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Puri is a small town located on the east coast of India. It is a popular tourist destination due to its beautiful beaches and temples. The town is also home to the famous Jagannath Temple, which is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus. There are many things to see and do in Puri. The beaches are a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The temples are also worth visiting, especially the Jagannath Temple. There are also a number of markets and shops in Puri, where you can find souvenirs and local handicrafts. Puri is a great place to visit if you are looking for a peaceful and relaxing holiday.
Located in the sacred town of Puri, the Jagannath Temple or the pride of India was built in the 11th century by King Indradyumna. This glorious temple is the abode of Lord Jagannath who is a form of Lord Vishnu. It is the most revered pilgrimage site for Hindus and is included in the pious Char Dham Yatra with Badrinath, Dwarka, and Rameshwaram. Apart from the main shrine that rises high, many minor temples within the complex will make you feel like you have entered God's home itself.
It is one of the temples closely related to the festivity of the Rath Yatra of Puri. It is a holy place where God resides for seven days during the festival. This garden is regarded as the place of Lord Jagannath's aunt.
Sakshi Gopal(literal meaning, the witness lord) is a place 20 km away from Puri where a life-size image of the child Krishna is being built. This was to commemorate the incident when Lord Krishna came to this place as a witness to clear out a dispute of two Brahmans. Later it is said that lord liked this place so much that he decided to stay there for a while.
Chilika Lake, the largest brackish water lake in Asia (65 km long, 8-20 km wide, about 2 meter deep), is situated just a few kilometers away from Puri and is a place worth visiting. It has been affectionately called the “Honeymooners' paradise” and “Breakfast Island”. The simmering blue water makes it an excellent site to have a break from the monotonous daily routine.
Kakatpur is famous for the Shrine of Goddess Mangala situated on the bank of river Prachi. The present temple dates back to the 15th century AD and the deity belongs to the 9th century AD. Goddess Mangala sits in Lalitasana on a double lotus pedestal. The mother Goddess is Surrounded by a host of Parswa Devatas.
The Vishnu Mandira. Many years ago (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 rests 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 visualized the appearance of Lord Jagannath in Alarnath and spent a long period in worshiping the deity here. It is believed that those who cannot worship Lord Jagannath during his stay in the sick chamber can get the blessings of the deity if they visit the Alarnath temple.
Sakhigopal or Satyabadi is famous for the shrine of Sakhigopal. It is one of the pilgrimage centers in the district and believes that one's pilgrimage to Puri is incomplete without visiting Sakhigopal. The name Sakhi Gopal literally means witness Gopal(Srikrishna). The temple of Sakhigopal is 60 ft height & the image of Shri Krishna and Radha is 5 ft & 4 ft height respectively.
Kuruma is famous for the excavated site of Buddha Vihar. It is a small village known as Jama–Dharma situated at a distance of 8 km from Konark. The village has come to prominence due to the discovery of Archaeological remains like the image of Lord Buddha seated in BhumiSparsa Mudra along with the image of Heruka (a Buddhist deity). There is a brick wall measuring 17 meters.
Chaurasi, a small village which is famous for the ancient temple of Varahi. Varahi is the Mother Goddess with the face of a boar. It is believed that She holds a fish in one hand and a cup in the other. The deity belongs to the 9th century AD. She is worshiped accordingly to tantric rites. The existing temple of Laxminarayan and the deity of Nilamadhab are the additional attraction of the place. Close to the village Charasi, Amareswar is also famous for the shrine of Amareswar(Siva).
The Temple is located on the upper part of Biswanath Mundia hill near Delang in Puri district, close to Puri and Bhubaneswar. Archeologists opine that there are many Buddhist stupas in this hill. Biswanath Hill is known for its ancient monastery of Dignag, the Buddhist Logician and Philosopher. There is also the archeological remains of a Varaha image.
The village is also famous for Gotipua dance. Near to Raghurajpur is another better-known destination is DandaSahi, which has the potential of becoming a heritage village of tomorrow. A small village of about 50 households, Dandasahi is on the side of the historical road, through which Sri Chaitanya had traveled to Puri. The Raghurajpur village, idyllic setting on the Southern bank of the river Bhargavi, surrounded by Coconut, Palm, Mango, Jackfruit, Groves & other tropical trees. The village is famous for the community of artisans who produce different varieties of handicraft items like Patta paintings, palm leaf engravings, stone carvings, paper mache toys & masks, wood carvings, wooden toys, cow dung toys, tusser paintings etc.
There is a temple dedicated to goddess Harachandi at 27 km southwest of Puri on the NH-203 leading from Puri towards Brahmagiri and Satapada. In Odia language Bali means Sand & Harachandi means an angry form of Goddess Durga. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is mounted on a sandy hill near the ocean. Beach is very near to the temple which is another major attraction of this place.
The temple of Goddess ‘Ramachandi’ on the river mouth of Kushabhadra is a splendid scenic picnic spot. It is situated 7 km before Konark on the Marine drive road from Puri to Konark. Ramachandi is popularly believed the presiding deity of Konark and the most benevolent Chandi known. It is certainly more ancient than the Sun temple at Konark.
Pipili is famous for Applique works which are a traditional craft of the local People. They prepare Chandua(colorful Arts on clothes), Umbrella, cloth Bags, Purses, Wall Hangings, Carpets, Garments for ladies & other applique works which have a good market in India and abroad. During World famous Ratha Yatra, the chariots(Raths) are being decorated with colorful clothes made by the People of pipili.
There are many stories about Beleswar Pitha. Some People believed that Lord Rama had established the ‘Siva Lingam’ here and had worshiped by offering Bela before proceeding to Lanka for war with the Demon king Ravana. Since this place was known as ‘Beleswar Pitha’. The temple Beleswar has been constructed on a sand dune. Since the temple as located only at a distance of 4 km from the Sea, it has got more tourist potentiality
Pir Mukudan Jahania Jahagast Pir is a Muslim saint, located near Astarang on the Beach. According to tradition in the 16th Century, the Muslim saint with his disciples came to India from Baghdad and after staying in Bengal he came to Odisha. He visited many places & finally, he settled down near Astarang. Both Hindus & Muslims offer worship at the shrine. It is also a Beautiful Picnic spot.