Puri - Montage of Puri City / the Abode of Purshottam Lord Jagganath

Sri Kshetra

Much famous as Jagannath Puri - is one of the leading holy destinations of India, besides being one of the four sacred dhams (spots) established by Adi Shankarcharya. Jagannath Puri forms the famed Golden Triangle of Orissa with Bhubaneshwar and Konark – two other leading sacred destinations of the state.

Jagannath Puri is the precursor of the Jagannath cult or Vaishnava Cult in Orissa, which witnessed the cropping-up of several temples dedicated to Lord Jagannath all over Orissa. The followers of Vaishnavsim worship Lord Vishnu, Lord Krishna and Lord Rama.

Located on the east of India in Orissa, Jagganath Puri houses the temple of the Lord Jagganth, or the ‘Lord of the Universe’, from which the place derives its name. Lord Jagganath Temple, built by Raja Ananta Varman Chodaganga Dev in 12th century A.D., is a huge temple containing the wooden images of Lord Krishna – Jagannath, Balabhadra (Balarama) and Subhadra – the brother and sister of Lord Krishna in that order.

Apart from the Jagganath Temple, Sri Kshetra is also famous for its annual Rath Yatra, or chariot festival, or the car festival, in which all the images of the three key temple deities placed on huge and ornately decked chariots are pulled over by the passionate devotees.

Among the other draws of Puri, Swargadwar Beach occupies an important place. Literally meaning the door to heaven, the Swargadwar Beach is an isolated beach and a holy place in the Jagganath Puri. Visitors to the blessed destination of Puri make it a point to visit this beach to have a dip at sea. Legend has it that it was at the Swargadwar Beach that Sri Chaithanya Dev - the famed Vaishnava saint and social reformer of the eastern India -- took his daily bath.

The Daria Hanuman and Sonar Gouranga temples of Puri are the other key attractions of the area. Most of the religious inclined visitors to Jagganth Puri make it a point to visit these temples also. The lovely Puri Beach is yet another draw of the hallowed place and famous for its excellent white sands and serene environment. Since long, this stunningly beautiful sea beach has continued to be a sacred venue for the spiritually inclined visitors to Puri.

Then there’s Sakhigopal -- yet another key draw of Puri and Closely Located, Sakhigopal is actually renowned for the Sakhigopal Temple -- a temple of Lord Krishna. Sakhigopal Temple is one of the oldest temples of the state and perhaps one of the most well-known as well.

Where to Stay

There are several Puri resorts and Puri hotels where can stay available at all kind of budgets.