Puri

Attain spiritual bliss in an exhilarating beach destination in Puri. The diverse places to visit in Puri keep you engaged throughout your stay. Located in the state of Odisha, Puri is an ancient temple town. The holy city is situated on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. It has always been popular with devotees and vacationers. The whole city has a warm inviting atmosphere and a relaxed vibe. People visit Puri to worship in its various temples, admire the architecture and frolic on the Puri beach. Another big draw for this city is the delectable Puri food and sweets. Places to visit in Puri include zones that offer adventures, water sports and relaxation.

Puri Overview

When to Visit Puri?

Due to the tropical climate, Puri weather is humid all-round the year. Summer heat, from March to June makes it uncomfortable to explore the places to visit in Puri. Puri temperature hovers around 36 degrees and can go up to 40 degrees. The monsoon months of July, August and September see very heavy rainfall. This is also the season for the Rath Yatra festival. The end of the monsoons welcomes the Durga Puja festival. Winter is the best time to visit Puri. The atmosphere is cold and breezy and Puri temperature at this time ranges between 17-28 degrees.

How to Reach Puri?

Places to visit in Puri are very well connected by road within the city. The city of Puri is also easily accessible by road and railways. Puri doesnt have its own airport and the nearest airport is 53 km away at Bhubaneshwar. You can get buses and cars from here. Puri is an important railway junction on the East Coast Railways. Passenger trains, express trains and superfast trains serve this station. The city enjoys regular bus services from various cities that can take you to the places to visit in Puri. Long-distance buses have facilities such as seater, sleeper, AC and many more. Select your mode of transport after zeroing in on the best time to visit Puri.

What are the Things to See & do in Puri?

Places to visit in Puri mainly revolve around temples and beaches. Besides the Jagannath Temple and Sakshigopal Temple, there are the Lakshmi Temple, Lokanath Temple, Markandeshwar Temple, Mausima Temple and many more. You can adjust the time to pray and worship in the temples and attend aarti ceremonies. Enjoy yourself at Swargadwar beach, Puri beach, Astaranga beach and Baliharachandi beach. Long walks, horse/camel rides and swimming are popular activities on the beaches. Gorge on lip-smacking food seafood, vegetarian and sweets. Go shopping. Explore the handicraft town of Pipli or pick handloom materials from crowded markets. You can even arrange to watch weavers at work.

Places to visit in Puri

Shree Jagannath Temple

The 12^th-century temple dedicated to this form of Lord Vishnu, Shree Jagannath Temple is one of the prime places to visit in Puri. The presiding deities are Lord Vishnu as Jagannath, his brother -Balabhadra and his sister - Subhadra. You can admire the architecture and design of the temple while offering prayers in the sanctum sanctorum. Another big pull is the delicious temple food (prasad) served here.

Sakshigopal Temple

Gopal or Gopinath, a form of Lord Vishnu, sits here as the main deity with Goddess Radha. The temple is usually the next stop after Shree Jagannath Temple among places to visit in Puri. The temple showcases Kalinga-style architecture and holds importance in neighbouring cultures. Devotees can plan a visit to the Sakshigopal Temple during the Amla Navami.

Gundicha Mandir

Popular as the garden home of Lord Jagannath, Gundicha Mandir holds importance in the ritual of the Rath Yatra. The deities are housed in this temple for seven days during the festival. The beautifully carved and painted structures offer a divine calm. This is what makes Gundicha Mandir one of the most sought-after places to visit in Puri.

Swargadwar Market

Located between Swargadwar beach and Puri beach, Swargadwar Market is among the best places to visit in Puri for souvenir shopping. The market has a series of shops selling varied items but handloom textile is the best here. After spending the evening on one of the beaches, head to Swargadwar market on a shopping spree.

Puri Beach

Located close to the Jagannath Temple is the long Puri beach. It is one of the top places to visit in Puri for vacationers and honeymooners. The beach boasts golden sands, frothy waves and birds and marine life. You can enjoy long walks along the beach, watch the sun rising in the morning or gorge on beach food in the evening.

Pipli

Pipli is a tiny town close to Puri that is a shoppers paradise. The place is famous for creative handicrafts that are both rustic and beautiful. You may find lamps, bags, sheets, pillow covers, wall hangings, footwear etc. at bargain prices. The colourful embroideries are worth every penny you pay. Make sure to put Pipli on your list of places to visit in Puri.

Konark

Built in the 13^th century CE, Konark Temple is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya). The strategically designed temple has three idols of the deity in three directions so that morning, noon and sunset rays can fall on one of them. The large carved wheels and geometric patterns were used as sundials in ancient times. This is one of the amazing places to visit in Puri and is UNESCO-certified.

Food to Try in Puri

Puri is a foodies heaven. There are a wide variety of savoury and sweet food items in most places to visit in Puri, that are delectable. To start with, the temple food at Shree Jagannath temple, khicede is a simple sattvik take on the mixed rice and lentil dish called khichdi. Also, the Abadha thali served in the temple has pure vegetarian Odiya fare served with rice on a banana leaf. You should also try the Dalma (a vegetable and lentil dish), the Puri food made famous by late President APJ Abdul Kalam. Another mixed vegetable curry is Santula which is eaten with rice and is very light on the palate and the stomach. For desserts, do not miss the famous Chhena poda (the Odiya cheesecake) made with caramelised cottage cheese while touring the places to visit in Puri. Another temple sweet is Rasabali, a deep-fried cottage cheese disc dipped in syrup. Also, you must try the rice flour-based sweets of various types called Pitha, an important Puri food in home kitchens too.

Things to Buy in Puri

You must list the various markets among the places to visit in Puri. Puri markets have a great variety of textiles. Handloom here is quite famous try the Ikat weave or the 100% cotton material. Select special sarees such as Ikat, Bomkai, Sambalpuri and Passapali. You can also buy Sambalpuri silk and Tussar silk. You should also check out brass artefacts utensils, decorative items or items for worship. You can also buy wooden and clay artefacts such as candle stands, human figurines etc. in the Odissi design. Most places to visit in Puri have shops around them for tourists to buy souvenirs. Seashell jewellery and decorative items are some other options. Do not forget to buy sweets Chhenapoda, Khaja, Pitha and more.

Conclusion

The sacred city of Puri has a special significance for the spiritually inclined. That does not mean there is nothing of interest for other travellers. There are many interesting places to visit in Puri. Even if you are not spiritually inclined, the temples of Puri have magnificent architecture to admire. The beaches, caves and nearby villages make exciting places to visit in Puri for the whole family. Puri food can be an attraction for tourism in itself. Plan a trip to Puri and discover your favourite places to visit in Puri.