. It’s not just about luxury; it’s about diving deep into the natural beauty of this coastal town.

Hotel Holiday Resort in Puri, Odisha, established in 1983, has evolved into becoming one of the best luxury hotels in Puri within three decades. The emergence of Hotel Holiday Resort as a premium destination can be attributed to its spectacular features such as its robust infrastructure, prime location, abundant natural resources, skilled human capital, and state-of-the-art facilities.

The Perfect Combination of Relaxation and Adventure at Hotel Holiday Resort

Hotel Holiday Resort, a 3-star luxury hotel, is one of the best beach resorts in Puri known for its spacious and well-equipped rooms with panoramic sea view of various categories starting from the basic ‘Standard Room’ and going up to the ultra-luxurious ‘President Suite’. The hotel offers various room options with quality amenities like furniture, including couches, dressing tables, digital lockers, refrigerators, television, Wi-Fi access, toiletries, dining table, drinking water etc. You’ll find on-site restaurants, pools, wellness centres, a welcoming lobby, and a beautiful garden. Valet parking and on-site medical assistance add to the convenience. The Art of Hospitality: A Closer Look at the Restaurants, Spas, and Activities Hotel Holiday Resorts Provide FUSION (FINE DINING): Holiday Resort proudly presents to food lovers, the Fusion restaurant, where you can savour diverse cuisines while enjoying a panoramic sea view amidst modern architecture and an interactive floor at the lobby-level GAJAPATI (RESTAURANT & BAR): Indulge in irresistible culinary delights at our multi-cuisine restaurant, Gajapati. Our top-tier chefs specialize in preparing delicious continental and Indian dishes, along with exquisite desserts from Odisha. LEMONADE SPA (THE WELLNESS SPA): Lemonade, our wellness spa which blends traditional Ayurvedic practices with international experiences for a holistic mind-body-soul union. Services include Full Body Massages (Hot Stone, Aromatherapy, Ayurvedic, Deep Tissue, Thai), Express Massages (Foot Reflexology, Thai Foot Massage, Head Massage, Back Neck and Shoulder Massage), Facials (Organic Brightening, Hydrating, Rejuvenating), and Body Treatments (De-tan, Green Tea, Coffee and Chocolate scrubs). Swimming Pool: The resort features two connected pools—one for adults with a 4.5-foot depth and another for kids at 1 foot for easy, refreshing, comfortable, and safe water enjoyment. Jacuzzi: The pool area includes a Jacuzzi that exerts a relaxing influence on the body for those preferring water exercises. Kid’s Play Area & Jogging Track: The hotel provides ample open space for kids to run wild, a jogging track for leisurely jogs, and a gradual slope leading to the sea. The outdoor area also includes a children’s play area with slides, seesaws, and other games for their recreation. CANDLE LIGHT DINNER: Enhance your stay with a fully customizable romantic Candle Light Dinner experience arranged by our team.

Key Reasons Why Guests Choose to Continue to Visit Hotel Holiday Resort

Location: Situated at a prime location which makes transportation easy and flexible. Proximity to the Puri Sea beach gives you amazing beach facing hotel room views and quick access to the private beach. Recreation: You can have a fun and refreshing experience in our well-maintained swimming pools, or, relax yourself in our wellness spa services. Luxurious Accommodations: We offer variety of rooms including presidential rooms, deluxe rooms, deluxe cottages, family rooms, and standard rooms. These rooms come with classic furniture, digital lockers, TV, air conditioners, Wi-Fi, refrigerators, and room service. Essentials like drinking water, toiletries, and dining tables for selected rooms are also provided. Dining: We have two on-site restaurants, one of them with an attached bar, while the other being a fine dining place. They serve a variety of delectable cuisines and drinks to the guests so that they do not have to dine outside. Cultural and Tourist Attractions: Convenient access and transportation facility to the Jagannath temple, making it easier for you to explore the local culture and heritage. Family-Friendly Environment: Our resort caters to the families and provides activities and services suitable for children, making us a good choice for family vacations. Event and Conference Facilities: We are equipped with facilities to host conferences, weddings, and other events seamlessly at our conference and banquet halls. Customer Reviews and Ratings: We consistently feature in the top 5 hotels in Puri on Trip Advisor with overwhelmingly positive reviews. So there is yet another reason for you to visit Puri.

A Look at Spa Services: Indulging in relaxing massages and treatments that make for unforgettable memories

Lemonade Spa – a part of our luxury 3-star hotel in Puri, surrounded by lush landscapes and a stunning sea view. Immerse yourself in tranquillity and personalized pampering across five categories: Full Body Massages (Hot Stone, Aromatherapy, Ayurvedic, Deep Tissue, and Thai) and Express Massages (Foot Reflexology, Thai Foot Massage, Head Massage, Back Neck and Shoulder Massage). Rejuvenate yourself with new Facials and Body Treatments by June Jacobs, creator of global skincare lines. From Organic Brightening and Hydrating facials to De-tan and Green Tea body scrubs; indulge in refreshing treatments for Hands & Feet. Explore Spa Journeys like Jet Lag, Beauty Essentials, and a Men’s Package. Discover the perfect blend of traditional Ayurvedic wellness and international experiences at Lemonade—where mind, body, and soul unite for a renewed you.

Creating Lasting Memories: Tips for getting the most out of your stay and making the experience even more special

Book in Advance: Secure your reservation in advance, especially if you’re planning to visit during peak seasons or festivals when accommodations tend to fill up quickly. Check Amenities: Review the amenities offered by the resort. While 3-star properties may not have as many facilities as higher-rated hotels, they often provide essentials such as comfortable rooms, Wi-Fi, and basic services. Ask for Room Preferences: If you have specific preferences, such as a room with a view or a particular floor, make those requests during the booking process or upon check-in. However, note that requests are subject to availability. Engage with Staff: The staff at the resort can provide valuable information about local attractions and services. You are always welcome to seek their help. Respect Local Customs: Puri has a rich cultural heritage, and it’s important to respect local customs and traditions. This includes appropriate attire when visiting religious sites such as the Jagannath Temple. Know the Check-in and Check-out Times: To avoid any inconveniences, inquire about our check-in and check-out timings in advance and get things clarified with us. Plan Your Activities: Research and plan your activities in and around Puri. A basic itinerary of places you want to explore or activities you want to do help in utilizing your time well. Stay Updated About Events: Check if there are any local events or festivals happening during your stay. Participating in local celebrations can add a cultural dimension to your experience.

Conclusion: What Makes Hotel Holiday Resort a Luxurious Destination for an Unforgettable Memory

Hotel Holiday Resort in Puri at the Chakratirtha Road near the Golden Beach stands out as one of the best luxury beach facing hotels. Offering a mix of relaxation and adventure, it features diverse accommodations, including presidential suites and family rooms. Amenities like furniture, digital lockers, TV, and Wi-Fi enhance the stay. On-site dining at Fusion and Gajapati, a rejuvenating Lemonade Spa, and recreational facilities like pools and Jacuzzi add to the allure. With easy access to Puri’s attractions and a family-friendly environment, Hotel Holiday Resort is a top choice for a luxurious and memorable stay.

The sea has been one of man’s most important forms of entertainment since ancient times when man gets rid of his thoughts and concerns. Man used to spend time thinking about the wonderful sea view and watching the successive waves breaking against the shore. Observing the offshore ships and boats and thinking beyond this sea, what is on the opposite shore, people who came before him to this place and who will come after him with the same concerns and reasons that brought him to the sea.

It is great to appreciate the good things we possess and know how to preserve them, whether from the aesthetic side or the cultural and tourism side. Puri is one such place that never fails to attract tourists from all over the world. It has become the hot spot for all travel goers with its beauty of beaches and culture.

Hotels In Puri To Help You Relax And Ease!

There are many hotels in Puri, but the most fascinating place for travellers is 3 Star Hotels in Puri near Beach To Enjoy Like A Heaven Stay, One For All. There are various types of hotels, resorts, cottages and inns to meet people’s demands. But fondly, 3-star hotels are more demanding to travellers. Now let us know what a 3-star hotel provides us:-
The 3-star hotels are good and comforting quality hotels. Comfort and service are a priority in these hotels. Holiday resort is one of the best 3-star hotels in Puri, which offers spacious rooms with good quality amenities. They have multiple room options and variable room services.

Most rooms have furniture such as couches, dressing tables, tables, chairs, etc. this 3-star hotel has on-site restaurants, pools, wellness centres and a well-designed lobby. There is on-site medical assistance with valet parking. The valets come rushing in to take charge of the luggage, with helpful and friendly demeanours welcoming you.
Not only this, but the hotel also provides banquets for conference and meeting facilities or family get-togethers. The hotel’s public arena, such as the lobby and dining area, are more spacious, and The garden or grounds of the hotel is well maintained and aesthetically pleasing.

Hotels as a Relaxing Hub!

The well-appointed Rooms, sparkling with light, give a marvellous view of the sparkling beach and the gleaming sea waves, and the garden and lawns can be the best spot to relax and help one have peace of mind. The hotels can be the place to spend quality time with family and friends.

Hospitality is the prime aspect of the tourism industry, where hotels and resorts are the key players. Varied hotels provide numerous amenities to attract guests and become a place for their comfort. A Holiday resort with its warm, appealing appearance and sea view rooms is the best a man would need for loosening up and bringing peace to mind.

Hotels are past and now, and in the future, times will always remain a relaxing hub for a man who wanders.

 

Hotels are the abodes of your journey, and they should not be compromised in their quality. Every family or group often tries to find a place where they have all their requirements fulfilled as it will be smooth while travelling or visiting a place.

Hotel Holiday Resort, A Place Of Luxury Stay!

As we know, Puri is a place for people who want to engulf themselves in the shores and admire the culture and tradition the place offers. With this, the visitors will tend to book the hotels for their stay. Now you can Enjoy your hotel stay at the best suite room near sea beach at Puri. Here are the specifications, amenities and room configuration of HOLIDAY RESORT, which has become the place for a luxury stay.

1. Presidential suite

The room is about 300 Square Feet, with One King Size Bed and an Additional Sofa; in the view from the room, you can have a Magnificent Panoramic View of The Profuse Lawn, and the maximum capacity of the room is Single, Double or couples. You can avail of the Triple occupancy with an additional supplemental charge. The amenities available in the room are LCD TV, Hot and cold Water Supply, Tea or Coffee Maker, WIFI, Electronic Safe, EPABX, Toiletries, Mini Refrigerator, Packaged Drinking Water, English Newspaper, Bath Tub, Dining Table, Sofa Lounge Area and a Private Patio

2. Deluxe Cottage

This room is about 250 Square Feet with One King Size Bed and an Additional Sofa. It can have the occupancy of Single or Double and Triple With an Additional Supplemental Charge. The room has a view of beautiful green lawns that will bind you with nature and serve all the amenities the same as in the presidential suite.

3. Family Room

The family room is about 210 Square Feet with Two King Size beds and an Additional Sofa; the view from the room has a splendid view of the lawn and the serene beauty of the sea beach. Most of the family rooms have Sea View and Single, Double, Triple and Quadruple occupancy. The amenities lie the same as the presidential suite.

4. Deluxe Room

The room is about 160 Square Feet and has One King Size Bed and Additional Sofa, and the occupancy can range from Single, Double and Triple With Additional Supplemental Charges. The deluxe rooms are compact and mesmerising ambience can be a great choice. The amenities provided in these rooms are the same as in the presidential suite.

5. Standard Room

The room is about 160 Square Feet with one king-size bed and an Additional Sofa; the standard room can have single, double or triple occupancy with additional supplemental charges. The basic rooms, with their cosy and compact ambience embellished with the finest furniture, are ideal for couples. The amenities here also lie the same as the presidential suite.

Though the rooms have different configurations but provide the same amenities to all the guests, the friendly atmosphere with the staff and the hotel facing the beach can be a thrilling experience for the visitors. Now you don’t need to worry about spending quality time with your loved ones in a luxurious way.

What Are The Things You Need To Keep In Mind Before Selecting Your Cottage Room at a Hotel?

The Only Cottages in Puri Beach & Best Family Hotel in Puri Just what You Needed

Puri is bathed in Divinity and Serenity with a splendid beach all along the City Frontlines. Many Resorts dot the skyline, some big and some small. You can soak in the moist, soft air and feel it mildly caress your face and body. Plenty of sea food is available, and you can partake in some to enjoy the delicacies on Offer. The holistic land of Lord Jagannatha, Puri, is one of the sacred pilgrim centres for the Hindus.

Positioned along the coast of the Bay of Bengal in the state of Orissa, Puri is a unique combination of both religious and sightseeing places. Rich in its culture and heritage, Puri is an ancient temple town known as Jagannath Puri, part of the Char Dham Pilgrimage. Konark, Bhubaneshwar, and Puri are three golden triangles of Orissa, but Puri attracts the maximum number of tourists.

Bored Sitting At Home? Feeling To Wander Into The Salty Breeze!

You can have great zeal and enthusiasm and drench yourself in the breeze of salty water. For your travel pick spot, Puri can be the hub. Refresh your mind and soul, and breaking up the bars of getting bored by leading the same lifestyle can be exhausting. Every mind and body needs some break to rejuvenate them and bring back energy.

What Are The Things You Need To Keep In Mind Before Selecting Your Cottage Or Hotels For Salty?

⦁ Location
The foremost thing should be your hotel must be located in a prime location to make transportation easy and flexible.
⦁ Dining Option
After a tiring journey and buzzing around, everyone wants to have the dining option in the place they have chosen to stay. The hotel must provide dining options for the guest.
⦁ Amenities
This is an important aspect of choosing hotels; we should look into the amenities provided by the hotels and whether they match our requirements.
⦁ Sanitation
After covid and before it also, the cleanliness of a place tends to attract the traveller as hygiene is most important, and a clean and tidy surrounding could be a great place to live in.
⦁ Reviews
Last but not least, reviews matter for a quality experience in a hotel and by that, you can know how good the staff, food, Room and amenities are.

The Best Place To Hang-out!

If you are in Puri, you must know the Cottages in Puri Beach & Best Family Hotel in Puri, Just what You Need. To make your comfort place relaxing, Puri Holiday Resort has come up with all the requirements. One can dip into the Pool and have a leisurely splash in the Pool, have a Massage in the wellness SPA and rest for the day, completely satiated. Not only these, but they also have great other amenities.

To the Room, you can be touched and engulfed with splendour and creature comforts that ooze class. The bathroom is big, inviting and replete with a bathtub which teases you to dip into it with warm or hot water as per the mood., and then gorges on the sumptuous delicacies on Offer at the restaurant. The Banquet halls are also sumptuous, and they can be perfect if you are planning a wedding, anniversary or official get-together. This is how you can intend to spend a few blissful days in the Holiday Resort.

As the winter sets in, the plan for picnics and tripping starts buzzing among the travellers. How fun can it be to go to places with a gentle wind, acoustic waves and a touch of sacredness? We can find all these attributes in the holy pilgrimage city, Puri.

Planning To Go To The Beaches? On This Vacation, Plan A Trip To Puri!

Puri is one of the four’ dhammas,’ the ‘abodes’ of the gods. In the east, on the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Odisha, is Puri, where the great temple of ‘Jagannath’ is situated. Being One of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus, it attracts many devotees towards itself.

Why Puri?


Puri is believed to be the final resting place of Lord Vishnu, and Unsurprisingly, it has become a very important place of worship for the Hindus. The Jagannath Puri temple was constructed in the 11th century and is mostly famous for the Rath Yatra worldwide, from which the English language got the derivation of the word ‘juggernaut.’ Not only for its sacred culture but also because its beaches fascinate great crowds worldwide.

Puri Beach As A Serene Beauty!

The splendid beach stretches up to seven km and is a round-the-year destination for both domestic and international travellers. Visitors can enjoy the sunrise and the sunset, sunbathe, sit back on the beach, watch local fishermen pulling their catch or mending their nets, play with the waves, and listen to the rhythmic rendition of the striking waves. Puri Beach is considered safer than other beaches in the country as it does not face high tide and undercurrent very often.

Odisha is considered ‘India’s Best Kept Secret, ‘with a 500 km long coastline, mountains, lakes, natural biodiversity, and rivers. The diversity which is offered by this state is unmatched. Puri has become the travel destination for all localities and foreign travellers. Puri beach has also been felicitated as the Golden Beach and Blue Flag Beach by the World Bank-funded Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP) of the Forest and Environment Department, Government of Odisha and The Blue Flag Programme for beaches and marinas is run by the international, non-government, non-profit organisation FEE (The Foundation for Environment Education) in Denmark, which started certification of Blue Flag beaches in 1987 and in the year 2020, Puri beach got its certification. The beauty of Puri beach is serene and magnificent.

 

Where To Stay?

The visit to Puri should maintain the stay, and you can get The Magic Of Best Resort in Puri Beach, Always the Right Choice only at the premium’ Holiday Resort’. The resort is alongside the beach, where you can have a sublime stay. The resort offers exotic dishes with its fusion of Indian and Chinese restaurants. They have a swimming pool for adults and children, where you can spend quality and fun-filled time with your family. The holiday resort is the best choice if you want to relax and rejuvenate your mind and body with their wellness SPA.

If you plan to visit Puri on your next vacation, don’t forget to stay at the best luxury resort in Puri and have a great experience ahead.

Puri is one of the best destinations for fun-filled family vacations. The majestic sea views, golden sand beaches, and water sports allow people to spend some quality time with their loved ones. Moreover, the spectacular view of the sunrise and sunset is worth a watch. To make the most of your vacation, staying in the Best Family Hotel In Puri is essential. Hotel Holiday Resort is a premium hotel in Puri, located on Chakratirtha road. Itensures a luxurious and comfortable stayfor the families.

Top Features of Best Family Hotels in Puri

The Best Family Hotels In Puri like the Hotel Holiday Resort, have everything you would require for a memorable vacation. Here are the top features to explore in the best family hotel.

Convenient Location

The location of the hotel in Puri has a lot to do with the convenience they provide to the visitors. The best family hotel on the Chakratirtha road of Puri offersa breathtaking view of the beaches. You can enjoy the panoramic view of the majestic sea that extends up to the horizon. The scenic views combined with the serenity of the place are sure to leave you spellbound.

Choice of Rooms

The best thing about the top-rated family hotelin Puri is that it offers you plenty of choices when it comes to selecting a room for your family. You have the options to choose between the presidential rooms, deluxe rooms, deluxe cottages, and family rooms. All the rooms are well-equipped with classical furniture, digital lockers, a television, Wi-Fi access, and even refrigerators. Drinking water, toiletries, and a dining table may also be available in the rooms of the hotel. The Best Family Hotel in Puri ensures providing the essential amenities to deliver the best possible experience to the visitor.

Swimming Pool

Swimming Pools are a must-have in the Best Family Hotels in Puri. Family vacations in Puri are always incomplete without some fun time in the Swimming Pool. The top-rated luxurious hotels have well-maintained Swimming Pools where all your family members can have some quality time and feel refreshed. The best thing is that the hotel has a kid-friendly smaller Swimming Pool. So, kids can also have equal fun in the baby pool. They can enjoy themselves in the water with optimum safety and comfort.

Amazing Facilities

The Family Hotel in Puri has all the services and facilities to make the visitors feel at home. From a wellness spa to a restaurant that offers delectable cuisines, the hotel provides everything you would want during your stay. The cuisines served at the restaurants are sure to leave a long-lasting impression in the minds of food lovers.Moreover, if you want to spend some romantic time with your partner, the hotel can helpyou plan the perfect candlelight dinner.
If you are planning for a short family vacation, a visit to the ancient holy city of Puri can be a great option. Book your stay in the Best Family Hotel and make your vacation memorable!

When visiting the pilgrimage city of Puri, Odisha, there are many temples that you can visit. The main temple to visit in Puri when staying at Hotel Holiday Resort is, of course, the Puri Shri Jagannath Temple. However, apart from the main temple dedicated to the lord of the world, Shri Jagannath, there are other small temples that have come up in the city. These temples are examples of devotion and architecture that existed in the ancient Kalinga era of Odisha. These small temples in and around Puri are dedicated to different deities and goddesses that reside in the sacred area of Puri. However, when visiting these temples, you should stay at the Best Resorts in Puri Beach.

The Lesser-Known Temples of Puri

Since there are many temples worth visiting, it is important to stay in the city for many days. Here are the top most temples to visit in Puri. These temples do not include the Puri Shri Jagannath Temple because it is the first one to visit when you are in Puri.

Pancha Tirtha

The Pancha Tirtha temple is a sacred temple that is dedicated to the experience of bathing at the five most sacred rivers of India. The Pancha Tirtha temple is located near the Markandeya Sarovar and the Rohini Kunda. The Rohini Kunda is considered the abode of Lord Narayana or Vishnu. The Samudra Arati that takes place at the Mahodadhi close to the Pancha Tirtha temple is also an event worth watching. Lokanath Temple

Lokanath Temple

The Lokanath temple is also one of the most important temples in Puri. The Lokanath Temple is an 11th-century temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Lokanath Temple is created in the style of Deula, which is a part of Kalinga Architecture. The main temple is made of marble. But, the rest of the temple is made of sandstone. The lingam in this temple is submerged inside water from a natural fountain that flows above it.

Vimala temple

There are many temples in Puri that are dedicated to the Mother Goddess and her many forms. The Bimala or Vimala temple is the primary among them as she is considered the presiding goddess of the Puri Shri Jagannath Temple. The temple is considered a vital shakti peeth in the state and India. Any offering to the Lord Jagannath is not accepted until it is offered to Maa Vimala. She is considered a very powerful form of Shakti.

Varahi Temple

The Varahi temple is made in Deula architecture and dates back to the 9th century AD. The temple is visited for its unique architecture that has stood the test of time. The temple is dedicated to the Varahi form of the Mother Goddess. This form has a large belly as it holds the universe in its belly.
These are some of the famous temples of Puri that are located near the Hotel Holiday Resort. When staying in the Best Resorts in Puri Beach, you should also visit the beautiful, ancient temples of this quaint beachside city of Odisha.

Apart from being a sacred pilgrimage city on the Hindu religion map, the city of Puri is also a tourism haven. There are many tourist places that are worth visiting if you are staying at the Best Resort near Puri Beach. The Puri beach is undeniably the most famous of the tourist places in this city. Hotel Holiday Resort is a luxury resort located near the Puri Sea beach. On the other hand, there are other places in Puri that are close to this resort and worth visiting for tourists.

The Top Tourist Places In Puri To Visit

Puri Jagannath Temple

The main attraction in the city of Puri is the temple of Shri Jagannath, which is seen as the seat of the Holy trinity Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra. The Jagannath temple is famous for its miraculous power, sacred offerings, rituals and festivals. No matter when you visit the temple, you will get a glimpse of rich traditions and devotion.

Puri Beach

The stretched-out golden sands of the Puri beach cannot be missed when you are in the city. Even when you are approaching the city via road, you can see the roads extending towards the sandy terrain of Puri. The Marine front of Puri,which extends from the Chakratirtha Road to Swarga Dwara, is one of the best places to visit. Whether you go here in the morning or at night, the Puri Sea beach offers you the right balance of peace and liveliness.

Atharnala Bridge

The Atharnala Bridge is a famous landmark of Puri and can be seen when you approach the city from the old roads. The bridge is a structure made of lime mortar and laterite, and from here, you can get a stunning view of the Puri skyline. The bridge is called Atharnala because it has eighteen distinct arches and a façade. You can head out of the main city and hang out here for a quiet evening.

Narendra Tank

The Narendra Tank is a beautiful, large tank located near the Puri Shri Jagannath Temple. The tank is one of the largest tanks in Odisha and has ritualistic significance to the worship of Lord Jagannath. The tank is said to be built in the 15th century AD. Inside the tank is the Chandana Mandap temple. At the tank, the Chandan Yatra of Lord Jagannath is held with fervor and fanfare. If you are in Puri during Chandan Yatra, you must visit the tank and take part in the celebrations.

Markandeshwar Temple

The Markendeshwar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form which was worshipped by the immortal sage Markandeya. The temple was built in the 13th century AD and had a distinct Deula-style architecture. The temple has different forms of Shiva inside, and one of the most magnificent ones is the Nataraja form of Shiva with ten hands.
With resplendent temples and serene beaches, the tourism city of Puri is the perfect confluence of devotion and exploration. From calm evenings by the sea beach to local food and life in the streets of Puri, there is a lot to explore when you stay at Hotel Holiday Resort, the Best Resort near Puri Beach. Walk through the centuries-old history of Puri and find your spirituality in the age-old temples of Puri. Puri is a city that will welcome you with its hospitality and warmth.

Puri in Odisha is both a spiritual as well as a relaxing getaway for people not only staying in the country but many more who come from abroad. Most of those coming here get fascinated by the legends of Lord Jagannath and look forward to spending a good amount of time on the beach, swimming and not to forget; visiting some epic places in the nearby areas. You can plan on visiting the world famous Sun temple in Konark and if planning to visit in the winter months then going to Chillika can be a treat. This brackish water lake becomes home to thousands of migratory birds and the lake comes alive with these colourful avian who fly down from far off countries. But apart from this particular time you can go for boat rides and enjoy the beauty of the place at any time of the year.

Coming to Puri is a fairly easy process as it is well connected by railways and those wanting to fly down can come to the nearest airport in Bhubaneswar which is just 60 kilometres away from the main city. One can plan to drive across the golden triangle that connects Puri, Bhubaneswar, Konark and don’t forget to stop and admire the sea on the marine drive or to quench your thirst with some tender coconuts which are plentily available on the roadsides. The city has an old world look and the numerous temples and houses bear the stamp of architectural designs of the yore. The majestic temple of lord Jagannath is the cynosure of all eyes and those who don’t get a chance to visit the temple make it a point to come during the annual Rath Yatra which gets celebrated during the months of June-July. For this year the festival is scheduled to begin in the first week of July. As there are more than a million footfalls during this time of the year getting hotel reservations become a problem.

Being city that thrives on tourism there are numerous hotels and Puri Beach Resort but if you want to spend time in a place that is luxurious, close to the beach and will give you the best possible deal then you can go ahead and book your accommodation in hotel Holiday Resorts. This hotel is highly recommended by trip advisor and also by those who have stayed here. You can book your rooms online and as they offer a 360 degree view of the whole place you can check out all the rooms before settling for the one that will best serve your purpose.

The hotel offers an all-inclusive package deal and those who opt for the privilege membership card get attractive discounts which make it all the more economical. The private beach next to the Puri Resort Booking is free from crowd and what can be better than to cool yourself in the clear blue waters, relax on the beach with a book, play beach ball with your friends or go for a romantic walk with your partner along the shore. The other facilities here include two multi cuisine restaurants, bar and a bakery shop which will tickle your pallet with a variety of dishes. For relaxing inside the hotel there is no dearth of options as there are swimming pool, gym and a gaming zone to keep the young ones occupied. The Spa here is just the place for your body and apart from the different massage they have a specially curated one for those suffering from jet lag. The hotel is a great place to have fun and along with that their banquet rooms and the conference room can be booked for meeting, weddings and other functions. So go ahead and book your rooms in Holiday resorts and have a holiday that will detoxify you both physically as well as psychologically.

For more details about Restaurant in Puri just move on www.puriholidayresort.com

Fusion Restaurant

Great hospitality is when each guest’s dining experience is made memorable. Not only serving delicious food, but great service also goes a long way in making guests feel welcome at a restaurant. That’s what we believe at Puri Holiday Resort. So, to satisfy the taste buds of food lovers, this Puri beach resort has introduced Fusion Restaurant which offers a variety of cuisines like Indian, Chinese and Asian food options.

Located in the lobby level of Puri Holiday Resort, this restaurant in Puri has a magical ambience that will leave you awestruck. The decor combines the best of ancient and modern styles and has a tinge of green which will have a calming effect on your minds. It doesn’t stop there! The restaurant features a glass front from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful Puri beach. While eating your hearty meal and enjoying the sea view, your experience at the Fusion Restaurant will satiate your soul.

There are a range of cuisines that this Restaurant Near Puri Beach serves namely Indian, Chinese and Continental. So, you can order all kinds of delicacies to your heart’s content. Starting from a spicy North Indian dish to a healthy stir-fried Chinese item, there’s everything you can enjoy. The food tastes amazing and will make you want to come back again. Visitors have time and again reviewed the food served here as, “Fantastic”, “Amazing”, “Fresh and Juicy” and “Perfectly Cooked” to name a few.

Just like we believe, the service at Puri Holiday Resort is one of the best and that’s what makes us stand out from all other Luxury Hotels In Puri. People serving you are cooperative and very friendly. Moreover, they are well-trained and are always on their toes to make your dining experience worthwhile. No matter what your needs are, the attendants are quick-witted to understand and communicate with you to deliver the best possible service! Your experience at this Puri beach resort will be a memorable one anyhow.

Do you want to try out vegetarian or vegan options and worried if the Fusion restaurant serves them or not? If yes, you do not have to worry. It offers a number of vegetarian and vegan items for you to savour. Puri Holiday Resort keeps the needs of all kinds of guests in mind.

Furthermore, the restaurant serves all kinds of meals and so, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner, Fusion Restaurant will serve you food of your choice. There’s also a special in-house bakery at Puri Holiday Resort which will serve you special tender desserts which will fill your taste buds with ecstasy. They taste so good every bite will feel like gulping down spoons of happiness.

If you’re in Puri or visiting it soon, do visit Fusion Restaurant for the sake of your taste buds. It is the best restaurant in Puri which will make your dining experience unforgettable.

For more details about Restaurant In Puri just move on www.puriholidayresort.com

Puri Foods

The number of delicacies that Puri can serve you is innumerable. Starting from the street food, local dishes from the local eateries to Puri restaurants that offer international menus, the choices are multiple. The famous Jagannath Bhog or Prasadam is the highlight of this town in Odisha. So, what to eat and where can be a difficult question to tackle with when you’re at Puri.

But, here we are to your rescue! We’ve a list of the delicacies and eateries that are totally unmissable.

  1. Jagannath Bhog

The Prasadam served at Jagannath temple is a must-eat when you visit Puri. It is cooked in seven pots, one kept on top of the other but, here’s a strange fact; the pot on the top gets cooked first followed by the second and so on. Sounds interesting, isn’t it? That is one of the specialities of Puri Jagannath Prasadam. The taste will linger in your minds for years to come keeping you craving for more.

It is the holy food for Odias and devotees worldwide and is available at the Lord Jagannath Temple at Puri.

  1. Indian Food

If you’re looking for the local Indian style dishes, there are many Puri restaurants which you can look for. The Wildgrass Restaurant, Bhojohori Manna, The Gajapati Restaurant and Golden Green are some of the very well known eateries.

Gajapati Restaurant is perfect for people looking for vegetarian and vegan dishes.

If you want to try non-vegetarian food, the Maachha Besara (deep fried Rohu Fish in Mustard Gravy) and Chingudi Kassa (Spicy Shrimp dish) are a must. The local eateries specialise in the Odia style food. There are also many restaurants near Puri beach that serve food local Odia and Indian style, like Puri Beach Resort. You will keep licking your fingers, trust us!

  1. Chinese Cuisine

Some people obsess over Chinese Food! We do too! So, are you looking for a hotel in Puri that serves Chinese delicacies? You’ll love Chung Wah restaurant! It is the one-stop solution for Chinese food admirers. It serves dishes that you’ll never be able to get enough of. It will take your taste buds on a wonderful ride.

You can also try the restaurants near Puri beach as almost every hotel in Puri serves Chinese dishes.

  1. Seafood

Being a town on the Bay of Bengal, Puri is popular for its seafood. There are many seafood restaurants in Puri that specialise in making these delicacies. Wildgrass Restaurant is the best place to enjoy these luscious items with eclectic flavours.

  1. Puri Cheesecake

Known as Chena Poda in the local language, it is a dessert the locals swear by! It is a baked item prepared in ovens or tandoors. It is a special food item that you will find nowhere except Odisha and especially Puri. It is basically cheese curd that will straight go to your heart, not just your tummy!

Next time you visit Puri, make sure you relish these mouth-watering foods! You will certainly come back for more!

Stay Tuned with Hotel Holiday Resort at www.puriholidayresort.com to gather all the information about Puri.

Puri Tours

Travelling to Puri? You will need a guide to help you plan out your stay and make your trip an unforgettable one. Need not worry! We have an entire list of things that you can do while you’re at Puri.

But first, let us give you a quick read-through about Puri, one of the most stunning spots in Odisha. It is a city in the state of Odisha, situated on the Bay of Bengal, 60 kilometres to the South of Bhubaneswar, the capital of the state. It covers an area of 16.33 square kilometres and is famous for the Jagannath Temple, a revered pilgrimage destination or as they call it, a Char Dham temple and the long sandy Puri Beach.

Now, let’s move on to our travel guide on the top things to do in Puri which will help you discover the best shopping destinations, eateries, adventure and fun activities in Puri.

  1. Lord Jagannath Temple

When in Puri, one cannot miss the opportunity of visiting the Lord Jagannath Temple. It is located in the heart of the city and is the visitors’ total favourite! Here you’ll be able to learn about the culture and history of Lord Jagannath and the architecture of the temple will leave you spellbound. If you visit Puri in the month of June-July, you can also see the world famous chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, the Rath Yatra.

If you book a room in a hotel in Puri that’s near to the temple, you wouldn’t have to spend much time travelling.

  1. The Puri Beach

A holiday in Puri is incomplete without visiting the royal golden beach. You can sit back and relax all day and enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of the spot. Sunsets at this point look magical! The sparkling waters will convince you to get up and get playing. Trust us! It is the perfect spot to relax and have a fun time with your family.

There are many luxury hotels in Puri facing the beach. So, if you choose to stay in any one of them, make sure your Puri hotel booking includes a sea-facing room. You’ll enjoy the view no matter what time of the day it is.

  1. Gundicha Temple

Known as the Lord Jagannath’s Garden House, the Gundicha Temple is located just 3 kilometres away from the Jagannath Temple at the end of Bada Danda, the pathway for Rath Yatra. The temple has huge walls made of sandstones that are grey in colour. It is famous for the garden that is built in its middle which is known as God’s Summer Garden. The insides of the temple and the garden are so beautiful you’ll always want to come back.

Some Puri holiday hotels include special trips to the Lord Jagannath and Gundicha temples. So, you can always use that opportunity to travel to these attractions. Puri Beach Resort is one of the luxury hotels in Puri that tend to the visitors in the best way possible. You can look for this particular hotel if you want a Puri resort booking for your holiday.

  1. Narendra Sarovara

The sacred lake located to the North-East of Lord Jagannath Temple is considered to be very special to the followers of Lord Jagannath. It has an island in the middle of the lake dedicated to the three deities, Lord Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra. The lake is famous for Chandan Yatra, wherein Lord Madan Mohan takes a ride on a boat called Chapa. This festival is usually held in April-May on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. On this very day, the construction of the chariots for the three deities for the festival of Rath Yatra begins.

  1. Sudarshan Crafts Museum

Visiting the Sudarshan Crafts Museum must anyhow be in your to-do list when you’re in Puri. It was started in 1977 by the famous sculptor and artist Shri Sudarshan Sahoo and is located on the Station Road. Inside the museum, you’ll find the sculptor’s works like wood carvings, stone works fiberglass works, paintings, handicrafts and more.

Shri Sudarshan Sahoo and his wife also run a Gurukul system to teach budding artists how to fine-tune their skills and showcase their talent in the entire world. This is one of the must- visit locations in Puri.

  1. Chung Wah

If you’re wondering where to eat when you’re in Puri, you need to worry no more. Chung Wah is a restaurant in Puri that’s the most popular eatery out there. It is a Chinese restaurant and serves delicacies that speak directly to your heart. No doubt you’ll find a restaurant in Puri that serves good food, but Chung Wah is class apart!

  1. Main Market

Are you a shopaholic? You must head to the Flea Market or the Main Market in Puri. There are innumerable numbers of shops lined in the Main Market. You’ll mostly find religious items, handicrafts, soft wood items, sea shells, mythological paintings, traditional textiles and more. The market is usually crowded because of the amazing items on sale. You’ll love the experience of shopping at the Main Market in Puri.

Whenever you visit Puri, make sure you include trips to these tourist attractions to make your stay memorable.

Stay Tuned with Hotel Holiday Resort at www.puriholidayresort.com to gather all the information about Puri.

Mukti Mandapa

Located in front of the Nrusingha temple- on the southeren side of the Lord Jagannath Temple. Mukti Mandapa holds very special significance. The name Mukti Mandapa is formed by the combination of two words ‘Mukti’, which means freedom and ‘Mandapa’, which means platform.

It was built in 15th Century on the request of Queen Mahadevi, wife of King Mansingh of Jaipur.

What Is Mukti Mandapa

It is a council of Brahmin scholars that acts as a final judicial system in religious matters. It is headed by Shankaracharys of Puri Govardhan math on permanent basis. All the disputes that fall under religion are discusses and a final verdict is passed by the council of pandits. In ancient days, the matter was when put in front of the King, he used to call the council for discussion and the verdict was passed by the council itself.

According to some local beliefs, a person gets salvation and will be free from all their sins if he/she follows all the rituals as told by the scholars of Mukti Mandapa.

Apart from these duties, Mukti Mandapa is also involved in some significant rituals of the temple and Odia tradition. The yearly Odia calendar is submitted to the Mukti Mandapa for the approval before being published and made publically available.

The council also performs rites and rituals during the Nava Kalavera festival. The council is offered Mahaprasada after morning and mid-day dhupas.

Structure of The Platform where The Council Sits

The structure Mukti Mandapa is made up of black granite stone with height 5 feet and the area covered is 900 square feet. The shape of the platform is an elevated square and is open from all sides except for roof, which is at the height of 13 feet from the ground level. Total 16 pillars support the whole structure out of which 12 pillars are around the periphery and 4 are present in the middle section. The height if each pillar is 8 feet. These 16 pillars are believed to be the symbols of the sixteen Brahmin Sasanas (settlements or villages) established around Puri city by Ramachandara Dev, the first king of Bhoi Dynasty. A number of idols of different Hindu Gods and Goddesses adorn the platform.

Mukti Mandpa holds a very high respect and place. The council and the platform is believed to be a home extensive knowledge and experience and hence many people bow their heads and touch the platform to show their respect towards this valuable seat. The platform, no doubt has been adorned by a number of learned men and therefore deserves all the respect offered to it by devotees.

Stay tuned at www.puriholidayresort.com for more interesting information about Puri.

Holidays, even the pilgrimage ones, are incomplete without doing shopping. After all, we all love to take back some memories in form of souvenirs from the places we visit. Puri, apart from its religious significance owns rich cultural heritage that can be seen around in the local markets of the Puri, reflected in the wonderful collection of textiles and handicrafts. Weaving saris is a traditional craft of Odisha.

In Puri you would find many Government and private outlets dealing in textiles where shoppers flock in large numbers. Do check out the exquisite passapali, bomkai, sambalpuri and ikat saris while shopping in Puri. Handicraft items including palm leaf engraving, silver filigrees, horn work, pattachitra, coir products, metal ware, appliques, sea shell items, stone statues, wooden statues, papier mache masks and solapith are available at Government emporiums, private shops and bazars of the city. You can also find a wide range of utility products and decorative pieces in textiles including canopies, blinds, and garden & beach umbrellas.

Being a beachside destination, shells and oyster are available in abundance in Puri. Over the years the ace craftsmen have perfected the art of making artefacts out of shells and oysters. A variety of utilities, decorative showpieces are definitely a feast to eyes and may leave you spoilt for choice. Do pick up few sea shell items while shopping in Puri.

So today let’s unravel some of the best shopping destinations in Puri.

Utkalika

Odisha State Co-operative Handicrafts Corporation Ltd which is commonly known as Utkalika. Utkalika outlet is located in Grand Center market complex, near Jagannath Temple. At Utkalika you will find almost all varities of textile and handicraft items at resonable price including Applique Work, Art Textiles, Brass & Bell metal, Cane & Bamboo Craft, Dhokra Casting, Golden Grass, Horn Works, Palm Leaf Engraving, Paper Mache, Pattachitras, Sabai Grass, Silver Filigree, Stone Carving, Terracotta, Tribal Jewellery, Wood Carving. No bargaining is allowed here as this is a Odisha State Government owned shop with fixed price for all items.

Sudharshan Workshop

Sudharshan workshop is famous for stone carving and is located at the Station Road near Puri Zilla School and has a variety of items like stone & wood carvings of various religious deities & exotic sculptures, handicraft products and paintings.

Pattachitra Center

Pattachitra Center is famous for pattachitra& palm leaf engraving. It is located on Nabakalabara road of Puri. Though it is famous for pattachitra, but you will also find other handicraft items like stone statues, wooden statues and various types of paintings

Priyadarshini

Priyadarshini is located at V.I.P roard of Puri and is very famous for handloom items and handicraft products. Priyadarshini is one of the finest Odisha handloom woven in cotton and silk. Claiming to be Odisha’s top weaver’s, Priyadarshini will not disappoint you with its wide-range of collection including sarees and dress materials. Right from the traditional temple borders and geometric designs to the exquisite fabrics like Tusser, Sambalpur and Ikat named after the Odisha regions, the colorful variety is a treat to watch and elegant to drape.

Sun Crafts

Sun Crafts is located at V.I.P roard of Puri and is very famous for wooden Jagannath figures. You will find Jagannath figures in almost all shopping places in Puri, but the finishing and quality produced by the artisans at Sun Crafts is unmatchable. You can also place order for the figures as per your requirement and they will make it for you. You will also find pattachitras&plam leaf engravings here.

Grand Road (Known As ‘BadaDanda’ In Local Language)

Grand Road is the main road in front of Jagannath Temple’s lions gate. All the way down the Grand Road outside the Jagannath Temple, you will find shops selling rudraksha (holy seeds), sandalwood beads, images of Lord Jagannath, brass idols, paintings on coconut, wooden replica of chariots and other devotional items. You will find other shopping complexes like Grand Center, Sahoo Super Bazaar, Nayak Plaza, Suriya Complex, Jagannath Ballava Market Complex and Laxmi Market Complex on the Grand Road. You will find amazing collection of fancy apparels, cloth items, handicrafts and lovely souvenirs in these market complexes. You will find the same item with different price tags in these market complexes so please do bargain during shopping.

Sea Beach Markets

There are three major places near to Puri sea side where you will find most of the crowds, these three places are Penthokota area, area in front of Puri hotel and Swargadwara area. You will find most of the shops & stalls in these areas selling sea shell items made out of shells and oysters and handloom products. During evening, you will find lot of vendors moving on the beach and selling cronch shells and other decorative items. Sometimes you will get good price from these vendors as compared to shops for same item.

All these places will lend an excellent opportunity to peak into the rich heritage of Odisha. Outside main city Puri, Pipli and Raghurajpur are two famous villages known for extraordinary handicrafts.

At last, here comes a Shopping-Tip for Local Puri Market-BARGAIN!

Yes, do not forget to bargain to buy your choices at very reasonable costs.

Happy Shopping!

Know Puri Better – www.puriholidayresort.com

Puri Tours

General Information and Tips About Puri

  • The standard time in Puri is GMT + 5 ½ Hours
  • Govt of Odisha tourist offices are available at Railway station, Jagannath Temple, Sea Beach, Bus Stand and also in various tourist destinations.
  • The summer is very hot and humid at Puri. Do carry sunglasses, sunscreen lotion and a hat.
  • The winter is not too cold at Puri. Do carry light winter clothes with you.
  • You will find beggars in all tourist destinations, it is not mandatory to help them, try to avoid them as far as possible. Do not let them hassle you, and do not encourage them by giving them money.
  • Change currency only from official money changers.
  • Cyber cafes with Internet facility is available in some places of Puri.
  • Always respect religious shrines and places of worship.
  • Non Hindus are not allowed to enter into Lord Jagannath Temple.
  • In case of any trouble, immediately contact the nearest Police Station.
  • Make sure to remove your footwear when visiting a place of worship. All most all temples in Puri will not even allow you to carry leather articles like wallet, belt etc inside. You can deposit them in the temple shoe stand and collect it on your way out.

Safety Tips

  • While travelling in/to various tourist places of/around Puri in local buses, trains etc. be aware of pick picketers and snatchers. Though it is not a frequent activity but many cases reported every year. Never leave your luggage, briefcase or other items unattended.
  • Don’t keep your wallet in the rear pocket. Keep it in an inside jacket pocket or side trouser pocket.
  • All valuables and important papers (jewelry, passports, return tickets, etc) should be kept in your hotel’s safe deposit box. Never leave them unattended in your room. Avoid carrying large sums of cash on your person.
  • Don’t take the advice of taxi drivers for the purpose of accommodation.
  • You should be aware of the local laws and customs prevailing in India. This will help in making your trip hassle free.
  • Never ever purchase air/ rail/ bus tickets through strangers or unauthorized travel agents/ tour operators, also known as touts. They are not at all reliable. Buy tickets from the authorized centers only.

Health And Medication

  • Avoid drinking water from an unknown source. When in doubt purchase Bisleri, Kinley, Aqua Finaetc mineral water bottles from any shop.
  • Even when you are visiting restaurants or hotels, insist on bottled (mineral) water. You will not face much trouble as almost all the restaurants and hotels keep bottled water.
  • You can find vendors selling fresh coconut water everywhere in Puri.
  • Avoid foods that have been laid out in the open, avoid sweets and candies from local markets. Try and avoid spicy food, especially if you’re not used to it. Enjoy your food inside the hotels and restaurants.
  • Pharmacies or chemists are available in every place of Puri. In case you need to consult a doctor, ask for help from your hotel (most have doctors on call) or go to any hospital/clinic.
  • Never forget to carry your essential medication with you. The brand names can differ and your specific brand of medication may not be available in Puri.
  • Never eat cut fruits sold by the roadside vendors. Always eat fruits you can peel. Wash the fruits properly with water well before eating them.
  • Sun in Puri can be ruthless in the summer months. Keep a good sunscreen lotion and sun block cream to avoid sun damages.

For more details, you can contact the hotel management at Hotel Holiday Resort or visit www.puriholidayresort.com

Puri Tours

If you are planning to travel to Puri, here we are with complete travel guide to make your Puri Holidays relaxing, enjoyable and memorable.

Puri – Geographical Location

Puri is a city found in Odisha, India. It is located 19.80 latitude and 85.82 longitude and it is situated at elevation 16 meters above sea level.

Puri has a population of 170,841 making it the 5th biggest city in Odisha. It operates on the BURT time zone, which means that it follows the same time zone as Nowrangapur.

How to Reach Puri

There are many ways of getting to India and then to Puri. It is up to your choice if you want an expensive and comfortable way or an inexpensive and less comfortable means of transportation. There are some options available below how to reach Puri, please choose the way you find the suits to you.

By Air

Puri is 60 km from the domestic airport which is in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha. Bhubaneswar is connected by air with flights to major Indian cities like New Delhi, Calcutta, Visakhapatnam, Ranchi, Chennai and Mumbai etc. All major domestic airlines like Air Deccan, Jetlite, Kingfisher, Indian Airlines have daily flights to/from Bhubaneswar. The nearest International Airport is at Calcutta (Kolkata).

Travellers flying from Europe or America (east): The best way to reach Puri is to fly either to Calcutta (Kolkata), Mumbai (Bombay) or Delhi and then fly to Bhubaneshwar.

Travellers flying from Australia or California could fly directly to Chennai (Madras) or Calcutta (Kolkata) and then fly to Bhubaneshwar.

By Rail

Puri is the last point of South Eastern Railway. A major rail head on the South Eastern Railway, Puri has fast and superfast train connections to Calcutta, New Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai and other major cities and towns of the country.

There is an official Indian railways website where you can find all the necessary information, including time table and fares. You can also book tickets online. This website accepts all major credit cards.

Major Tourist Attractions

The Golden Triangle of East India includes Puri, Konark and Bhubaneshwar. This is also known as the glorious golden temple triangle of the Eastern India. This triangle shows the rich heritage of the state of Odisha. Each place has it’s own importance, culture and heritage.

Golden Triangle

PURI: The first link of Odisha’s Golden Triangle, Puri is the spiritual capital of the state and popularly known as Jagannath Puri, Nilachala, Nilagiri, Niladri, PurusottamKhetra, Srikhetra, Shreekhetra and SankhaKhetra, occupies a significant place in the map of torism and field of spiritualism of the country for its magnificent culture and striking beauty. Puri, popularly known as the Jagannath Dham, is one of the Char Dhams (Four most famous pilgrimage circuit) of India. The other three dhams are Dwarka, Rameswaram and Badrinath. The main two attractions of this city are famous Lord Jagannath Temple and finest long sandy Sea beach.

BHUBANESWAR: The Second link of Odisha’s Golden Triangle, Bhubaneswar is the capital city of Odisha. It is also known as the ‘City of Temples’. The main tourist attractions of this city are Lingaraj Temple, Mukteshwar Temple, Rajarani Temple, Bindusagar Lake, Khandagiri, Udigiri, Nandankanan and Odisha State Museum.

KONARK: The Third link of Odisha’s Golden Triangle, the Sun Temple of Konark, built in the middle of 13th century, is a massive conception of artistic magnificence and engineering dexterity. Designed in the form of a gorgeously decorated chariot mounted on 24 wheels, each about 10 feet in diameter, and drawn by seven mighty horses, this monument attracts domestic and international pilgrims and tourists in large numbers.

Stay Tuned with Hotel Holiday Resort at www.puriholidayresort.com to gather all the information about Puri.

Puri

There are many traditional old cultural institutions known as ‘Jagagharas’ in Puri. The ‘Jagagharas’ is aplace where certain activities such as bathing in ponds, playing cards, relaxing and spending time with friends are done. Most of these activities are carried out by males. The Kids and young boys get involved in body-building and wrestling.

Structure and Deity

A ‘Jagagharas’ ought to have a temple and a tank. In these temples, idols of Lord Mahavir Hanuman are worshipped. Lord Hanuman is considered as the symbol of celibacy, dedication and physical strength.

Establishment

The Jaga culture was established in ancient times. Several historical evidences say that ‘Jagagharas’ have played an active role as paramilitary organizations in earlier eras.

‘Jagagharas’ are not popular among tourists but make an important aspect of cultural heritage of Puri. These institutions were formed by Sangas- the group of people. In every street, one can easily notice one or two ‘Jagagharas’. Akhadas are said to be the apex bodies of all the ‘Jagagharas’. A GandamalaJagaos is one of the ‘Jagagharas’ located in KalikadeviSahi and another one is the Akhada at the Dakhinakali Temple. There are some 23 akhadas in KundeibentaSahi, which are collectively known as the PatharaAkhada.

Epicenter of Activities

‘Jagagharas’ are centers where the traditional equipment like bed for wrestling also known as the Phulka, woods of various shapes and sizes such as Mudgara, some musical instruments such as the Mardala and a tank with an open space is kept.

Dance forms such as Gotipua dance and the songs from odian culture are alsoperformed as Jagas. The sheltered trees, crystal clear peaceful water of the tanks and the cool relaxing ambiance serve the purpose of these ‘Jagagharas’. Saanga (friends), Sangeeta, and the Bhanga are known to be few mediums of having fun and getting entertained.

The procession of ChandanJatra commences from ‘Jagagharas’ only. All the members of ‘Jagagharas’ take bath in the auspicious Narendra Tank. Later on they all go to the Jamunagadhua after Krushnajanma. SahiJatra is street play which is performed during Rama Navmi.

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Budhhist Monastery

Puri is a land of remarkable culture and tradition. Along with the main temple Jagannath, there are number of other places in the city and also spread in its adjacent boundaries. Pipili,Konark, Chilika are some famous place, but today we are going to explore a hidden gem- Kuruma.

Kuruma, a small village in Puri, is located at a distance of 8 kilometers to the south-east of the sun temple of Konark. Kuruma is alternatively spelled as Kurum. The place is famous for the ancient Buddhist site. This site was built between 9th – 10th centuries A.D. It is situated on the left side of the Konarka–Kakatapur road and can be approached by a road branching from the Bali Dokan chowk and is about 2 kilometers from the chowk. The exact geographical location of this village is LONGITUDE 860 07’ 24” E and LATITUDE 190 53’ 62” N. Scholars are of opinion that this was one of the sites containing Buddhist stupas described by HiuenT’sang.

The site was first reported by Brajabandhu Das, a local school teacher and subsequently excavated by Odisha state Archaeology from 1971 to 1975. Prior to this excavacation, a stone slab containing the beautiful image of Lord Buddha was found on the bank of a tank at one end of the village. Here Buddha is seated cross legged with right hand in Bhumisparsa mudra while the left hand placed over his left knee. The image also wears a beautiful crown and a beautifully carved necklace. Besides this Buddha image, other two images were also found near the tank. One of these figures is identified as ‘Heruka’. Local people call this image as ‘Dharma’ (the Sun God) and another image is identified as ‘Yama’ (the God of Death). This Buddhist monastery is having twelve blocks, three in each cardinal direction and an open large courtyard at the center.

The monastery is abandoned now but the images retrieved from the site now worshiped within a small shed. Tourists may visit the room of teacher Sri Brajabandhu Das near to the UGME school, where some of the excavated specimens like script on stone, ancient coins etc. are kept under his supervision. From archaeological point of view Kuruma is not vary famous, but from tourism point of view it is an important place due to its close proximity to sun temple of Konark.

Stay connected at www.puriholidayresorts.com to know more about interesting places in and around Puri.

Bhabakundalesvara Temple

A village named after Manika, a milkmaid who had supposedly sold yogurt to Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra when they were on their way to Kanchi. The word ‘Manikapatna’ is a combination of two words ‘Manika’ and ‘Patana’. ‘Manika’, the name of the milkmaid and ‘Patana’ means ‘Village’.

Manikapatana, alternatively spelt as Manika Patna, is located in the Puri district. It is quite close to the mouth of the Chilika lake.

Manikapatana, one of the Excavated Archeological Sites of Puri district, is in Krushnaprasad block from which the remains at mediaeval period are found. This village is also famous for Bhabakundalesvara Temple.

Bhabakundaleswar temple is located on the left side of the National Highway 203 leading from Puri to Satpadabranching at a distance of 3.3 kilometers from Dahikhia square and situated at a distance of half kilometer from the Bay of Bengal. It is located around 44 kilometers from Puri. The temple is facing towards east and the presiding deity is a Siva Linga made of black chlorite stone. Festivals like Sivaratri, Kartika Purnima, Ekadasi, etc are observed in this temple with great devotion. Marriage, thread ceremony, engagement, etc are also observed here.

One of the most popular stories related to Lord Jagannath is that of kanchiavijana (or journey to Kanchi). Once the King of Puri, Purusottama Deva in the Gonga Dynasty, went to the South India and reached a kingdom called Kanchi. There he met the daughter of the King of Kanchi – Padmavati and both came to know each other. Later the King of Puri was invited by the King of Kanchi who, along with his queen was very pleased with Purusotama Deva and offered marriage proposal for their daughter. Pursottama Deva was very happy with the proposal and accepted gladly. Later the King of Kanchi sent his minister to Pursottama Deva with an official proposal for Marriage. It was the time of RathaYatra (Car Festival), so King Pursottama Deva asked the Minister to stay for few more days so that he can enjoy the Famous RathaYatra of Puri. The Minister was quite happy to see the same. On the Rathayatra day thousands of people gathered to see the festival.

The Minister of Kanchi saw that King Pursottama is standing in front of the chariot with a broom in his hand. After sometime he started sweeping the area where the chariots were kept. The Kanchi minister felt very bad by seeing this activity. He was very angry with this act of the king and returned back to Kanchi immediately and said everything to the king, stating that how can we put the hands of our princess in the hands of a sweeper who sweeps the road.

The King of Kanchi without understanding the situation agreed to the minister opinion and decided that he would certainly not give the hand of his daughter in marriage to one who performs the vile work meant for an untouchable. After this the King of Kanchi organized a Swayambara ceremony where he invited every suitable man from everywhere except King Pursottama Deva. Hearing this Pursottama Deva felt very bad and decided to challenge the King of Kanchi for a war.

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Kakatpur is a small village in Puri District and is situated at a distance of 50 kms from Puri, on the Puri-Astaranga road. Situated on the bank of river Prachi, this temple is famous for Goddess Mangala. Goddess Mangala is the presiding deity of Kakatpur and is worshipped in this temple.

The Folklore

There is a famous story behind the evolution of the name of the deity as ‘Kakatpur’ Mangala and believed by the local people. Goddess Managla kept herself hidden under the deep water of river Prachi. Once a boatman was sailing his boat across river Prachi. At that time, the river was outpouring and flooded so he was unable to sail his boat to the middle of the river. He spent whole day and night but not able to sail his boat and during early morning, before the dawn, Goddess Mangala came in his dream and asked him to recover her from the water and to establish her in nearby Mangalapur village. The boatman dived into the water and able to find the deity from the bed of the river. Then as per the direction of the Goddess he established the figure of the deity in a temple in Mangalapur village. After this the boatman saw a black crow dived into the water and did not come out of the water for hours and days, the crow detained inside the water of river Prachi exactly in the same place from where he recovered the figure of Goddess Mangala. In local Odia language ‘Crow’ means ‘Kaka’ and ‘Detained’ means ‘Atka’. So by combining the two words it becomes ‘Kaka-Atka’, so during the course of time the Mangalapur village is known as ‘Kakat’ (Kaka-Atka) pur and the Goddess is known as KakatpurMangala.

Relation With Jagannath Temple

KakatpurMangala temple has a close relation with Lord Jagannath temple of Puri during the Navakalebara(Renovation of the Deities) festival. Old deities are buried under earth at the dedicated place inside Jagannath templeand new idols are created for Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra. The new idols are created from a sacred wood known as ‘Daru Brahma’ in local language. Nobody knows from where to find the sacred wood to create the new idols, so as per the tradition the priests of Lord Jagannath temple come to KakatpurMangala to pray the Goddess to help them to find the sacred wood. The priests sleep in front of the Goddess with their face down and then Goddess Mangala come in their dream and tell the exact location of the three sacred trees for the three deities. This custom has been performed from years together without any deviation. This shows the power and energy of Goddess Mangala and her blessings for her devotees.

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Pipili

Puri has a very wide and distinctive selection of handicrafts. Best known is probably the gorgeous applique work of Pipili. Pipili is on the way from Puri to Bhubaneswar. It is 40 kilometers from Puri, at the junction where the Konarkroad branches from the Bhubaneswar to Puri road. It is a small village. On the main road at Pipili there are many shops selling Applique work products, tourist visiting Puri buy these products from Pipili. It is famous in Odisha as well as in India for it’s applique craft. Each and every family of the village engaged themselves in this applique craft. Most of the people of the village depend on this applique craft for their day to day life. Applique, a French term, is a technique by which various cutting pieces of coloured fabrics are applied to the surface of another foundation fabric. Applique works of Pipili is also known as patching cloth design and in local language this handicraft is known as ‘Chandua’.

Samiana(Canopies) and chhatris(umbrellas) that bear magnificent appliques and designs of great artistic skill are manufactured at pipili and Puri. It is a hereditary craft. Brightly coloured patches of fabric, cut into animal and flower shapes, are sewn onto bed covers, cushions, wall hangings etc. The art form typically depended on four basis colors, red, white, black and yellow to produce a striking effect. In recent years, green too has been applied vigorously enlivening the craft even more.

Any type of worship or sacrificial work is incomplete without pipilichandua. Canopies, chhatries and tarasas made in applique process are increasingly finding place in festivities. In every religious geity be it the car festival or the minor event of festive, shamiana or the canopies are displayed significantly. Wide scale use of shamiana are seen in the various festival of Lord Jagannath. Since the Lord’s rituals are more of the nature of the daily routine of human being, fan, umbrella of applique work are in rampant use to save the deity from the scorching heat of Sun or the rough weather. In chandanyatra the entire procession is taken out displaying and covering the deities with chattris of applique work. Further, the chandua another marvel of applique work has become a household commodity in almost every religious work.

Besides used in the religious function, with the touch of a little modernity, garments of varied designs are also made with it. Ladies item like frock, blouse, purse, handbags etc. are in great demand among tourists. Screens of bigger size with applique touch are also been made depicting the different characters of religious myth for interior design or decoration of houses.

Make sure you visit this hub of arts and crafts when visiting Puri. For more such interesting places near and in Puri, stay tuned with Puri Holiday Resort – your accommodation partner in Puri.

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Daksinakali Temple

To the world, Puri is famous as Abode of Lord Jagannath. However, the city is dotted with some of the most beautiful temples and one can find followers of different deities.

Apart from Lord Jagannath Temple, Puri is also famous for its Sakta temples. In Puri there are several temples dedicated to Sakta deities such as Varahi, Ramachandi, Bhubanesvari, Harachandi, Daksina Kali, Shyamakali, etc. There is a small temple dedicated to goddess Kali at Bali Sahi. This temple is known as Dakshinakali Temple. It is situated towards the south-eastern side of the Lord Jagannath Temple on Bali sahi. Tourists can approach the temple by using the road leading towards Swargadwar from Singhadwar (Lion’s Gate) of Lord Jagannath Temple, on the left side of this road there is a diversion to Kalikadevi lane. After enetring this lane you can find this temple on the right side.

Daksinakali Temple is facing towards east and the presiding deity is Goddess Kali. The deity is chatrubhuja (four armed) and seated on a corpse. She is shown as drinking blood, with a sword and holding severed head of a demon in two of her hands. If Kali steps out with her right foot and holds the sword in her left hand, she is a Dakshina Kali. If she steps out with her left foot and holds the sword in her right hand, she is Smashan Kali (Kali worshiped near the cremation ground).

The deity is enshrined in a modern temple at a higher raised platform from the road level. Festivals like Kali Puja, Deepavali, Durga Puja, Kumara Purnima, Chaitra Mangalabara, etc. are observed in Dakshina kali Temple with great devotion. On the auspicious day of Kali puja thousands of devotees visit the temple to offer their prayer to Goddess Kali to get her blessings.

Dakshina Kali Temple has important religious associations with Jagannath Temple and it is believed that Daksinakali is the guardian of the kitchen of the Lord Jagannath Temple. Puranic tradition says that in Puri, Lord Jagannathis regarded as Daksinakalika. Goddess Dakshinakali plays an important role in the ‘Niti’ of Saptapuri Amavasya. Tourists come to visit Lord Jagannatha temple, also visit this temple.

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Jagannath Puri is a land of fairs and festivals. Throughout the year tourists could enjoy their visit to Puri and enjoy a number of festivals that enhance the spirits of the city on regular intervals.

Puri brings a host of colorful fairs and festivals every season and ‘Durga Puja’ is one of the most important festivals apart from Jagannath RathYatra. In Puri the festival of ‘Durga Puja’ is also known as ‘GosaniYatra’. Every year several clay idols of MahisamardiniDurga are worshipped during this festival.

Gosani Yatra

The GosaniYatra of Puri has its origin in the folk culture. This fact is evident from the local folk names, they bear such as Kakudikhai, Janhikhai, Barabati, Janhimundia, SunyaGosani, Hadabai, Gelabai, Belabai etc. During GosaniYatra, different types of other clay figures like ravana lifting kailash mountain, demons, nagas, wooden toys etc. are also worshipped. Like Gosanis, gigantic images of Naga are also made and worshipped during the festival. These large male images symbolise heroism and valour. The Naga images represent the Akhada culture of Puri.

At Puri the faces of the Gosani figures are depicted in such a manner which gives an impression that Devi is closely watching Mahisasura and engaged in fierce fighting. Here in this case both Mahisasura and Devi look at each other with great concentration. Another feature of the Gosani images of Puri is that, here the demon in most of the cases is depicted in theriomorphic form i.e., the head is of the buffalo and the body is of a human being.

The decoration of these figures is also interesting like the images which are also indigenous in nature and arranged with sola (thromocol) and jari (polythin) work. The crown, ornaments, attributes and the halo are made of sola and jari which double the beauty of these images.

On the following day of Dusshera the Goshanis from all the sahis (streets) come together in procession in front of Jagannath Temple to pay tribute to Lord Jagannath. This is known as ‘BhasaniYatra’. Huge crowd from puri and nearby villages gather in front of Jagannath temple to celebrate BhasanaiYatra. In late night, the idols are taken for visarjana in the nearby rivers and sea.

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Puri, the abode of Lord Jagannath, is one of the richest places when it comes to the presence of some ancient, age old and important sacred temples. The temples are not only significant from religious point of view, but also lend traditional, cultural and historical importance.

One of the sacred tourist destinations of Puri, Barala is a village of religious importance where a famous Shiva temple is located. Barala is 11 kilometers from Sakhigopal, which is 22 km from Puri, on the Puri-Bhubaneswar National Highway 203 branching at Pattanayikia chowk, ahead of Chandanpur. This Shiva temple is knwon as BaralaBalunkeswar Temple or BaralaBalunkeswar Shiva Temple. This temple is one of the most important Shaiva shrines of Puri. The exact geographical location of the temple is LONGITUDE 850 50’ 52” E LATITUDE 190 58’ 29” N.

Barala Shiva Temple

Balunkeswar Shiva Temple is facing towards the east. The innermost chamber of the main temple preserves a Shiva Linga which is the presiding deity of the temple. Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Lord Balunkeswar. Flowers, sandal paste, milk, Curd (yoghurt), honey, beetle leaves, coconut water, bilva leaves, etc. offered to Lord Balunkesvara throughout the year. This temple also houses 25 small shrines enshrining of images of Durga, Khshetrapala, Vairabhi Annapurna, Ardhanariswara, Damodara, Gopal, Narasimha, Ambika, and Parshwanath (Jain) images. Famous Festivals like Mahashivaratri, Sitalasasthi, Sankranti, Ekadasietc are observed here with great devotion. On the day of Mahashivaratri thousands of devotees from far and near arrive at the temple to offer their prayer to Lord Balunkeswar to get His blessings. Marriage ceremony, thread ceremony and engagements are also observed in this temple.

The architecture of the Balunkesvara Temple is novel with Vimana (Main Temple), Jagamohana (Entrance Hall) and Natamandapa (Dancing Hall). The temple is surrounded by a high wall with Sinha dwara (Lion’s Gate) on the east. There is another entrance on the southern side of the temple. Images of Goddesses Ganga and Yamuna are carved on the main door of the dancing hall. Lord Ganesha image is found on southern entrance of the jagamohana. Lord Narasimha and Lord Hanuman images are also available in the temple. The temple is under the care of Endowment Department of Government of Odisha.

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The ‘Beach Festival’ of Puri is organized by the people of Odisha, the citizen of Puri, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) and sponsored by Department of Tourism (Govt. of India and Govt. of Odisha).

Puri Beach festival unravel the majestic grandeur of divergent art, craft & Culture from different states, particularly the ethnic pristine splendor of Odishan glorious culture heritage amidst the exotic ambience on the golden pastures of the Bay of Bengal. Top performers from other states have been invited to present their rich talents. That performance could see by the foreign and domestic tourists to attract them to visit again and again. The basic idea of Puri Beach festival is to present the art, crafts, culture, cuisine and tourism potential of the state on a single platform and to attract world focus on it. Further the motive is to promote Odisha in and outside of the country. A variety of sports such as beach kabadi by girls, country boat race among the nolias, kick-boxing, tea-kwno-do, wushe, karate, Indian style of wrestling, beach volley ball by both boys and girls, fire bonati and malkhamb are some of the attractions which would keep both the domestic and the foreign tourists busy and enchanted all through the 7 days of the festival.

Puri Beach Festival

Besides the sports events the other major attraction is the culture based program.Since Odisha is a place with varied culture, the different traditional functions emphasizing its culture are displayed in its wide form. Representatives from different part of the state participates and perform their own cultural theme which includes dance, song, orchestra etc. in a lively way. The great oddissi dance projecting the saga of widely accepted Ramayana, Mahabharata, Dasavatara, prahalladbadha etc. are performed by different established group in dance form. The marital art of Mayurbhanj is displayed in Chau nurtya.The paikas of Khurda who are known in the pages of history for their valor, are also reflected in the dance form by the traditional paikas as Paikanrutya. In addition to this, members from other part of the country & foreign as well takes part to show their cultural ability.

The major attraction which is exclusive is the ‘Sand Art’. Sand art is a new concept which is carved out from heap of sand. The different monumental structure of ancient India, are projected in sands. The famous picture of AlasaKanya or the tiresome lady which is found over the walls of ancient temples like konark, Jagannath temple is well shown in the sands.

The HRAO has taken step of presenting this festival to attract not only foreigners, but also a huge domestic tourists traffic who would be eager to come to this state on one platform. They would be able to enjoy our rich cultural heritage, handicrafts, handloom, cottage industries, and the lack of memories and moments that would be everlasting in the minds of the tourists who visit Odisha during the festival. HRAO:The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha may be just about over one and half decade old,being ‘born’ in 1984,but in its short life it has contributed in a most significant manner to the growth of the hospitality industry in Odisha.The growth of the HRAO is an index of the expansion of the hotel industry in Odisha.Today,there are almost 200 members of the Association and the membership is growing.HRAO was formed basically to help the members in running a smooth and successful business and to promote tourism in Odisha.

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Alarnath Temple

Lord Alarnath temple in Brahmagiri, around 25 km from Puri, is not a big tourist destination but a famous religious place for all Krishna devotees. It is explained that in Satya Yuga, Lord Brahma came and worshipped Lord Vishnu here on top of a hill. One day Lord Vishnu appeared and said, “I am very pleased with your worship. Make a four-armed Deity of Me holding shankha, chakra, gada, and padma (conch shell, disk, club, and lotus). The Deity should be made from a piece of black stone. Also install a Deity of Garuda”. Lord Vishnu also said, “This place will be called Brahmagiri (Brahma’s hill) because you have worshipped me here”. According to mythology, the rulers of Alwar in Rajasthan had established the temple here. The temple was later known as Alwarnath or Alarnath.

Long yesrs back (in 1610 A.D) Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu stayed at Alarnath during anavasara period of Lord Jagannath. Anavasara is the two weeks period when Lord Jagannatha take rest in isolation from the rest of the world after suffering from fever due to the annual bathing festival (Snana Yatra). Lord Chaitanya claimed that he visualised the appearance of Lord Jagannath in Alarnath and spent a long period in worshipping the deity here. It is believed that those who can not worship Lord Jagannath during his stay in the sick chamber can get the blessings of the deity if they visit the Alarnath temple. During this period the temple servitors offered holy porridge (rice pudding sweetened by jaggery), known as ‘Kheer’ in local language, to the lord. During anavasara period of every year thousands of devotees visit Alarnath temple to get the blessings of Lord Alarnath and to taste a pot of famous holy ‘Kheer’.

There is a beautiful myth about the ‘Kheer’ bhog. One day a child devotee prayed to the lord with great devotion and offered hot kheer. The lord in hurry dipped his fingers to take pleasure of the kheer and his upper right hand’s fingers got burn. It is clearly visible and on your request the Priest will also show you the brunt fingers. plain

n this temple Lord Vishnu is worshiped as Lord Alarnath. The deity has four arms. He holds chakra in his upper right hand, Lotus in his lower right hand, Conch in his upper left hand and club in his lower left hand. Lord Vishnu’s carrier eagle, known as Garuda, kneels at the feet of the deity with his hands folded in prayer position. The deities of Lord Krishna‘s queens Rukmini and Satyabhama are also find inside the temple. Deity of Lord Chaitanya is also found inside the temple. There is a stone slab in front of the deity which bears impressions from Lord Chaitanya’s body. When Lord Chaitanya first lay in full respect in front of Lord Alarnath, the stone below Lord Chaitanya melted from His blissful touch. There is a lake behind the temple where ChandanYatra (Sandalwood Festival) is celebrated for 21 days every year.

There is Goddess Lakshmi temple inside the Alarnath temple compound. The Goddess has four arms and looks very beautiful. Drashan of Goddess Laxmi gives a sense of inner peace.

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Jagannath Rathyatra 2018

Puri along with Bhubaneshwar and Konark marks the epicentre of spirituality as the area is dotted with a number of ancient old temples, which hold crucial significance in Hinduism.

Among all, Chakratirtha is an important pilgrim centre of Puri. It is situated towards the northern end of Puri town and at a distance of 3 kilometres from the Lord Jagannath temple. It is located on the right side of Chakratirtha Road, leading from Subas Bose Chowk to Penthakota, the fisherman village. At this place there is a temple dedicated to Lord Nrusingha. Local people know this temple in various names like Chakra Narasimha Temple, Chakra Nrusingha Temple and Chakra Narayana Temple. At this temple, a large Chakra, the devine weapon of Lord Visnu or Jagannath, is being worshipped in water in the sanctum sanctorum made of black granite with a statue of Lord Narayan at the centre, known as Chkranarayana.

The presiding deities of the temple are three images of Lord Nrusingha known as Abhaya Nrusingha, Chakra Nrusingha and Laxmi Nrusingha. These three different forms of Lord Nrusingha as worshipped at Chakratirtha have unique values in Hindu religion. The form of Abhaya Nrusingha represents Sri Balabhadra. The form of Chakra Nrusingha represents Goddess Subhadra and the form of Laxmi Nrusingha represents Lord Jagannath. In puranas, the first three gods of the universe, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswar have also found expression in the forms of Chakra Nrusingha, Laxmi Nrusingha and Abhaya Nrusingha respectively.

Significance

It is believed by local people that once there was a cyclone in Puri and the Neelachakra (the wheel at top of Jagannath Temple) was displaced from its location, flown across the sky and finally fell at Chakratirtha. It is also believed that the ‘Daru’ (divine log of wood for the creation of deities of Lord Jagannth temple during Navakalevara ) touched the ground at Chakratirtha for the first time coming through the sea. Chakratirtha has another spiritual significance as the abode of Goddess Mahalaxmi’s father is situated here.

Chakratirtha temple has close association with Lord Jagannth temple and every year the Agnyamala from Lord Jagannath comes to Lord Nrusingha. Narasimha Janma festival is observed in this temple with great devotion.

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Daria Mahavir Temple

A small sea side temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman is situated west of Chakranarayan temple in Puri. The temple is known as Daria Mahavir Temple. In local language ‘Daria’ means ‘Sea’ and Mahavir is another name of Lord Hanuman. The temple is located on the left side of the Chakratirtha road leading from Subash Bose Chowk to Penthakata. From the architectural point of view the temple is not so important but from the religious point of view, it occupies an important position in the cultural history of Puri. The exact geographical location of the temple is LONGITUDE 85050’67”E and LATITUDE 19048’03”N. The temple is facing towards east. The outer walls of the temple housed images of different Deities. The image of Anjana, holding a baby in her lap, is carved on the western side wall. There is a female divinities over a decorated pedestal on the northern side wall. The image of Lord Ganesha is carved on the southern side wall.

The presiding deity is a two armed Hanuman, holding a ladu (sweet) in left hand a gada (mace) in his right hand. Famous rituals like Pana Sankranti, Hanuman Jayanti, Rama Navami etc are observed in this temple. The temple is also known as Bedi Hanuman Temple.

Folklore – From where did the temple got its name

The temple has an interesting story behind the name ‘Bedi Hanuman’.

It is believed that Daria Mahavir protects Sankha kshetra Puri against the fury of the sea. It is Daria Mahavir’s duty to see that the sea does not cross its limits and enter the peripheral boundaries of Puri. But when the Jagannath Temple was built, Varuna, the God of the Sea, able to came to the Jagannath temple to pay his respects. In the meantime sea water entered the city, causing considerable damage to the temple. The devotees prayed to Lord Jagannath who asked Hanuman to explain how the sea entered the city in his presence. Lord Hanuman told that he was not present at that time and was left for Ayodhya without informing him. On hearing about Lord Hanuman’s unscheduled visit to Ayodhya, Lord Jagannath got his hands and feet tied with rope (bedi) and asked him to be vigilant on the sea shore day and night. Since his hands and feet tied with rope (bedi), he is known as ‘Bedi Hanuman’ or ‘Chained Hanuman‘. There is a popular belief that since then, the sea has not entered into the city.

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Markandeshwar Temple

The Golden Triangle of Odisha is adorned with innumerable temples. Some of these temples hold a very special significance and are historically, culturally and religiously are very important. Most often Jagannath Temple is the most famous and visited pilgrimage site in Puri, however apart from Jagannath Temple, there are few other beautifully carved out temples which should be included in your visiting-spots when travelling to Puri.

One such temple is Markandeshwar Temple in Puri.

Markandeswar temple is also known as Markandesvara Temple, Markandeya Shiva Temple and Markandeswara Mahadeva Temple. This temple is facing towards east and the presiding deity is a Sivalinga. This temple is connected with the rituals of Chandan yatra, Balabhadra Janma, Ashram Bije, Sital Sasthi, Kaliyadalan etc. of the Jaganath temple. Festivals like Janmastami, Risi Panchami, Rakhi Purnima, Sivaratri, Sankranti, Narasimha Chaturdasi etc. are also observed with great devotion at this temple. This place is one of the Pancha Tirthas of Puri and also one of the fifty two sacred Shiva places of the country.

Markandeya is one among the Pancha Pandavas. God saved Markandeya from a severe danger from sea. The place where God saved Markanda is known as Markandeya, the holy place, on that particular spot Markandeya remained on meditation for a long time. At this place a Shiva Temple was constructed by sage Markandeya. The ancient Markandeswar Shiva Temple is situated in the Markandeswar street by the side of  Markandeswar tank, to the north of the Jagannath temple. This place can be approached on the right side of Markandeswar road leading from Markandeswar chowk to Prui-Brahmagiri road. The exact geographical location of this temple is LONGITUDE 85049’94”E and LATITUDE 19048’62”N.

Markandeya Tank

Markandeya tank is an open structure and it enclosed within a stone wall made of dressed laterite blocks. The tank is rectangular is shape and 8.50 meters below the present road level. Its sides measure 350 feet on the northern side, 508 feet on the eastern side, 385 feet on the southern side and 542 feet on the western side. Bathing ghats are provided for the tourists in southern side of the tank. The tank is presently used for rituals as well as for normal bathing. Rituals like Pinda Dana, Mundan Kriya etc. are observed on the steps of the tank. The tank is fed by a natural spring from underground. The excess and waste water is discharged through an outlet channel in the north eastern wall. As a result the water level of the tank remains constant throughout the year. The exact geographical location of this tank is LONGITUDE 85048’94”E LATITUDE 19048’62”N.

Previously at the northern side of the tank there are seven stone images, each four feet high, kept over a platform representing the Sapta Matrukas or seven sacred mothers. These Seven Mothers are also accompanied by images of Lord Ganesha and Lord Virabhadra. I visited this temple on 02FEB2010 and found that the temple administration is creating a new temple for the Sapta Matrukas and all these images have already been shifted inside the under construction temple.

Few ancient stone inscriptions found on the steps to the tank and the Markandeshwar Temple, are of great interest to historians. These stone inscriptions pertain to Ganga dynasty. Both Markandeswar temple and Markandeswar tank can be dated back to the 12th century AD. Puri became an important center of pilgrimage by the 12th century. The history in Puri also proves that Sri Ramanuja visited Puri during 1107 and 1117. Sri Ramanuja was followed by Vishnu Swami, who is known to establish the Vishnuswami Matha, near Markandeshwar Tank.

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Aruna Stamba

The architecture of Jagannatha Temple is a marvelous piece of craftsmanship. The Kalinga style architecture, exhibiting the intricate and meaningful carvings enhance the beauty of the temple, which is already adorned by the presence of Lord Jagannatha and his siblings.

Apart from the main temple structure, the Aruna Stamba and 4 gates of temple also a significant meaning and place. Many times, the devotees who visit Puri first time or once or twice are not aware of the specialties and features of these structures and even may fail to notice the presence of these structures. Today, we will discuss the importance and special features of ArunaStamba and 4 gates of Shree Temple, in order to popularize these structures more and make them known to everyone who visits Puri.

Aruna Stamba

In front of the entrance to the eastern gateway there is the beautiful Sun Pillar (Aruna Stambha), which originally stood before the temple of the Sun at Konark and was shifted here by the Marathas. The Sun Pillar is a monolithic shaft of chlorite with sixteen sides.It is 25 feet and 2 inches in height,2 feet in diameter, and 6 feet and 3.5 inches in circumference. It stands on an exquisitely carved pedestal (made of chlorite) of 7 feet 9 inches square and 6 feet high, and has a capital on the top 2 feet high, over which squats the praying Aruna. The capital is formed of two rings surmounted by a series of lotus petals. The measurements thus give a total height of 33 feet & 8 inches from the ground to the top of the capital. In its present situation the pillar is about two part of the 13th century.

The Gates

In the temple of Jagannath there are four gates both in outer and inner enclosures. The eastern entrance of the outer enclosure is called Simhadwara or the Lion Gate. The entrance on the Southern, Western and Northern sides of the out enclosure are known as Aswadwara, Vyaghradwara and Hastidwara respectively. They are also called as Purbadwara, Dakhinadwara, Paschimadwara and Uttardwara according to their directions. Worshipping the gates also forms a part of the daily ritualistic service of the temple.The eastern gate is beautifully ornamented. Navagraha reliefs are carved on the architraves of all the gates.

  1. The Simhadwara or the Lion Gate has on each side a colossal crouching lion of the usual Odian make with a crown on its head, which gives the gate its name. In the proylaeum at the Lion Gate on the northern side there is the image of Patitapavana.In front of Patitapavana a small image of Garuda has been installed. The idols of phatyaHanumana, Radha-Krishna, and Nursimha have been installed in the inches of the side walls. Formerly the untouchables who were not allowed to go inside the temple used to offer their prayers to Patitapavana (Jagannath) remaining outside the Simhadwara. Inside the outer enclosure is the inner enclosure, approached by 22 flights of steps (Baisipahacha) from the eastern gateway of the outer enclosure. The width of the middle 15 steps varies from 5 feet and 10 inches to 6 feet 3 inches and the rise is 6 inches to 7 inches. The size of the remaining 7 steps is smaller both in length and width. The steps are made of felspar and Khondalite. The idols of Kasi-Biswanath, ramachandra, Nursimha and Ganesh have been installed on the southern side of the Baisipahacha.
  1. The Aswadwara or the Horse Gate has on each side a galloping stallion of masonry work with the figures of Jagannath and Balabhadra on their back in full military array. These sculptures depict the legendary Kanchi expedition of Jagannath and Balabhadra, and have been installed recently. The inner enclosure is approached by ten flights of steps, made of khondalite, from the southern gateway of the outer enclosure.

The images of SadhabhujaGouranga,Ramachandra, Gopala, BarabhaiHanumana and Nursimha have been installed in small shrines in the outer enclosure.Towards the eastern direction of it is the kitchen of Lord Jagannath, which can feed thousands of people at a time. The process of cooking done in the kitchen has some peculiarities.In the same over nine earthern pots are placed and cooking is done simultaneously.There are 200 hearths in the kitchen and 400 supakars work here daily.The present kitchen building dates from the reign of Divyasimha Deva (1690-1713 A.D.) and was built by a private person.The colossal image of Mahavir Hanuman is installed outside the temple enclosure to the east of Aswadwara.

  1. The Vyaghradwara or the Tiger Gate has on each side a figure of a tiger made of mortar. The inner enclosure is approached by seven flights of steps, made of khondalite, from the western gateway of the outer enclosure. The deities of Rameswar-Mahadeva, Sri Jagannath Dwarakanath,and Badrinath are installed in the outer enclosure in a shrine known as Chaturdham.

Flower garden have been set up both the sides from which flowers are collected for the daily worship of the deities. The shrines of Chakranarayana, Sidheswara, Mahabir Hanuman, and DhabaleswarMahadeva are located in this area.On the northern side, the NiladriVihar has been constructed which depicts the popular legends on Jagannath through models and paintings.

  1. The Hastidwara or the Elephant Gate had on each side a colossal figure of elephant, which is said to have been disfigured during the Muslim inroads. Subsequently, these figures were repaired and plastered with mortar and placed at he northern gate of the inner enclosure (KurmaBedha).

The inner enclosure is approached by thirteen flights of steps made of khondalite, from the northern gateway of the outer enclosure. The deities of Lokanath,Uttarani, Lakshmi-Nursimha, Baraha and Sitala have been installed in the outer enclosure. There is also the sacred Suna-Kuan from which 108 pitchers of water are taken for the ceremonial bath of Lord Jagannath during the SnanaYatra. On the western side of the outer enclosure, near the gate of the kurmabedha, stands a banian tree and on a raised platform, the favorKoiliBaikuntha or KaivalyaBaikuntha.During the Nabakalebara, the images of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are being constructed here.

For other such interesting facts and topic related to Puri, stay tuned with Hotel Holiday Resort. Visit www.puriholidayresort.com

Gundicha Temple

Puri is one of the most fabulous places to enjoy the vacations and also seek blessings of Lord Jagannatha. Apart from the main Shree Temple, there are number of other temples that hold special significance and one such temple is Gundicha Temple, and is also known as Garden House of Lord Jagannatha.

This temple is located at the end of Grand road about three km north east of Jagannth temple and is marvellous piece of architecture with intricately carved structure all over in light-grey snadstone.

Relation to Lord Jagannath and Rath Yatra

It is during the Rath Yatra, that this temple becomes the centre of attraction as Lord stays in this temple for 7 days during Rath Yatra time. For rest of the year, the temple remains empty and can be visited by tourists.

Gundicha Mandira is also called the “birthplace” of Jaganantha Swami because here on a special platform called the mahavedi, a celestial carpenter carved the daru that manifested the Deities of Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra during the reign of King lndradyumna. This temple is named after King Indradyumna’s wife, Gundicha Maharani. In this area King Indradyumna performed one thousand ashvamedha yajnas.

During Ratha Yatra, Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva and Subhadra Devi, along with Sudarsana, leave Jagannath Mandira for nine days: one day for traveling to Gundicha, seven days spent there, and one day to return home. This Journey is known as to Gundicha Yatra, Nava Dina Yatra (“nine days Journey”), or Ghosa Yatra. It is most auspicious to have darshana of Lord during this time. Every year the Rathayatra culminates at this temple which is surrounded by lush gardens and tall cooling coconut trees. Fragrant flowers and shady trees create a Vrindavan atmosphere which Lord Jaganantha enjoys for 7 days before returning to Sri Mandira.

The cleansing of the Gundicha Temple – Gundicha-marjana – takes place the day before the Rathayatra festival as mentioned in Chaitanya-Charitamrita. Darshan of Jagannatha during His stay at Gundicha temple is known as Adapa Darshana. It is said in scripture that darshan of the Lord Jagannatha at Gundicha temple is equal to ten darshan at Nilachala Temple (main temple).

The place where Gundicha temple is situated is known as Sundarachala. Sundarahcala is compared to Vrindavana, and Nilachala, where Jagannatha recides, is compared to Dvaraka. During Ratha Yatra, Lord Jagannatha comes to Vrindavana, as the devotees are in the mood of residents of Vrindavana, begging the Lord to return with them.

Goddess Gundi

Some folklore suggests that main deity of the temple is Goddess Gundi, an avatar of Goddess Durga, who cures chicken pox.

Apart from these legends, there are few versions as well. Whatever the story may lie behind, but today the fact is that Gundicha Temple is one of the major attractions in Puri and also a must visit.

For more such interesting places and legends, stay tuned with Hotel Holiday Resort – visit us at www.puriholidayresort.com

Vimala Temple Puri

Puri holds a prominent place as a Hindu Pilgrimage site. With Lord Jagannath residing here, Puri attracts a lot of ardent devotees from all over the world to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath. However, Puri is not just one among the Char Dhams, but it is also regarded as an abode of Hindu Goddess Vimala, and therefore is highly regarded as Shakti Pitha.

Who is Goddess Vimala?

Goddess Vimala is regarded as tantric consort of Lord Jagannath and is therefore believed to be another form of Goddess Laxmi. It is believed that she guards the temple complex and devotees should pay visit to Goddess Vimala before seeking blessings of Lord Jagannath.

The importance of Goddess Vimala becomes instantly visible by the tradition of temple, which is based on an age-old legend- Food offered to Jagannath does not get sanctified as Mahaprasad until it is also offered to Vimala.

The Shrine

The temple of Goddess Vimala is located in the south-west corner of the inner enclosure of the Jagannath temple complex and on the western corner of the tower of Jagannath, next to the sacred pond Rohini kunda. Facing towards east, the temple is constructed of sandstone and laterite in typical Deua style of architecture.

Significance as Shakti Pitha

The Vimala Temple is considered to be one of  the most Shakti Pithas. The Shakti Pithas are the most sacred temples dedicated to Hindu Goddesses, and are ainly identified with Goddess Durga and Goddess Parvati.

A Wikipedia article dedicated to Goddess Vimala states that

“In Goddess-oriented worship, Vimala (Bimala) is regarded as the presiding goddess of the Purushottama (Puri) Shakti Pitha. Jagannath, a form of the god Vishnu/Krishna (Krishna is generally regarded as an avatar of Vishnu), is worshipped as the Pitha’s Bhairava. This is a departure from the usual tradition of Bhairava as a form of Shiva. So, in this temple complex, Vishnu–one of the Hindu trinity – is equated with Shiva, another of the trinity; this is interpreted to convey the oneness of God. In this regard, Vimala – generally associated with Shiva’s consort – is also considered as Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu. Conversely, Tantrics consider Jagannath as Shiva-Bhairava, rather than a form of Vishnu.”

Vimala Temple

The shrine may not be a palatial one, but certainly holds a crucial significance and is revered by Goddess-oriented Shakta and Tantric worshippers.

Festivals

Durga Puja and Vijayadashami are the two main festivals celebrated to revere Goddess Vimala

History of The Temple Complex

The present structure is believed to date back to 9th century, with the central icon dating back to 6th Century CE. Based on the architecture of the temple it seems to build under Eastern Ganga Dynasty. However, there are indications that a shrine would have been situated before the present structure, which somehow got destroyed and it’s the renovated version of the shrine. At some places, like the sculptures, especially the parshvadevatas (attendant deities), as well as the background slab of the central icon, reflect the Somavashi style and may be part of the original temple, on whose ruins the new temple was constructed.

The temple was renovated around 2005 and is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, Bhubaneswar Circle.

Those were the key features and interesting facts of Vimala Temple, situated in Jagannath Temple. Make sure to seek Goddess’s blessings while in holy town of Puri and stay tuned with Hotel Holiday Resort for more such updates of abode of Lord Jagannath.

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Ratha Yatra, also referred as Ratha Jatra or Chariot Festival is the most famous festival celebrated in Puri. It is the oldest Ratha Yatra taking place in India and the World, whose descriptions can be found in Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, and Skanda Purana and Kapila Samhita and takes place annually on Ashadha Shukla Paksha Dwitiya (second day in bright fortnight of Ashadha month.)

The festival commemorates Jagannath‘s annual visit to Gundicha Temple via Mausi Maa Temple (aunt’s home) near Balagandi ChakaPuri. The significance of this annual festival can be known from the preparations that start well in advance as a huge crowd gathers in Puri on this holy day to catch the glimpses of their beloved Lord Jagannath.

Procession

The idols of Lord Jagannath along with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra steps out the temple sanctum and are placed in three richly decorated Rathas. From the main temple they are taken to Gundicha or Mausi Maa temple, where they stay for 9 days, before returning back to Shree Mandira. The whole procession is carried out in a joyful mood with loud music, devotional songs, and chants praising Lord Jagannath. The devotees flock Puri from all over the world to participate in this auspicious festival with earnest desire to pull the chariots of deities and even the hot and humid weather could mar their spirits of rejoicing the annual festivity. Sudarshan Chakra is also part of the procession.

Different kinds of sevaks are employed to offer various services to Lord and his siblings.

rath yatra 2018

The Rathas or Chariots

The chariots used to pull the deities are also considered very auspicious and every year new chariots are carved from wood of specified trees like phassi, dhausa, etc. They are customarily brought from the ex-princely state of Dasapalla by a specialist team of carpenters who have hereditary rights and privileges for the same. The logs are traditionally set afloat as rafts in the river Mahanadi. These are collected near Puri and then transported by road.

The chariots are richly decorated as per the prescribed and followed for centuries stand on the Bada Danda, the Grand Avenue. Covered with bright canopies made of stripes of red cloth and combined with those of black, yellow and blue colours, the huge chariots are lined across the wide avenue in front of the majestic temple close to its eastern entrance, which is also known as the Sinhadwara or the Lion’s Gate.

Lord Jagannath’s chariot is called Nandighosha. It is forty-five feet high and forty-five feet square at the wheel level. It has sixteen wheels, each of seven-foot diameter, and is decked with a cover made of red and yellow cloth. Lord Jagannatha is identified with Krushna, who is also known as Pitambara, the one attired in golden yellow robes and hence the distinguishing yellow stripes on the canopy of this chariot.

The chariot of Lord Balarama, called the Taladhwaja, is the one with the Palm Tree on its flag. It has fourteen wheels, each of seven-foot diameter and is covered with red and blue cloth. Its height is forty-four feet.

The chariot of Subhadra, known as Dwarpadalana, literally “trampler of pride,” is forty-three feet high with twelve wheels, each of seven-foot diameter. This chariot is decked with a covering of red and black cloth – black being traditionally associated with Shakti and the Mother Goddess.

Ratha Yatra 2018

This year, Ratha Yatra is falling on 14th July 2018. If you are interested in attending this grand procession in Puri, then it is advisable to make bookings in advance and collect all the necessary information before-hand so that you do not face any problem later on. As it is a very popular and grand festival, thousands of people travel to Puri. During this time of the year, Puri becomes one of the most crowded places in Odisha. Therefore, we at Hotel Holiday Resort offer the best services to our guests and make all the necessary arrangements for their visit to Puri during Ratha Yatra festival.

Hotel Holiday Resort makes sure that your stay during this time of the year is comfortable and enjoyable too. Contact us for any further query regarding the festival, tour and accommodation facilities and services. We would be happy to welcome you during Ratha Yatra 2018 and cater all your needs on your stay in Puri.

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The perfect combination of sea sand and sun, Puri beach located on the exotic coastline of Odisha, is one of the wonderful destinations for holidaying. This long stretch of beach features splendid sands and choppy waters, making it the ideal choice for surfing enthusiasts. Visitors can take a stroll, browse pearls and seashell souvenirs sold by local vendors or marvel at impressive sand sculptures, including the work of internationally recognized local artist Sudarsan Pattnaik along with many more other sand artists.

Private Beach hotel in Puri

Puri beach is a thrilling place to view romantic sunrises and sunsets. The golden sands and the thunder of the breakers appearing from the Bay of Bengal have mesmerized tourists throughout the years and are the synonyms to the beach. With splendid beach facing hotels and resorts, it has become an ideal location for visitors to spend lovely moments with your family or friends.

The annual 5 day Puri beach festival is held in the month of November every year. Cultural and traditional feasts presented during these days are a treat to watch due to the variety of the programs held. A firework competition is also conducted during this festival.

The usually secluded beach becomes crowded on occasions such as the beach festival as well as on ‘Kartik Purnima’ (the full moon day of the lunar month of Kartik). Hindus consider this day as auspicious and they gather at the beach in the early morning for taking a dip in the sea and pray to Lord Jagannath.

The sunrise and the sunsets, and the local fishermen wearing wide-brimmed cane hats with their catamarans are a welcome sight for the tourists. A ride on their boats is a daredevil experience. Since these fishermen are also good lifeguards, the risk during sail is minimum. Women in their traditional dress line the beach selling shell, wood and bamboo artifacts. Sometimes, amazing sand sculptures made by professional artists can also be seen on the beach. It is pleasant to take a stroll along the beach and to the nearby fishing villages along the coast.

There are restaurants and shacks which offer fresh seafood dishes, and also several beaches facing hotels and guest houses for a stay nearby. Due to the expansion of the surrounding commercial setups, the conservation of the beach is not up to the mark in some areas. But, overall the beach is an ideal place to spend a holiday for its beauty as well as its religious sanctity.

For more such interesting things stay tuned with us www.puriholidayresort.com

People often visit Puri to seek blessings of Lord Jagannatha, visit temples bespeckled all over the city and enjoy beaches. Till now, we have explored all the major tourist places in and around Puri, that make Puri a must visit place. However, today, we are going to explore another uniqueness of Puri city- it’s mouth-watering cuisines.

Odia cuisines are famous for their unique flavours that leave behind a trail of feelings. The explosion of flavours over taste-buds is just idyllic for any food lover. With advancement in time, no doubt one can find an array of dishes in Puri nowadays. Right from continental to Chinese and other Indian traditional food, one has a number of food options to calm his craving taste-buds. However, it is the traditional and local variations of dishes mark a flavoursome tour.

Traditional Odia Cuisines

Traditional Odia Cuisines Facts

  • They are less oily and spicy as compared to other traditional Indian dishes, however still taste great.
  • Rice is staple food
  • Mustard Oil and Desi Ghee are two of mediums widely used to cook dishes. Desi Ghee is preferred in temples and lends unique flavour to the dishes.
  • Odia cooks were once known for their ability to cook in accordance to the recipes mentioned in Hindu scriptures and played a crucial role in popularising Odia cuisines in West Bengal and other parts of India.
  • Many sweets of the region are based on chhena

List of Some Special Dishes and Food

Temple Food

Temple food is basically the Prasad prepared to offer it to the presiding deities.

Out of all prasadas, Jagannath Temple’s temple food is well known and is specifically called Maha Prasad meaning greatest of all prasadas. It consists of 56 recipes, so it is called chhapan bhoga. It is based on the legend that Krishna missed his eight meals for seven days while trying to save a village from a storm holding up the Govardhan hill as a shelter

Fish and Sea Food

Lobsters, prawns, freshwater fish make some of the most enjoyed dishes. They are cooked in different styles and curries and are famous in mainly coastal areas. Rohu, Catla and Ilishi are the famous freshwater fishes used in curries.

Rice Dishes

Pakhala or basi pakahala, Khechidi, Palau are most unique rice dishes that are found in Odia culture. Pakhala is a rice dish made by adding water to cooked rice. It may then be allowed to ferment overnight. This is called basi pakhala. The unfermented version of this is called saja pakhala. It is served with green chillies, onions, yoghurt, badi etc. It is primarily eaten in summer. Palau is a rice dish made from vegetables and raisins. It is the Odia version of pilaf

Dal and Curries

Dalma is a dish made from dal and vegetables. It is generally made from toor dal and contains chopped vegetables like green papaya, unripe banana, eggplant, pumpkin, gourd, etc. It is garnished with turmeric, mustard seeds, and panch phutana. There are several variations of this dish.

Some of the delicious curries are Santula (a dish of finely chopped vegetables which are sauteed with garlic, green chilies, mustard and spices), Chaatu rai ( a dish made from mushrooms and mustard.) , Alu potala rosa ( curry made from potato and parval.), Kadali manja rai: (A curry made from banana plant stem and mustard seeds. Manja refers to the stem which can be used in dalma.) Mahura, Besara:

Pithas or Sweet Cakes

Pithas or sweet cakes are just fabulous in taste. Podo Pitha, Enduri Pitha, Arisa Pitha, Kakara, Chakuli are some of the best known Pithas.

Apart from these, you can taste a lot of mout-watering snacks and desserts that mark the aromatic and tastiest landscape of Odia cuisines.

Try out your some of the best Odia flavours at our restaurants as well as at temple of Lord Jagannath.

Get more details at www.puriholidayresort.com

Puri, the holiest city of India and abode of Lord Jagannath is also among the beautiful cities that have a dynamic coastline. Along with the presence of serene bay with golden hued sand and rolling surf, Jagannatha Puri’s ambience in enhanced by multiple festivals observed round the year. The festivities keep the spirits of the city high, with joyous processions carried out every now and then inside or outside the temple.

Today, we have brought you the list of some major festivals that are observed at Jagannatha Temple. If you are planning to pay a visit to Lord Jagannatha, you can surely plan your visit and enjoy these feasts and fests as well.

Jagannath Temple Puri

 Important Festivals At Shree Temple:

  1. Snana Yatra– It is observed in the month of Jyestha (Hindu calendar). On Purnima of this month, the lord is bathed and decorated every year.
  2. Ratha Yatra or Sri Gundicha Yatra– It is the most significant and popular festival, which is known worldwide. On this occasion, lord along with his siblings come out of temple sanctum and visit the city in his decorated Hence the name is Rath Yatra. It falls in Ashada month of Hindu Calendar, which are usually June-July months. The final destination for the Rath is Gundicha Temple, and the chariot makes way through the Bada Danda area. At this time Puri becomes the centre of attraction all over the world as lakhs and lakhs of devotees come to witness the Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra on their chariots.
  3. Sri Hari Sayan– It is a sleeping ceremony and is observed on the Asadha sukla edadashi (June–July)
  4. Nabakalebara- Naba Kalabera takes place when one lunar month of Ashadha is followed by another lunar month of Aashadha. This can take place in 8, 12 or even 18 years.  The meaning of Nabakalebara is the “New Body” (Nava = New, Kalevar = Body). New idols are installed during this festival and the old ones are buried in the temple premises at Koili Vaikuntha.
  5. Chandan Yatra or Akshay Tritiya– This marks the beginning of construction of chariots for Rath Yatra.

Apart from these popular and major festivals, Utthapan Yatra, Parswa Paribartan, Dakhinayan Yatra, Prarbana Yatra, Pusyavishek, Uttarayan, Dola Yatra, Damanak Chaturdasi are other festivals at Puri.

To know more about Puri and its various aspects, stay tuned with us at www.puriholidayresort.com

Puri is one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in India. It is of high significance as it is one of the Char Dhams and therefore is almost crowded round the year. During the festival of Rath Yatra, which lies in June or July, Puri is flocked by thousands of Tourists from around the world as it the time when it is the most packed city. Lying on the coastal Odisha, Puri experiences hot and humid climate more than any other weather. It is only in winters that temperatures are down and you can easily roam around the city, enjoying the sand and sun perfectly and not getting exhausted because of the scotching heat.

To make you plan your holidays at the best time of the year, we have brought you the weather-chart of Puri which will help you in planning your Puri vacation in the perfect season-

Best Time To Visit Puri

In general July-March is the best time to visit Puri, though Puri can be visited throughout the year, except for peak summers (April-June). Winters (December-February) are a pleasantly cold, but good to enjoy the beach and visiting temples.

Weather in Puri

Puri in Summer (March-May)

Summers are not an ideal time to visit Puri. They are extremely hot and humid. Temperatures range between 19 to 45 degrees Celsius.

Puri in Monsoon (June-September)

Puri in monsoons is characterized by heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. During these months, Puri witnesses thousands of pilgrims for the Rath Yatra.

Puri in Winter (October-February)

Winter months are the ideal time to visit Puri. The famous beach festival takes place in November and is a great event to witness.

General Temperatures Ranges – Monthly Weather in Puri

Month Avg. Minimum (°C) Avg. Maximum (°C)
January 16 29
February 21 33
March 24 34
April 27 37
May 28 38
June 27 36
July 26 32
August 26 32
September 26 31
October 24 32
November 19 30
December 16 29

 

So, now you exactly know when it is the best time to visit Puri. Do not hesitate to make any enquiry regarding accommodation, sightseeing, temple customs etc as Hotel Holiday Resort is right here to welcome you to abode of Jagnnath and make your stay comfortable and memorable. For more details or exciting information, stay tuned with us at www.puriholidayresort.com

Movies have always fascinated our imaginations. And when it comes to a special occasion like wedding, there are so many things which we would like to do in grand style. Thanks to the newest tradition of Destination Wedding, which allow us to fulfil all our filmy wedding dreams. Be it the pre-wedding photo-shoot, during the photo-shoot or post-marriage selfies the venue should be able to provide a perfect background, which must offer romantic plus traditional plus unique style to your wedding.

In India, Rajasthan, Shimla, Goa are few well know destination wedding spots. But as the trend is burgeoning, these places are not only becoming common but also crowded.

However, today we are going to talk about an unconventional spot which has all the elements of a perfect destination wedding- there are beaches as clean as untouched and there is divinity in the air; the cuisines are mouth-watering and a number of sight-seeing spots where you can go ahead with pre-wedding shoots that have not yet been captured- the city of Puri is indeed an incredible place to tie knots and take vows of lifelong love bond.

Why Choose Puri As Your Destination Wedding Spot

Beaches and Coconut Groves – A Beach Wedding is an ultimate idea to create some wonderful memories. Cool sea breeze along with the glistening golden sands, rolling surf and distant voices from the ocean; all elements of nature blends together to create a perfect ambience. In addition, the best part is that the some beaches of Puri are still untouched and in pure form. Except for few main beaches they are not crowded at all. Moreover the Puri-Konark Marine Drive offers a pleasant drive for newly-wedded or to-be couples.

Divine Ambience– Puri is among the char-dhams and one of the holiest places in India. As marriage is auspicious occasion, what could be better than seeking the blessings of Lord Jagannath in his city.

A Unique Odian Themed – Traditional Wedding – If you are someone who wants to get wedded traditional yet in some different style- try the Odia tradition. Surely you would be amused as you dance along with your friends, family and relatives surrounded by traditional decor blended with modernity. Moreover the delicious Odia platters will leave a long-lasting flavour from your wedding.

Last but not the least, the presence of number of beautiful locations in and around Puri will keep your relatives, family and friends in holidaying mood and engaged while the to- be wed couple can enjoy their time amidst the tranquillity of the sea-shores.

The stage is already set and its only you who have to make a move- For more information contact us or surf www.puriholidayresort.com

The internet is full of the most beautiful places to visit in the city of Puri. However, apart from the common and most visited places like Konark, Shree Temple, or Puri Beach, there are some other interesting places which deserve to be on your sightseeing list. These attractions though lesser known but reflect the originality and history of Puri from diverse angles and would enlighten you with some forgotten marvels of Puri as well. So here we begin:

Long Lost Attractions of Puri

Atharanala Bridge Puri

It is a monument of National Importance (N-OR-64) and is situated over the stream Musa at the entrance of Puri city. As per the legends the bridge was to be built by King Indradyumna, but its construction was halted as the lOrd Jagnnath offered the heads of his eighteen sons into the water of the river. It is also believe that of a non-Hindu is cught trespassing into the Jagannath Temple, all the Prasad has to be thrown away from this bridge into the stream. Atharanala Bridge is made of laterite and lime mortar with ashlar masonry building technique, in medieval architectural scheme of pillars and arches. The façade is decorated with reliefs of deities, people, nayikas, genre scenes and floral decorations: Brusaarudha Siva, Ekapada – BhairavaArdhanarisvara, Parvati, Gajabhisekha Laxmi, Durga Mahisasuramardini, bharabahaka, people playing musical instruments, sakha mouldings, Kartika, Navagraha panel, lotus medallions, elephant figures and boar hunting scenes.

Puri Lighthouse

If you are fond of catching beautiful sunsets with panoramic ocean in your view, the lighthouse located on the Puri Marine Drive Road is the best place. You can climb the stairs and watch a marvellous scenery of the Puri city as well. There is an entry fee but is it nominal.

Raghurajpur village

This is the village where you can spot the most exotic, beautiful and incredible chitrakari or art. Pattachitra is one of the most famous art work of this village and one must surely visit it to know about the true traditional culture and art-form of Odisha. The craftsmen still continue to use traditional methods of creating marvellous decorative art work. The village is located amidst the beauty of nature with coconut groves all around and is also the home of Gotipua Dance troupes. It is just at the distance of 14 kms from Puri and makes a wonderful place to visit.

To know more about such interesting places in and around Puri, stay connected with us www.puriholidayresort.com

Puri is renowned for its patachitras, intricate religious paintings on silk and cotton fabric, originally created as wall hangings in the temple of Lord Jagannath. Fringed by the shimmering blue sea and soft golden sand, the colourful temple town itself is like one big patachitra.

Located along the Bay of Bengal coastline, Puri has one of the finest beaches in the country. The casuarina tree-lined beach with its languid waters and huge works of sand art are captivating. The beach is unique in that you can see both the sunrise and sunset from here. Doing nothing by the beachside is as pleasurable an activity here as swimming or surfing in the waters.

Apart from its laidback beaches, Puri is famous for the Jagannath temple. Built in the 12th century AD in the distinctive Kalinga style of architecture, it is the abode of Lord Jagannath, an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. The temple sprawls across 10.7 acres of land, with its spire soaring 65 metres into the sky, visible anywhere in Puri. The grandeur of the temple, its customs, and the reigning deity suffuse all aspects of life in Puri and leave no visitor to the town untouched.

Timeless Sands of Puri

Shopping is one of Puri’s other charms. Vivid ikat and double-ikat textiles, appliqué art lampshades, garden umbrellas, wall hangings, bead and bamboo works, tarkashi or silver filigree objects, palm-leaf inscriptions, or of course, the patachitra, there’s always a bit of Puri you can take home.

FACT FILE

  • Area: 3,051 sq km
  • State: Orissa
  • Distance from nearby towns/ cities: Bhubaneswar (state capital of Orissa, 65 km away); Konark (35 km away)
  • Take away: Pata or patachitra, which are folk-religious paintings on cloth in typical colours of red, black, yellow, white and indigo blue; appliqué work items like wall hangings, etc; ikat sarees and dress materials; Bomkai and Sambalpuri sarees; tarkashi or silver filigree work; kitsch like miniature reproductions of Konark wheels and other handicrafts

Best Time To Visit

The winter months of October to February are the most pleasant time to be in Puri. Or you might want to visit Puri for

  • Rath Yatra – June-July (precise dates change each year)
  • Birds at Chilka Lake – October to March (migratory season)
  • Puri Beach Festival – Early November (check precise dates); it’s an open-air gala of Oriya craft, cuisine, and cultural evenings, with contemporary fashion shows and rock shows as well.

For more such interesting things stay tuned with us www.puriholidayresort.com

If you are wondering that it is only the temples and beaches that can be visited while in Puri, then surely you might not be aware of some other major attractions of the city. Though, undeniably it is the Jagannath Temple and other world-famous temples that make Puri one of the most cherished pilgrimage site, but apart from these worshiping places, Puri certainly there are other eye-catching attractions as well that you may find interesting to uncover.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the hidden jewels of Puri city:

Puri Lighthouse

This is one of the places that will lend a panoramic view of Bay of Bengal along with the enchanted Puri city. It is located on the new marine drive rock. Puri lighthouse may not be one of those dream lighthouses that belong to old age times and have some historical significance but when it comes to getting bird-eye view of Puri city, this is the place which automatically becomes a must-visit. The revolving lighthouse, without doubt should not be missed at any cost. And if you are fond of capturing an unhindered view of beautiful sunsets, then this is the right place. There is a basic entry fee, which is quite affordable and one can reach the top floor via staircase.

Puri Light House

Location- Marine Drive Road, Puri

Narendra Tank

Well, this is not exactly a temple, but is one of the most sought after sacred spots in Puri. It is also one of the largest tanks in Odisha and is believed to be built in 15th century. The massive structure of Narendra tank is mainly known for the Chandana Yatra which is also known as Chandana Pushkarini. During this festival all the big and small deities are taken out of their temples and floated in the pious water of this lake. The deities are applied withy chandana paste and then washed with the sacred water of this tank. This ritual is organized in the Baishak month of Hindu calendar – the month which marks the beginning of scotching summer. Under this ritual Lord Jagannath is escorted to this lake once in a year where he is supposed to have his bath once in the year.

Location- It is located just at distance of 2km from Jagannath Temple

Sudarshan Craft Museum

This craft museum is one of the best attractions in Puri. It was established back in year 1977 and exhibits exemplary craftsmanship through wood sculptures, stone carvings, paintings and other handicraft products. It also has a Japanese-styled Buddhist temple along with a library.

Location – Station Road, Puri

So folks, do not miss out on these amazing hidden gems of Puri, while you enjoy a comfortable stay at Hotel Holiday Resort. For more such interesting places and tales of Puri stay connected with us at www.puriholidayresort.com

India on large is known for being the place where numerous religions, races, languages and traditions co-exist in harmony and peace. And this attribute is perfectly reflected all over India, including Puri. There is no doubt that Puri is majorly a Hindu pilgrimage site, but along with that it attracts people hailing from various religions. It is one of the best places marking the ‘unity in diversity’ and though the Shree Temple and other Hindu Temples are the major attractions, The Buddhist Temple of Puri also makes one of the jewels of the city.

Buddhism has been part of Odisha and its culture from the very beginning of its establishment. The various sites like Udaygiri and Khandagiri, Dhauligiri and others testify the presence of Buddhism in Odisha and its prominence as well. While all these sites signify the position enjoyed by the Buddhism in Odisha from ages, the Buddhist Temple of Puri, situated at Station Road indicate the harmonious amalgamation of two distinct religions as the temple is visited almost by every traveller visiting Puri.

binding hinduism buddhism together

The interesting part to note here is that Lord Jagannath enjoys equivalent position in Buddhism as in Hinduism. Many people might be ignorant about the fact that there are tales of Buddhist origin of Lord Jagannath. This theory relies on the circumstantial evidences. For example, presence of unexamined relic in the Jagannath shrine in Puri, which as per many local legends is believed to contain tooth of Lord Buddha. This theory somewhat matches to theory existing in Vaishnav religion, who believe that shrine has the ashes of Lord Krishna. Preserving skeletal part or relics of dead is a thriving tradition in Buddhism.

Another circumstantial evidence linking the deity to Buddhism is the world famous Rath Yatra, in which we can witness the stupa-like shape of the temple and a dharmachakra-like discus (chakra) at the top of the spire. There are many features of Rath Yatra that are common to Mahayana Buddhism.

Apart from this Buddha is also believed to be among the Dasavataras and Jagannath is identified as Buddha that is the 9th avatar of Vishnu. Gita Govind too has descriptions referring Buddha as one of the 10 avatars of Vishnu.

A more interesting fact regarding the theory lies in Nepal, where Buddha is worshipped as Jagannath.

Well, to what extent these theories and circumstantial evidences can be taken into considerations can be an altogether a different point. But what remains as an undeniable fact is that Puri is the city where all religions thrive together exhibiting the secular colours of India and doors and steps of Shree Temple and Lord Jagannath never discriminated their devotees on the basis of caste, colour, gender or religion, signifying that Lord belong to those who love him.

Being a place of religious significance, Puri attracts a lot of tourists from all over the country and world. However, apart from the abode of lord Jagannath, Puri has been blessed with a neighborhood, which is simply incredible and holds heart-captivating natural beauty and charm. If someone decide to visit Puri, then they must certainly visit the natural marvels present near Puri, to make their pilgrimage complete by getting lapped not just by the divinity but purity and serenity of nature as well.

Located at about 50 km from the pious town of Puri, the “Satpada” town, the coalescence of the Chillka Lake and the Bay of Bengal gives its beholders a spectacle that is an assuagement to their chaos driven eyes and souls.

Satpada Dolphin

The serene purlieu of beryl waters is the home for famous Irrawady Dolphins. One can easily spot the dolphins swimming with the ripples of waves which are quite an amusement to the nature lovers.

Satpada – a home to Dolphins and Winter Migratory Birds

Being sea-swathed Satpada offers great opportunities for activities like kayaking, canoeing and boating. After a two hour boat ride, at about 18 km from this watery wonder lays another spectacular island known as Rajahamsa Islands which is no less than a treasure in itself.  The pearls of islands are just two hours boat ride from Satapada. The island is named after Raja Hamsa. While travelling through the grooves of casuarinas trees, one can locate ramshackle shops. The aroma of freshly netted fish, crabs, shrimps and prawns will arouse the temptation. And at last you would be enticed with most gorgeous and alluring beach. The island of Royal Swan holds the entwining of sand, sun and azure waters.

The winters at Satpada are marked with beauty of exotic bird species for which the Chilika Lagoon is stopover destination of their annual winter migration period.

There are several other places nearby which add to the expedition extravaganza.

Reaching Satapada

The nearest railway station is Puri, and perhaps the best place to stay also for your excursion. Satapada is quite easily accessible from Puri and this also offers an opportunity to explore the nearby areas like Konark, Chilika Lake, Raghurajpur Village and some beautiful beaches near Puri. The Odisha Tourism Development Corporation caters a three hour long tour of the lake along with the Dolphin Motorboat Association which caters for Dolphin sighting and other excursions.

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Puri is one of the majestic places. The serene land is ornamented with gorgeous beaches, rolling surf of Bay of Bengal, and the temples, which make Puri one of the sacred places.

The Shree temple is quite known to the world. With Lord Jagannath adorning the throne of the Shree temples with his siblings, it is one of the most sought after pilgrimage site in India. However, along with this, there is another famous temple- Mausi Maa Temple.

Mausi Maa Temple Puri

It is situated in the midway at Grand Road in Puri, the temple is dedicated to Mausi Maa. The literal meaning of Mausi means ‘Aunt’ (mother’s sister) and ‘Maa’ means mother. This could be stated that it is the temple of Aunt mother of Lord Jagannath.

There is another name for the Goddess Mausi Maa- Ardhasini. According to a tale, she drank half of the seawater to save Puri from drowning in floods. And therefore got the name Ardhasini. According to another belief, Ardhasini along with Kapalmochna Shiva are the day and night guardians of Shree Temple and Puri Town.

Mausi Maa Temple Puri

The temple is closely associated with Rath Yatra or Chariot Festival. Mausima temple is facing towards south and closely associated with the Car festival of Lord Jagannath. As per the rituals of Car Festival, on the day of Bahuda Jatra (return car festival day), the chariots of Balabhadra and Subhadra are pulled directly to the Singha Dwara (Lion’s Gate of Jagannath Temple), whereas the chariot of Jagannath stops in front of Mausima temple for a while. Here, Lord Jagannth accepts his favorite rice cake known as ‘Poda Pitha’ from his aunt.

Other festivals like Mahasaptami, Mahasaptami, Mahanavami are also observed in Ardhasini temple.

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Lord Jagannath is lord of universe. He is the one who created this earth and its various elements and thus no creation lies beyond the boundaries of his mercy and right to pray him. The story of Bhakt Salabega is one of the most famous stories, which proves that no one has the right over God, but the soul with our intention, devotion and faith in the lord. Caste, religion, status; all these are materialistic attributes, which may hold an importance to man, but for the lord of the world these are merely unimportant elements, for he seeks only true love, care and faith.

Salabega’s story, his songs and poems glorifying the miracles of Lord Jagannath are famous all over the place even today. After his death, his body was buried near the temple and is known as Bhakt Salabega Samadhi Peeth. The Peeth is situated at the Grand Road and can be visited by the people when they visit Puri.

Salabega Samadhi Peeth – Grand Road Puri

Bhakt Salabega’s is a famous Odia poet, known for composing and singing some of the finest poems and songs dedicated to Lord Jagannath. Though he belonged to a Muslim family, his devotion towards Lord Jagannath held such a high regard that he is now put in the list of the most celebrated followers of Lord Jagannath.


Great Devotee Salabega Samadhi Peeth
The Great Devotee Salabega’s father was a leading warrior in Mughal army and his name was Lalbega. As per many folktales, while returning from a venture he spotted a beautiful Hindu widow and forcefully married her. Salabega was born to Lalbega and his wife, who was known as Fatima Biwi after getting married to Lalbega. From the very childhood he heard the tales and miracles of Krishna and Jagannath from his mother. All the stories fascinated him very much and he was deeply influenced by Lord Jagannath.

Among various tales that prove Salabega’s devotion and Lord’s love for Salabega, the Rathjatra’s story is a commonly heard tale. Because Salabega belonged to a Muslim family he was denied permission inside the Shree Temple. However, during Rathyatras, he would catch the glimpses of his beloved lord. One it happened that he was out of town during the festival and was about to miss this golden opportunity. He prayed to lord Jagannath to wait for him, as it was the only time of the year that he can have his darshan. Lord Jagannath, who is known to fulfill all the desires of his bhakts fulfilled the desire of Salabega and his chariot did not move an inch, till Salabega reached their to get his darshan.

Many believe that even today the Rath of Lord stops at the spot to wait for his devotees.

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With the chanting of hymns and the fragrance of incensed breeze, drifting from the eastern shores of Bay of Bengal in Odisha one witnesses the land ,entwining temples, beaches, myths and miracles .The  land as sacred the word is ,the mystical land of Lord Jagannath ,Puri.

As the myths and legends affirm it, Puri is considered to be one such interesting destination for all those who want to enrich their travel experiences with the integrants of pilgrimage, scientific exploration and excursion.

Puri holds a significant place in realms of sanctities. The place boasts of renowned temple of Lord Jagannath, The Shree Temple. The temple is famous for its annual ‘Rath Yatra’, the chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra.

The miraculous atmosphere of Puri emanates certain inquisitiveness in minds and souls of those who come to seek blessings and witness one of the surprisingly wonderful brinks of the “Golden Triangle of Odisha”

The Shree Temple unveils a whole world of mysteries which still look forward for some scientific and logical explanations.

  • The flag up on the temple is observed to fly in the opposite direction of the flow of wind. Also following the age old tradition of the temple the priest climbs up the temple dome (which is as high as 45 storey building) to change the flag every day. It is said that if any day goes without fulfillment of this age old tradition, the temple would have to be closed for next 18 years.

  • The main dome of the temple doesn’t cast a shadow, be it any time of day.
  • Nothing flies above the temple, no bird no plane.
  • The Sudarshan Chakra atop the temple, placed miraculously seems to face towards the spectator irrespective of the position of the spectator.

The Sudarshan Chakra- Jagannath Temple

  • The breeze flows from land to sea during the day time and vise versa during the night, which is quite unnatural.
  • Another astonishing fact is about the prasadam cooking technique in which the food in the uppermost pot of the seven pots gets cooked first instead of the last one.
  • At the Singhadwara, the main entrance of the temple one hears rattling of waves while stepping in to the temple while no sound is heard while coming out.

If mysteries tempt you, then Puri is the right place, where every minute phenomenon is striking, unbelievable and incredible.

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Artists are said to have a free soul that gives wings to their imaginations and thus yielding out a creativity that for a common person would be unthinkable and unimaginable. And so is true for artists who pour in their heart in creating the magical sand sculptors.

The first week of December was marked with the beginning of the seventh International Sand Art Festival at Konark’s Chandrabhaga Beach. The golden hued sand and the gushing coastline became more alive and soulful with the presence of some of the best and unique sand art structures. Artists from all over the world participated in this festival and displayed remarkable and nonpareil talent and skill through the various sand models adorning the beach. Such kinds of festivals have introduced sand art to the world in an extremely pleasant manner and make a wonderful medium for exchange of cultural and artistic viewpoints between the nations and artists. On one hand the admirers of sand art are increasing day by day, the artists are making sure that they make most out of these platforms and convey messages via their work.

This is undeniably great that this art-form is being recognized and if talk about India specially than the credit of popularising this art-form goes to Sudarshan Pattnaik (Padma Shree) , who represents India in the sand art domain over the world map. Also the credit is shared by Puri Beach, where Sundarshan Pattnaik and many other upcoming sand artists, play and learn the skill of moulding sand granules into meaningful models.

Puri Beach Sand Art

Orissa’s coast in not just famous for panoramic natural beauty, but also for the marvellous sand art sculptors. With being one of the most intricate and amusing art form, sand art is also the live creations that may be momentary but with their marvellous view captivates the heart of the onlooker, capturing an ever-lasting impression. Puri Beach has been the best locations for sand artists to carve their creativity. With presence of numerous onlookers and admirers, Puri Beach also offers a perfect location for the sand artists to display the seventh old century art form blended with the social, environmental and current issues of this generation.

Sand art is a seventh century art form and only until recent years was famous in the boundaries of Puri in India. However, past few years have seen this art form getting popular among various parts of India and also catching attention world wide as well. It is quite interesting to see that how this art form is catching up with the modern taste and artist modifying the sculptures to create more awareness and grab attention. In addition, the art is now travelling beyond the Odisha boundaries even in non-coastal states and adapting the indoor habitat as well.

The main ingredients used to create this unique art form are water and sand. The sculptor is often assisted with wooden frames with tools like shovels, palette knives, and straws being used to build a sand structure.

Witness this stunning art-form at Puri Beach at Sand Art Museum-

At times the art may be abstract yet it is meaningful, and more often the models convey social, religious, environmental, political and keeping the spirit of sportsmanship high. Even colours are used these days to make sand structures more beautiful.

Social Awareness

Sand art is a great way of conveying social awareness messages as they are able to grab the attention of viewers quickly

Political

Sand-art – Tribute to Dr. Kalam 84th Anniversary

Religious

Sand-artists keep the divine spirit of Puri high with their creations

With each passing day, sand art at Puri is seeing new horizons and touching the hearts of people all around the world with its uniqueness, simplicity, and vividness.

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The spots located in and around Puri are really worth visiting. But not always we want to just visit the spots. At times our wanderer heart craves for a more intimate and aesthetic experience of nature. And Puri Konark Marine Drive lends that beautiful encounter with sea on one side and coastal forests on the other. In between there runs a smooth road with almost zero traffic – a perfect view for an awesome long drive.

Puri Konark Marine Drive

You can never believe that even a road be such a beauty and among the top attraction of a city, until you enjoy a drive at this stretch. But here it is- Puri Konark Marine Drive Road that mesmerises every single heart passing through.

The charismatic beach line of Chandrabhaga Beach running parallel to the coastal forests is one of the best attractions near Puri. The 35 kilometres drive makes one of the best marine drives of India, transcending you completely in the lap of nature and offering some pristine views of the gushing sea. This marine drive road is adorned with casuarinas, making it more blissful and idyllic. It is calm, soothing and not at all crowded. The road is also quite smooth and well built, making the journey easy and swift.

Attractions Lying In Between

Wildlife Attractions

The casuarinas treasure is also home to a number of wildlife species. Balukhand Konark Wildlife Sanctuary is spread in 72 km2 in between of Konark and Puri. One can spot a blackbuck in the grooves and the sandy beaches are home to olive ridley sea turtles nests. Along with casuarinas that were introduced in the region, cashew plantation also adorns the area. The native flora is also adds to the beauty.

Picnic Spots

  • The Puri Konark Marine Drive is bespeckled with a number of picnic spots, and temples. Ramachandi Temple and Picnic Spot is one of the most famous spot to enjoy some water sports.
  • Boating at dawn is worth giving a shot. But you will have to pre-book your ride with the boat boys one day in advance.
  • Another panoramic view to behold is the confluence of river and sea, offering a breath-taking view. Pair your timing with sunset or sunrise and you will have the most memorable time of your life.
  • Gupteshwar Temple and Panch Mukhi Hanuman Temple are also famous among the pilgrimage sites.

Puri Konark Marine Drive is undeniably a treat to the soul and heart. However, it is advisable to be there at wee hours due to security reasons. Otherwise there could be no more beautiful drive in Odisha than Puri-Konark Marine Drive.

 

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Situated at the Bay of Bengal, Puri is divine city with many attractions lying within its borders. Apart from the famous Jagannath Mandir, there are number of other pilgrimage sites. However, it is not just the divinity of the city that makes the most attractive spots. The coast of Puri is dotted with a number of pristine beaches, making an ideal spot to feel the breeze from the sea. The lively shoreline, unspoilt beauty, and fragrance of sea- all elements make a perfect spot to spend some calm and peaceful moments and feel the blissful ambience.

Although the city has approx 150.4 Kilometres of coast line, there are a few beaches that mark an everlasting impression with incredible view of Bay of Bengal in its most alluring form. Below given is the list of 4 Best Beaches in Puri, which hold captivating beauty and attract travellers from around the world.

Balighai Beach

If your wanderer heart is looking for something extraordinarily enchanting, then Balighai Beach is your spot. Located at a distance of 8 kilometres from main city Puri, Balighai Beach is relatively undiscovered and thus unflawed, and a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Water skiing, parasailing, boat rides are few of the best of activities that can be enjoyed at the beachfront of river Nuanai. It is also of the best place to witness Olive Ridley turtle nesting during the months of December and January. Balihirana Deer Sanctuary is another great attraction at Balighai Beach, where a number of endangered Balihirana antelopes and Indian Black Bucks can be spotted.

Balighai Beach- A Hidden Gem Near Puri

The white sands, blue currents and green casuarinas encircling this marvel make this beach, one of the best places to enjoy with friends and family.

Puri Beach

World Famous Sand Art At Puri Beach

The marvellous beach hosts Puri Beach Festival every year. The gushing coastline makes it perfect spot for surfing enthusiasts. And those who wish to admire the view from distance can take a lovely beach walk and get soaked in the sancity of holy city. The local vendors selling the sea shells and pearls also enhance the charm of this beach. The pearls and shells of different sizes and shades make great keepsakes. Also the intricately beautiful sand art sculptures add to the beauty of Puri Beach.

Swargdwar Beach

Swargdwar means “Door to Heaven”, and without doubt this pristine beach transcends you in bliss the moment you witness this glistening beach. The beach’s religious significance can be accounted from folklore. As per the tale, the beach was a bathing place to Shri Chaitanya Dev and his devotees. For his devotion and purity, it is believed that Shri Chaitanya Dev merged into Brahma and the medium were the sand steps of this holy beach. With a faith and belief that bathing in the godliness waters may again open the doors to Swarg, many Hindu devotees dip in the oceanic currents and offer prayers at this sacred beach.

Swargdwar Beach- A picture-perfect spot

Along with divinity, this beach offers some remarkable views of the nature along with activities like camel rides, photo-shoots, etc. Do not forget to taste the “chai” and other mouth-watering snacks sold by the locals at the beach.

Golden Beach

The Majestic Views at Golden Beach

Who does not love warm golden sands and Golden Beach got its name because of the golden hues of the sand, making this beach an incredibly beautiful spots. The beach is famous for its idyllic dawn and dusk views. The ever-changing scenery exhibiting different shades in the skies is just a sight to behold. As the beach is one of the most flocked beaches, various signboards keep on reminding the visitors to keep the beach tidy and clean, preserving its natural beauty and flawlessness. The dynamic coastline with strong underwater currents and high tides instantly grab the attention of adventure seekers. However, one needs to be cautious of these playful waves.

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If you are fond of architectural marvels, then Puri is the right destination for you to visit. The Odisha state, which was once part of Kalingan Dynasty, has a dotting line of paragons exhibiting the marvellous Kalinga architecture, many of which lie in the Golden Triangle- that is the three adjacent cities of Odisha state- Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark. The capital city Bubaneswar is famous as Temple City as there are number of temples built in Kalingan architectural format. While your stay in Puri can make you feel the serenity with its pristine coastline, you can easily access the major sites famous for exhibiting the kalingan architectural format.

The Styles of Temples

For kalingan architecture there are three different types of styles for temples that comprise the whole area of a building or structure-

  • Rekha Deula
  • Pidha Deula
  • Khakhara Deula

 

Kalinga Architecture- Three distinct temple styles

The Rekha Deula and Pidha Deula is believed to be related to Vishnu, Surya and Shiva; Khakhara Deula is associated with Chamunda and Durga, the female deities of Hindu religion. Rekha and Khakhara Deula are the main sanctums for offering the prayers, while Pidha Deula constitute the dancing halls and place for other offerings.

The Beauty and Grandeur

The kalingan architecture infuses a life into stones. With richly and exquisitely carved structures, this format displays a nonpareil grandeur. Each inch is so beautifully carved with distinct images and sculptures that almost instil life and soul in the rocks.

There are number of examples in and around Puri that display the best of Kalinga Architecture

Konark Sun Temple

Konark Sun Temple

Sun Temple at Konark is one of the finest examples of Kalinga Architecture. Even after collapsing, it has a attraction that lures travellers from near and far. Built in typical Kalingan style, this temple is richly carved and sculpted. Each corner and stone of the temple displays the fineness of craftsmanship. This undeniably is the best location to admire and understand Kalinga Architecture.

Jagannath Puri Temple

Another great example is set by Jagannath Puri Temple. Following the pattern as per the culture, this temple has a main tower rising above the inner sanctum. It is here the main deities of the temple reside. This is the largest temple in the region comprised of many structures, including a mammoth kitchen.

Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar

Belonging to the 12th century, the deula here is almost 150 feet. Built with sandstone and laterite, Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar marks the quintessence of Kalinga Architecture. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is placed in high-respect among the local people.

 

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At just 7 km drive from Konark Temple, there is another beautiful and serene spot- Ramachandi Beach. This is one of the unspoilt, untouched and peaceful beaches nearby Puri with silvery sands, and the waves are not much turbulent. If you are looking for a beach, which offers a perfect ambience to get soaked in sand and sun, and unwind yourself, then Ramachandi Beach is an ideal spot. The beach is not much sloppy and thus makes a perfect place to enjoy the waters of Bay of Bengal. The confluence of Kusabhadra and Bay of Bengal is a sight to behold and fall in love with.

A Perfect Picnic Spot- Ramachandi Beach

The Incredible Sunsets and Sunrises at Ramachandi Beach

A panoramic sight offered by this spot is the incredible dawn and dusk. The sunrises are so pristine that one is hardly able to forget the morning spent witnessing the sunrise over Bay of Bengal. And when did you last see the rising moon, accompanied by its millions of companions twinkling bright to illuminate the night!

What an uncommon phenomenon it was for us back in our childhood when we could see sun and moon together, either at dawn or dusk. For us it was like two passerbies waving each other a good bye as of now before they again meet the next time.

It had been a long time we witnessed this site. However, to relive those innocent times spend a quiet evening or a refreshing dawn at Ramachandi Beach, as every other sunset or sunrise is marked by the presence of the silvery moon peeping out of the sky as the sun retires.

The Sunrise-

It is like an awakening- as if, along with the sun, you also get infused with a positive energy. At Ramachandi Beach, the unflawed atmosphere is perfect for rejuvenating the whole body and mind.

The Sunsets-

The timeless beauty of nature switches its mode and as the moon rises, sun makes it way to bed. The sunsets are as alluring as the sunrises and you find yourself floating with the time among the gushing high tides.

Ramachandi- The Presiding Goddess

Temple of Goddess Ramachandi adorns the Ramachandi Beach. Some believe that it is the temple of Sun God, Maya Devi and for others it the temple of most benevolent Chandi.


Goddess Ramachandi –The month of Ashwin (7th Month of lunar Hindu calendar) sees the a num of devotees offering special prayers to the goddess

 Although the temple is believed to be older than Konark Temple, but before the construction of Konark Marine Drive, this spot was hardly accessible as it was hidden amidst think Casuarinas groves. It was only the locals who used to visit this place for worshipping the goddess. However, now the spot attracts a lot of people and is one of the best day-out destinations near Puri.

The Kalapahad Tale

Just like other temples, the Ramachandi Temple too has mythological legend of which the negative protagonist is Kalapahad. As per the tales, Kalapahad was a rebel Hindu Brahmin Rajiv Lochan Ray or Kalachand Roy Bhadury, who converted to Islam. As per many odia tales, it was Kalapahad who is responsible for the collapse of Konark temple as he removed the magnet from the top. Later on when he approached Ramachandi Temple, Goddess Ramachandi herself came to stop him and dressed as Maluni (a maid servant). As Maluni, she offered to have some water and wait at the doors. Kalapahad waited anxiously for long time but when Maluni did not return, he entered the temple only to find it empty.

He reached Kusabhadra River, where he found goddess floating on the waters. He had to return empty handed.  Later on, the deity appeared in the dreams of priest who built a temple for her, which stands as Ramachandi Temple.

The place can be easily visited and you can enjoy a very pleasing time at Ramachandi Beach.

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Singing flocks swaying together

Breaking the silence of brackish water

O, did you hear that pulsating sound?

Ah! I guess dolphins too are here around

Memories, stories, and bond to make

Nature is all yours here, Welcome To Chilika Lake!

Though these words almost describe the serenity you would find at the Chilika Lake, but beauty of nature glows more when experienced. And when you visit it, you will be just speechless. The largest brackish water lagoon lake of Asia, Chilika Lake located on the beachfront of Bay of Bengal on Odisha offers idyllic and panoramic scenery especially for birdwatchers. It will not be wrong to say that it is a paradise for birders. Chilika Lake is winter stop-over of the migratory birds and thus during the season, many exotic and beautiful bird species can be spotted here. The combination comprising the landscape of the region is simply a gorgeous with chirping of birds, aquatic serenity studded with tiny islands and overlooking hills. The sunrises and sunsets enhance the beauty of the arena and make it one of the most beautiful spots in Odisha. If you have plans of discovering the real Odisha, then this spot must be there in your bucket list.

Chilika Lake – The Winter Stop-Over Spot of Migratory Birds

The water body is spread over Puri, Khurda and Ganjam District, covering almost 1,100 km2 of area. So, when you are there in Puri, you can easily visit Chilika Lake. As the area is a major eco-tourism spot, it is well connected to major cities nearby and various tour operators work in the region offering affordable transportation to the major spots at Chilika Lake.

Top Attractions at Chilika Lake

Chilika Lake is one of the largest eco-system, supporting exotic flora and fauna. This makes the place perfect for enjoying a variety of wildlife along with beautiful scenic islands and locations.

  • Dolphin Point– Who does not love dolphins. They are the most wonderful creatures and friendly too, overloaded with cuteness. At Chilika Lake you can catch glimpses of these cute creatures. The endangered Irrawady Dolphins, which are spotted at only 2 Lagoons in the world, can also be spotted here along with the bottle-nosed dolphins.

 


Bottle-Nose Dolphins Just Under the Nose!

  • Satpada– At this spot, witness the confluence of Bay of Bengal and Chilika Lake. The panoramic is one of the best sights to behold. Dolphin Point is very near to Satapada and boating activity is offered by the Dolphin Motor Boat Association.
  • Nirmaljhara Island– one of the major picnic spot amidst the brackish water lagoon, Nirmaljhara has mythological significance as it is believed to be connected to Lord Vishnu. A stream flows out of the image of Lord Vishnu which is known as Nirmaljahara.
  • Sankunda Island– Shankh or Breakfast Island- these are the nicknames given to Sankunda Island. Rich floral species can be found at this spot.
  • Bird Island– It is a major spot which is visited by thousands of bird species and thus is an important hub for bird watchers. Rare herbs, trees, creepers, and shrubs comprise the bio-diversity of Bird Island and white granite rocks are among the special attractions.

Apart from these Tara Tarini Temple, Mangalajodi, and Kali Jai Temple are other popular attractions.

Interesting Stories of Chilika

Today Chilika is recognized as a major wetland area and in 1981 was designated as Ramsar Site for better protection. But just like any other spot, Chilika too has its tales. Some ancient text mark Chilika as one of the major harbour for International trading. It is believed that once it was a deep, open bay and sheltered trading ships. Also there are stories of a pirate king Raktabahu, who is said to have crosses seas to conquer the holy place Puri, but was left misguided by magnificent waters of Chilika Lake.

Chilika has evolved with time and is now a part that makes Odisha, incredible Odisha.

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They say that a poet or a writer has the ability to smith the words for feelings that arise on witnessing something extraordinary and when the great Rabindranath Tagore said

“Here the language of stone surpasses the language of human.”

to describe the beauty and marvel of Konark Temple, he very accurately and exactly elucidated the feelings of the viewers who find it difficult to pour appreciation for this structural marvel for they are not just amused but also are at loss of words.

Konark undeniably narrates the story its brilliant and highly skilled architects through the elaborative stone carvings. Believed to be built in 1255 CE by Narasimhadeva 1 of Eastern Ganga Dynasty, on the banks of vanished Chandrabhaga river, this allure made out of Khondalite Rocks is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with listing under Seven Wonders Of India multiple times.

Konark- Demystifying the Name

Konark holds its etymology in the combination of two Sanskrit words- KONA, which means corner and ARK, which means Surya, the Sun God. Thus the name signifies that the temple is dedicated to Sun God.

Konark is also known as Ark Khetra, again a name depicting a bond with Surya.

Another name for Konark is Black Pagoda. The name was given by Portuguese because the temple is made out of black stones. On the contrary, the Jagannath Temple is known as White Pagoda. Both these structures were used as landmarks by the sailors.

The Architectural Marvel

Though many would assume that just like other temples in Puri, Konark is also famous because of being a religious place. However, it is not. Prayers and worshipping is prohibited in the sanctum and more than being a temple dedicated to Surya, it is the nonpareil architecture, beautiful carvings and engravings on the stones that make Konark artistry grandeur, reflecting   charm and grace even after being half deteriorated and in ruins and thus a must visit spot when you are there in Puri.

Konark Sun Temple

The sculptural work adorning the site, roaring of the sea waves at the adjacent Chandrabhaga Beach, the lush greenery spread around and cool sea breeze, come together to enhance the splendour of Konark, leaving the onlookers mesmerized.

Even after being so majestic and palatial, there is not just even a small or mole space that remains untouched of the any engraving or the carvings.

The Figures, Engravings & Carvings and Structure of Konark

Chariot Formation

Surya or Sun God in Hindu mythology owns a chariot, which is driven by Aruna. And accordingly the structure of Konark is designed. The whole formation is thus in a form of a chariot- with 12 pairs of intricately carved wheels and pulled by set of 7 horses. Following the principle and traditional Kalinga architecture format, it is carefully oriented in a manner that the first rays of the sun strike the principal entrance.

Structures

The main sanctum, which is the Vimana, of the temple fell, and now, one can see only few of its parts remaining. The second is the audience hall or Jagamohana that can be spotted right before the vimana. Nata Mandir, and Bhog Mandapa are structures completing the present day Konark.

Nata Mandir and Konark in the Background

There are rubbles of temples at the back of the main structure, believed to be of one of the wives of Surya- Mayadevi.

Important Images and Sculptures

The three giant figures of Surya are significant images among so many intricate and erotic carvings and engravings that depict various day to day routine activities, the lifestyles and the beliefs of the then era. These three figures symbolise the origin of Surya as-

  • Pravhata SuryaMorning Sun identified as Creator Brahma
  • Madhyanha SuryaMid day Sun identified as Destroyer Shiva
  • Astachala SuryaEvening Sun identified as preserver Vishnu

Apart from these three giant figures, the elephant, horse and man sculpture at the entrance are relevant constructions.

Sun Dial

The wheels of the chariots are also an important structure as they function as Sun Dials and are capable of judging the right time depending upon the positipn of the sun.

The Folklores

There are many accounts and tales related to Konark. The local legends have been popularised by the guides and the localities and thus are quite known.

One of the local saga states that worshipping at the temple is prohibited because the site is cursed. It is said that for its development, the king put a constrain that the workforce has to be 1200 artisans only and the time period for its completion has to be 12 years only- nor a person more or less neither a day more or less. The hardworking and talented artisans appointed for building almost finished all the work in the given time frame, but the only thing that remained was to find a way of placing the crown stone on its place permanently, for which king gave extra 3 days. But the work was to be finished otherwise all artisans will have to face death penalty.  At this time, Dharmapada, son of the chief architect Bisu Maharana came to meet his father and came to know about the issue. He then proposed a way out and placed a strong magnetic rod on the top that would hold the complete structure as well as the crown stone. Though the matter was solved, the artisans were now in fear that if the king would come to know that a 12 year old boy achieved what his best artisans could not, he would be incensed and may pass another death penalty, and thus wanted to kill Dhramapada so that king would not come to know about their failure and his achievement. On learning this Dharmapada himself jumped into Chandrabhaga River and sacrificed his life to save another 1200. And thus the temple became impure, even though the king and artisans were regretful.

The magnet that was placed on the dome was removed during Indian Colonization era as it affected the navigation compass o the sailors, thus the main sanctum or the Vimana collapsed.

 

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Puri, more popularly known as Jagannath Puri finds its identity as a holy destination. No doubt that Lord Jagannath is the central attraction of the town, but Puri is more than a temple city. The culture, the traditional art forms, and the craftsmanship that is not just unique but also world-class are also the pillars that support the existence and identity of the land. Though somewhere or the other, religion has taken an upper hand in marking Puri over the world-map, but sidelining these highly intricate, marvellous and mesmerising art-forms would be an unjustified act towards those who put in their soul and pour out their emotions in creating tradition and carrying their legacy with full dedication and responsibility. They are the artisans from Raghurajpur- a place situated among the serenity of mango, coconut, and palm groves, nurturing the craftsmen who make Indian and Odisha proud for its tradition.

When you are there in Puri, make sure you visit the real talent hub- Raghurajpur.

Location and Speciality

Raghurajpur is a village located in the district of Puri (just 14kms of easy drive) and is known as first heritage crafts village of Odisha. The Pattachitra – an art form dating back to 5 BC is what makes this village special.

Wall arts, patta paintings, palm-leaf paintings, tusser and silk paintings, paintings on coconut shells, and stone carvings are the types of art-forms that are created by the expert artisans of this village. You can buy these paintings to give altogether different, traditional yet modern interiors to your home. The art form has been a legacy, carried by generations and passed on as hereditary treasure.

Welcome To Raghurajpur

This board welcomes you in the village and as it reads the board in itself describes the village atmosphere a lot. As soon as you enter the village you would feel being transcended to some art studio, with every home displaying the talent on their walls and you are surrounded by talent all around you.

The village has 120 houses decorated with mural paintings. The artisans also hold the distinction of being the only place for traditional decoration of Patas used in thrones of Lord Jagannath and on the chariots during Rath Yatra.

The Pattachitra

Patta means cloth and chitra means picture- the art form thus derives its name from the material used to do the paintings that is the cloth.  The cloth or canvas is prepared through a special technique using chalk and gum made from tamarind seeds. The colours used are all natural and are made from vegetables, minerals and at times from sea-shells as well. The art-form includes intricate images like motifs, mythological characters, designs that tell the tales or sagas of ancient India.

What is more surprising and amusing is that the art form has survived and thrived from 5BC and the Chitrakars (painters) still continue to do Pattachitra in its original form using the traditional methods.

Vaishnav and Jagannath paintings are basically the two most widely painted themes, followed by Bhagwat and Ramayana Paintings. Even specific colours are used to depict certain characters from different yugs or ages.

The Tala Pattachitra is another form where palm-leaf is used as canvas.

Let’s take a look at the various art forms practised in the village-

Palm Leaf Painting- Tala Pattachita

Painting on Coconuts

Pattachitra – Most of these paintings are influenced by Jagannath or Vaishnav Culture

Wall Painting-In Raghurajpur, each house has been painted with special wall paintings

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“Prasad” or the food offerings made to god hold a very significant place in Hindu religion. Having Prasad with full devotion is almost equivalent to worshipping the almighty with all respect and reverence, as it is the food that has been taken and blessed by the deity. It is believed that any puja or prayer ritual is incomplete without bhog or prasad.

Puri- Where Lord Jagannath Dines

Almost every temple big or small offers bhog to the devotees; however the importance of Mahaprasad of Jagannath is altogether different and holds special prominence.  Why?

Because Puri is one of those Char Dhams that are very special to Lord Vishnu and it is this place where he dines daily. There goes a belief that Lord Vishnu observes his daily routine at four places- He bathes at Rameswaram, meditates at Badrinath, dines at Jagannath Puri, and retires at Dwarka.

So now it’s quite obvious that why the Mahaprasad, which is also known as ‘Anna Brahma’, of Puri holds special prominence. With the belief that it is this place where Lord Vishnu comes to dine, the food offerings become more respectable and important.

Also the Skanda Purana states that-

 “Lord Jagannath redeems the devotees by permitting them to partake his Mahaprasad, to have His darshan and to worship him by observing rituals and by offering of gifts.”

The Mahaprasad

Mahaprasad is of two types- Sankundi and Sukhila.

The Sankundi comprises of 56 types of dishes, including various types of dals, rice, saaga bhaja. Khatta, porridge etc and are prepared every day. Sukhila is generally sweetmeats. The Prasad is offered to Lord Jagannath first and then to Goddess Vimala, and then attains the position of Mahaprasad.

The Mahaprasad is available in Ananda Bazaar. Apart from the 21 days preceding the Rath Yatra, Mahaprasad is never ceased.

The temple kitchen prepares Mahaprasad for lakhs of devotees daily. The food is prepared in earthen pots using firewood. The Mahaprasad is offered to every devotee, irrespective of caste.

Nirmalya is another type of Prasad available at Puri, which is also known as Kaibalya.

Daily Offerings

There are 6 time slots of the day, when Lord Jagannath is served.  The local names for daily offerings are Dhupa (when offered through Sodasa) and Upchars and Bhoga (when offerd by pancha upcharas). They include-

  1. Gopala Vallabha Bhoga
  2. Sakala Dhupa
  3. Bhoga mandapa bhoga
  4. The Madhyanha dhupa
  5. Sandhya Dhupa
  6. Bada Simhara Bhoga

The Legend

The tale of Mahaprasad becoming “Mahaprasad” is also quite interesting like the other takes of Jagannath Puri.

According to one legend when Lord Rama returned after defeating Ravana, he questioned Laxaman that what happened to the food packets he gave to Laxman during the ban-baas, because it was possible for him to kill Indrajeet (Ravana’s son), only if he had not eaten and slept for 14 years. Laxman then told him that he hid and preserved those food packets in a tree in Panchbati. Lord Ram ordered Hanuman to bring those food packets. Hanuman was bit reluctant as he thought that task was a small job for him but followed the orders of his prabhu. But because of his ego, he could not move that food packets and returned to Lord Ram stating his inability to complete the given task. At last, Laxman himself fetched those food packets. The food was still intact and in condition to be consumed. However, 7 packets were missing and Laxman informed about the 7 seven occasions when he was not offered any food and thus 7 packets were missing. Everyone present there praised Laxman for such a supreme sacrifice.

It was Lord Ram, who praised Urmila, Laxman’s wife and said that it was her, in actual sense, who has made the supreme sacrifice and patiently waited for her husband to return. In return he ordered the creation 4th throne for Urmila along with his, Laxman’s and Sita’s throne, but Urmila declined the gift in very humble manner and asked for opportunity to serve Lord Ram.

Lord Ram was immensely pleased and granted her a boon, for which she asked that she did not desire to be worshipped in future or to be seated on any throne, but would like to bean incense stick that will offer fragrance to you and be at your feet for the ages. Lord Ram granted her wishes by giving opportunity that when in Kal Yug he will reside at Jagannath Puri and Laxman will be his elder brother, she will spread fragrance and flavour as Mahaprasad.

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India is a land of rich heritage. Its ancient culture has continued to thrive over the course of time and the credit goes to the literary works like Vedas, Upanishads, holy books like Ramayana and Shree Bhagvad Geeta and of course innumerable mythological stories and legends that not just throw light on the history of ancient India but have also built strong foundation of faith and religion in the due time.

If we talk about stories then there are thousands and thousands of long and short stories, with various versions that entertain and impart knowledge. These legends very interestingly share the tales from the past and enlighten. However, out of so many, there is the legend of Lord Jagannath, who resides at Puri, a city in Odhisa state of India is more popularly known as “Jagannath Puri” or “Jagannath Dham”, which is really fascinating. Puri is one of the most prominent “Char Dhams” that find special significance in Hindu religion.

Meaning and Significance of Name “Jagannath” In Different Religions and Cultures

The literal meaning of “Jagannath” is “Lord of Universe”. The word “Jagannath” is made up of two words “jagat” and “nath” that eventually lead to “Jagannath”. Though he is identified more in Hinduism, but Buddhism and Jainism are two other religions wherein he is worshipped and finds religious significance. Over the years, Lord Jagannath and his rigmaroles have played a crucial role in shaping the way of life in the region.

Connections to Buddhism are predicted on the basis of an unexamined relic in Jagannath shrine in Puri that is believed to contain “tooth of Buddha”, and also because the temple is said to never had any caste barriers for the followers, which is a prominent feature of Buddhism Culture.  In addition, there have been literary works too that lend support to Buddhism connection like Gita Govind in which he is said to be one of the Dasavathars and in Jnanasidhi where ancient Buddhist king describes him as a Buddhist deity.

Under Jainism culture, attempts have been made to connect the thread with Jagannath with different circumstantial evidences, however unlink Buddhism any strong bond is yet to come to spotlight. There have been assumptions that on the basis of few findings like discovery of Jaina images at Khandagiri and Udaygiri, considering the 23 steps of the main temple known as Baisi Pahacha, a symbolic reference to the 22 of 24 Tirthankaras and few others.

The Lord Jagannath Saga Under Hinduism

Lord Jagannath enjoys more importance in Hinduism than any other religion. He finds mention in Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana, in which he is believed to be created during the reign of king Indradyumna who ruled Ujjain.

As per the legends, when Lord Krishna met his illusionary death, his mortal remains were left to decay, where they were collected by some unknown men. It was himself Lord Vishnu who informed king Indradyumna about the remains and directed him to create a statue from a wooden log and preserve the mortal remains in the belly of the statue. King Indradyumna appointed Vishwakarma as the chief creator of the statue. But Vishwakarma had a condition. He demanded to be left alone to carve the statue from a wooden log which washed ashore at Puri. But the king could not hold his eagerness and visited the place where Vishwakarma was working. When Vishwakarma came to know about his visit, he felt that his condition has not been fulfilled and left the statue unfinished, without hands and feet, which can be seen till date, even after the idols are replaced after certain time. It was Brahma who came to rescue king Indradyumna and promised him that the statues will be worshipped in the same state and will hold special significance.

Apart from this text, mentions of Jagannath have been found in Ramayana and Mahabharata and there are few tribal versions too that have different accounts for Lord Jagannath.

The Kanchi Conquest is another famous tale related to Lord Jagannath, which we will soon share in some other post. Stay connected for more such fascinating mythological information, facts, and culture of Puri and its deities.

 

The JagannathPuri temple is famous worldwide and is one of the significant pilgrimage destinations. Located in Odhisa, India, the city Puri attracts lot of devotees round the year. The main deity is Lord Jagannath and is present in the city temple with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. JagannathPuri is one of the CharDhams and the annual “RathYatra” is the biggest festival celebrated in Puri.

Apart from being a pilgrim site, the Jagannath Temple is also an architectural masterpiece. Majestic and grand, the temple’s architecture is reflection of the skill and talent of the then builders and creators. The temple’s structure also unfolds a lot of aspects from the history.

The Architecture and Construction of Jagganath Temple, Puri

The temple is believed to be constructed in the era of Anangabhimadeva, who is also identified as Anangabhima III, from the Ganga Dynasty. The temple chronicle of Puri states that Anangabhimaproposed the construction of a temple, which was to be of 100 cubits in height and followed SrivatsaKhandasala architectural type. However it is believed that on the advice of royal priests, the height was reduced to 90 cubits. And today we see the magnificent structure standing as same as it was built at that time.

The Structure of The Temple

The main temple is comprised of 4 structures

  1. Vimana or BadaDeula Sanctum– it is constructed over Pancharatha (five pagas or segments) in a curvilinear spire known as Rekha order. The five pagas have their specific names which are- Raha (the middle one), Anuraha (the two flanking pagas) and Kanika (the two corners).
  2. The Jagmohan or Mukhshala (the porch)
  3. The Natamandir (audience hall)
  4. The Bhogamandap (hall for residuary offerings)

All the four structures are built in axial alignment in east-west direction. The major portion of the temple is underground and only three moldings are visible that are intricately carved. The Puri temple structure shows the full-fledged Odishan templewith fourvertical divisions that are Pitha(pedestal), the Bada (wall), the Gandi (trunk) and the Mastaka (the head).

The Bada is Panchanga Type and consist of five elements-

  • Pabaga(foot)
  • Lower Jangha(shin)
  • Bandhana(bond)
  • Upper Jangha
  • Baranda

The Mastakaconsists of

  • Beki (neck)
  • Amalaka( an Indian fruit )
  • Khapuri (skull)
  • Kalasa
  • Ayudha (weapon)

Similarly each structure has unique name that signifies it purpose, function or program. All structures together offer gigantic look to the temple. The above mentioned structures are the most important elements in the temple. The temple has so many unique and symbolic carvings on the outer walls that decorate it and possess some meaning too. Overall to understand the architectural significance of the temple one must have to attain the knowledge of Indian temple architectures that were built in different dynastic eras as each dynasty followed its own format. Though Jagganath Temple architecture is very complicated to understand, the marvelous view of the temple is enough to tell the excellent skill that ancient India possessed.

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