Puri is a beautiful coastal town located in the eastern state of Odisha, India. The town is renowned for its ancient Jagannath Temple, which is one of the most revered Hindu shrines in the country. However, there is more to Puri than just the temple. The town boasts of beautiful beaches, ancient temples, and a rich cultural heritage.
When planning a trip to Puri, the best time to visit is between October and February, when the weather is pleasant and cool. The summer months of April to June can be quite hot and humid, while the monsoon season from July to September can bring heavy rains and disrupt travel plans.
To reach Puri, the nearest airport is the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, which is about 60 km away. The airport is well-connected to major cities in India, and there are regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. From the airport, one can hire a taxi or take a bus to Puri.
Puri is also well-connected by rail, and the Puri Railway Station is one of the major railway stations in the state. There are direct trains to Puri from major cities like Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai.
In terms of accommodation, Puri offers a wide range of options, from budget guesthouses to luxury resorts. The best areas to stay in Puri are near the beach, where one can enjoy beautiful views and easy access to the major attractions. Here are the top 10 must-visit temples in Puri:
Jagannath TempleJagannath Temple is a famous Hindu temple located in the coastal town of Puri. It is one of the four sacred places (Char Dham) in Hinduism and is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the country. The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu, along with his sister Subhadra and brother Balabhadra.
The temple's architecture is an impressive example of Kalinga style, characterized by its pyramid-shaped spire, intricate carvings, and elaborate sculptures. The temple complex covers an area of over 400,000 square feet and includes several smaller temples, shrines, and courtyards.
The temple is famous for its annual Rath Yatra festival, where the deities are taken out in a grand procession in three massive chariots, pulled by thousands of devotees. The festival attracts millions of devotees from all over India and is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
Gundicha TempleGundicha Temple is situated about 3 km away from the famous Jagannath Temple and is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, along with his sister Subhadra and brother Balabhadra.
The temple is also known as the Garden House of Lord Jagannath, as it is believed that Lord Jagannath and his siblings spend nine days here during the annual Rath Yatra festival. The temple is named after Gundicha, who was the queen of the legendary King Indradyumna, who is said to have built the Jagannath Temple.
The architecture of the Gundicha Temple is similar to that of the Jagannath Temple, with its characteristic pyramid-shaped spire and intricate carvings. The temple is surrounded by a beautiful garden and has several smaller shrines dedicated to other deities.
One of the most significant events that take place at the Gundicha Temple is the Chandan Yatra, which is a 21-day long festival that takes place in April-May. During this festival, the deities are taken in a grand procession to the Narendra Sarovar tank, where they are bathed in sandalwood paste.
The temple is also an important pilgrimage site for devotees of Lord Jagannath, who come here to seek blessings and offer prayers. The temple complex includes several other structures, such as the Ananda Bazaar and the kitchen (Mahaprasad), which serve as important cultural and social centers.
Lokanath TempleLokanath Temple is a famous Hindu temple located in the town of Puri, in the eastern state of Odisha, India. It is situated about 3 km away from the famous Jagannath Temple and is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism.
The temple is believed to have been built in the 11th century by the ruler Yayati Kesari and is one of the most revered Shiva temples in the region. The architecture of the temple is simple and elegant, with a square-shaped sanctum sanctorum and a spire made of stone.
The temple is famous for its unique rituals and practices, which are different from those followed at other Shiva temples. The most significant of these is the practice of covering the Shiva Linga (the symbolic representation of Lord Shiva) with a thick layer of sandalwood paste. This paste is then removed on the day of Shivaratri (a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva), and the Linga is bathed in water and milk.
The temple also has a rich history and mythology associated with it. According to legend, the temple was built at the spot where Lord Shiva appeared in the dream of a sage named Lokakshi and asked him to build a temple in his honor. The temple is also associated with several other mythological stories, including the story of the five Pandavas from the epic Mahabharata.
Vimala Temple Vimala Temple is situated near the Jagannath Temple and is dedicated to the goddess Vimala, who is believed to be a form of the Hindu goddess Shakti.
The temple is one of the most important Shakti temples in the region and is also known as the Sakti Peetha of Puri. According to legend, the temple was built at the spot where the goddess Vimala's chest fell after her body was cut into pieces by Lord Vishnu.
The architecture of the Vimala Temple is unique and different from other temples in the region. The temple is constructed in the Kalinga style of architecture and has a pyramid-shaped spire made of stone. The sanctum sanctorum is square-shaped and houses the idol of the goddess Vimala, which is believed to be self-manifested.
The temple is also famous for its unique rituals and practices. One of the most significant of these is the offering of food to the goddess, which is known as Mahaprasad. The food is cooked in the temple kitchen (Mahalaxmi Bhandar) and is believed to be blessed by the goddess herself. The Mahaprasad is considered to be a sacred offering and is distributed to devotees as a prasad (holy offering).
Another unique practice of the Vimala Temple is the Alati ceremony, which takes place every evening. During this ceremony, a lamp is lit in front of the idol of the goddess, and hymns and prayers are recited in her honor.
Alarnath TempleAlarnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the region.
The temple is believed to have been built in the 9th century and is associated with several mythological stories. According to legend, the temple was built at the spot where Lord Vishnu appeared in the dream of a devotee named Brahmagiri and asked him to build a temple in his honor.
The architecture of the Alarnath Temple is simple and elegant, with a square-shaped sanctum sanctorum and a spire made of stone. The temple is surrounded by a beautiful garden and has a large pond (known as Alarnath Kund) in front of it.
The temple is famous for its unique rituals and practices. The most significant of these is the Anavasara ceremony, which takes place every year. During this ceremony, the main idol of Lord Vishnu is taken out of the temple and kept in a secret location for a period of 15 days. It is believed that during this time, Lord Vishnu falls sick and is attended to by the local people who provide him with medicinal herbs and food.
After 15 days, the idol is brought back to the temple and bathed in a special ceremony known as the Snana Purnima. This ceremony is attended by thousands of devotees from all over the region, who come to witness the bath of the deity.
Daria Mahavir TempleDaria Mahavir Temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, who is also known as Mahavir. The word Daria means sea, as the temple is situated on the shores of the Bay of Bengal.
The temple is believed to have been built in the 18th century and is famous for its unique architecture and location. The temple is surrounded by the sea on three sides and has a beautiful garden in front of it.
The architecture of the Daria Mahavir Temple is different from other temples in the region. The temple has a pyramid-shaped spire made of stone and is surrounded by a high wall. The sanctum sanctorum is square-shaped and houses the idol of Lord Hanuman, which is believed to have been self-manifested.
The temple is famous for its unique rituals and practices. One of the most significant of these is the offering of coconut water to the deity. It is believed that offering coconut water to Lord Hanuman can help cure diseases and bring good luck.
Another important ritual of the Daria Mahavir Temple is the Brahma Paribartan ceremony, which takes place once every 12 years. During this ceremony, the idol of Lord Hanuman is taken out of the temple and kept in a secret location for a period of 12 years. After 12 years, the idol is brought back to the temple and installed in a special ceremony.
Sakshigopal TempleSakshigopal Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is considered to be one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the region.
The temple is believed to have been built in the 18th century and is associated with several mythological stories. According to legend, the temple was built at the spot where Lord Krishna appeared in the dream of a devotee named Indradyumna and asked him to build a temple in his honor.
The architecture of the Sakshigopal Temple is simple and elegant, with a square-shaped sanctum sanctorum and a spire made of stone. The temple is surrounded by a beautiful garden and has a large pond in front of it.
The temple is famous for its unique rituals and practices. The most significant of these is the Anavasara ceremony, which takes place every year. During this ceremony, the main idol of Lord Krishna is taken out of the temple and kept in a secret location for a period of 15 days. It is believed that during this time, Lord Krishna falls sick and is attended to by the local people who provide him with medicinal herbs and food.
After 15 days, the idol is brought back to the temple and bathed in a special ceremony known as the Snana Purnima. This ceremony is attended by thousands of devotees from all over the region, who come to witness the bath of the deity.
Markandeswar TempleMarkandeswar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered to be one of the oldest and most important temples in the region.
The temple is believed to have been built in the 13th century and is associated with several mythological stories. According to legend, the temple was built at the spot where Lord Shiva appeared in the dream of a sage named Markandeya and asked him to build a temple in his honor.
The architecture of the Markandeswar Temple is simple and elegant, with a square-shaped sanctum sanctorum and a spire made of stone. The temple is surrounded by a high wall and has a beautiful garden in front of it.
The temple is famous for its unique rituals and practices. One of the most significant of these is the Jagarana ceremony, which takes place every night. During this ceremony, the main idol of Lord Shiva is decorated with flowers and offered various items like milk, honey, and fruits.
Another important ritual of the Markandeswar Temple is the Shivaratri festival, which is celebrated every year with great fervor and devotion. During this festival, thousands of devotees from all over the region come to the temple to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.
Baliharchandi TempleBaliharchandi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Baliharchandi, who is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga.
The temple is situated on the banks of the Bay of Bengal and is surrounded by natural beauty, including lush greenery and scenic landscapes. The temple is also famous for its association with several mythological stories.
According to legend, Goddess Baliharchandi is said to have appeared at this spot to vanquish the demon king Bali, who had become a threat to the gods and goddesses. The temple is believed to have been built at the spot where the goddess appeared and defeated the demon king.
The architecture of the Baliharchandi Temple is simple and elegant, with a square-shaped sanctum sanctorum and a spire made of stone. The temple is surrounded by a high wall and has a beautiful garden in front of it.
The temple is famous for its unique rituals and practices. One of the most significant of these is the Chandi Homam ceremony, which takes place every year. During this ceremony, a fire is lit and various items are offered to the goddess, including flowers, fruits, and sweets.
Another important ritual of the Baliharchandi Temple is the Navratri festival, which is celebrated every year with great fervor and devotion. During this festival, thousands of devotees from all over the region come to the temple to offer prayers and seek the blessings of the goddess.
Ramachandi TempleRamachandi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Ramachandi, who is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga.
The temple is situated on the banks of the Kusabhadra River, which flows into the Bay of Bengal. The temple is surrounded by natural beauty, including lush greenery and scenic landscapes.
According to legend, the temple is believed to have been built at the spot where Lord Rama and Goddess Sita visited during their exile period. The temple is also associated with several mythological stories and is considered to be a very sacred place for the devotees.
The architecture of the Ramachandi Temple is simple and elegant, with a square-shaped sanctum sanctorum and a spire made of stone. The temple is surrounded by a high wall and has a beautiful garden in front of it.
The temple is famous for its unique rituals and practices. One of the most significant of these is the Chandi Yagna ceremony, which takes place every year. During this ceremony, a fire is lit and various items are offered to the goddess, including flowers, fruits, and sweets.
Another important ritual of the Ramachandi Temple is the Durga Puja festival, which is celebrated every year with great fervor and devotion. During this festival, thousands of devotees from all over the region come to the temple to offer prayers and seek the blessings of the goddess.
In conclusion, Puri is not just about the Jagannath Temple, but also has a rich history and culture of various other temples. A visit to these temples will not only be a spiritual experience but also a journey into the history and tradition of the region.