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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
