Puri
India · Asia
About Puri
Puri, also known as Jagannath Puri, is a coastal city and a Municipal Corporation in the state of Odisha in eastern India. It is the district headquarters of Puri district and is situated on the Bay of Bengal, 60 kilometres (37 mi) south of the state capital of Bhubaneswar. It is home to the 12th-century Jagannath Temple and is one of the original Char Dham pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Puri has been known by several names since ancient times and was locally known as "Sri Kshetra" and the Jagannath temple is known as "Badadeula". Puri and the Jagannath Temple were invaded 18 times by Muslim rulers, from the 7th century AD until the early 19th century with the objective of looting the treasures of the temple. Odisha, including Puri and its temple, were part of British India from 1803 until India attained independence in August 1947. Even though princely states do not exist in India today, the heirs of the House of Gajapati still perform the ritual duties of the temple. The temple town has many Hindu religious mathas or monasteries.
The economy of Puri is dependent on the religious importance of the Jagannath Temple to the extent of nearly 80 per cent. The 24 festivals, including 13 major ones, held every year in the temple complex contribute to the economy; Ratha Yatra and its related festivals are the most important which are attended by millions of people every year. Sand art and applique art are some of the important crafts of the city.
Puri has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) scheme of Government of India.
Puri is a significant part of the "Krishna pilgrimage circuit" which also includes Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Gokul, Govardhan, Kurukshetra and Dwarka.
Puri travel guide
Understand
Puri (poo-rih) literally means "city" in Sanskrit. It appeals to both pilgrims and vacationers as it blends religion with fun. Puri is one of the Char Dham (Four Abodes) sites that are considered sacred to the Hindus, and the Jagannath Temple is an example of the Kalinga architecture. The 9 km (5.6 mi) long sea beach is another major attraction of the city with its fantastic sea face view and golden sand; the water is a bit rough (which is good if you like to surf).
Getting there
By plane The nearest airport is in Bhubaneswar, (60 km (37 mi)) from Puri. Then take a train or bus to reach your destination.
By train Puri is well-connected by railways. Trains are available from Howrah, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar etc. It is also a major railhead on the East Coast Railway, bifurcated from Khurda Road. 1 Puri railway station ECoR is in the heart of the town and near to most hotels. While arriving by train, go to the Odisha State Tourist counter at the station for advice; they are usually very helpful and speak English. The MCO Booth is also quite helpful.
By bus Puri is approximately 1½ hours or 60 km from Bhubaneswar and the journey costs about ₹130.
Getting around
You can use cycle rickshaws, auto-rickshaws or electric rickshaws but agree on a price before you set off. Just to avoid a horrible experience in the beginning confirm twice on the price, as they frequently try to charge you more than you agreed on. There are places on C.T. Road where you can hire a Royal Enfield motorbike, good if you want to drive along the coast to Konark (Sun Temple). A cycle rickshaw is in the range of ₹520.
Buy
1 Puri Beach Market. 5–10PM. (updated Sep 2023)
Eat
Chung Wah (At Hotel Lee Garden), VIP Road (near Netaji Subhash Chowk). Good Chinese food. (updated Jan 2016) 1 Dada Boudir Restaurant, Swargadwar (opposite Bharat Sevashram Sangha Library). Puri branch of Kolkata's popular Dada Boudir Restaurant. Authentic Bengali food. (updated Sep 2023) 2 Ganguram Sweets, Swargadwar (in front of Handloom Gardens). There are several sweet shops under the name "Ganguram Sweets", among which the one in front of Handloom Gardens is the oldest. It has no branches. (updated Sep 2023) Kakatua. near the Iskcon temple in Swargadwara there is a good sweet shop/restaurant with a cockatoo outside and the resto is named after it. Krishna Resorts. Pure vegetarian restaurant with Gujarati and marwari thali on Chakratirth road. 3 Original Nrusingha Sweets. There are several sweet shops under the name "Nrusingha Sweets" or "Nursingha Sweets", among which the Original Nrusingha Sweets is the oldest. It has four branches. (updated Sep 2023) Shyama. Pure vegetarian restaurant opposite the Jagannath temple on the Grand Road above the shops on the corner. There are many restaurants in Swargadwara, New Puri and CT. Road. Wild Grass, VIP Road (near Netaji Subhas Chowk). Theme restaurant serving local delicacies. (updated Jan 2016)
Sleep
Puri is a very popular holiday resort for people from all over India but they tend to stay in the hotels nearer to Swargadwar (rather than C.T. Road). These hotels are often affordable and offer quality services at very reasonable rates.
Asian Inn Beach Resort, New Marine Drive Road, Swargadwar. This 3-storey resort has modern facilities including elevators, with a good view of the Bay of Bengal. There's an air-conditioned restaurant and a conference room. There is also a doctor on call, laundry, locker and secretarial services. (updated Sep 2018) Balananda Tirthasram & Restaurant, Sea Beach Rd (After meteorological office, opposite sea beach), ☏ +91 6752228727. Check-in: Morning, check-out: 24 hours. Family hotel with sea views from each balcony. You can see the sea from your room balcony. You have to order and collect your coupon each morning before 10 for lunch starting at 12:30PM. Same for dinner and breakfast. ₹325-425 per room, ₹24 per vegetarian meal (as of 2012). Deep Resorts. Check-in: 7:30AM, check-out: 7AM. ₹750-1400. Gochikar House, New Marine Drive Road, Swargodwar. Check-out: 7AM. Sea view rooms, travel desk. ₹500-12000. Hans Coco Palms Resort, Baliapanda New Marine Drive Road, Swargdwar, ☏ +91 80 4809 1108, [email protected]. Quiet location and a swimming pool. The hotel has a private beach, although there are only two canopies for guests. There are no lifeguards (nulia), but you can hire one if you wish. Breakfast (especially the Hans Coco Palms Special) is a good value and wholesome. Try the tomato shorba and 'thaali' for lunch/dinner. Hotel Diamond Palace, New Marine Drive Road, Gourbad Sahi, ☏ +91 6752 230300, [email protected]. ₹600-₹000. Hotel Pushpasree, New Marine Drive Road, Gourbad Sahi, ☏ +91 6752 254157, [email protected]. ₹600-800. Hotel Sairam, CT Rd (Marine Drive Road near Sansangha Thakurbadi, 10 m from Golden Beach). Check-in: 8AM, check-out: 7:30AM. Rooms are neatly furnished and are sea facing. Warm and friendly staff. ₹500-1000. (updated Jan 2021) Hotel Sea Queen Inn (Chakratirth Road), ☏ +91 6752 222846. Between the beach and the hotel is a small restaurant called Pink House. Lovely food and friendly people. Adjacent to the hotel is an Ayurvedic Center providing body massage and other ayurvedic therapies. AC rooms for ₹800 (non-AC rooms also available). Massages start from ₹350 for an hours' session, ₹750 for a 14-day session. Hotel Vijoya International, Chakratritha Road, Sea Beach (on the sea shore in Chakra Tirtha), ☏ +91 9831242499, [email protected]
Go next
Puri, being a major tourist spot, is well connected with the rest of the country by train. In case of flight connectivity, one has to go to Bhubaneswar to get onto one. From the main bus stand in Puri, you can get buses to Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, which are less than 60-70 km away. Bhubaneswar, which is a major hub, further increases connectivity.
The temple of Konark is nearby and a must-visit. Satapada on Chilika Lake is nearby and is a great place for sighting dolphins.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.