Puri is a lovely city in Odisha, India's easternmost state, and is only 60 kilometers from the capital. It's on the Bay of Bengal, and it has lovely sunlight scenery with palm trees and glistening waves on the beach. The city thrives with a diversified visitor population, including holy worshippers in temples and sunbathers on the beach, making it one of the most admired tourist destinations in not just India, but the entire world. It is one of the four Char Dhams, or Hindu pilgrimage sites, and every year during the magnificent Rath Yatra, it attracts a great crowd. Jagannath Temple, Gundicha Temple, Vimala Temple, Loknath Temple, and others are among the world's most prominent temples. It also has a panch tirtha, a bath where pilgrims wash their feet before continuing on to Puri. Aside from beautiful places to visit, the city also boasts excellent work by local artisans to see and buy in local shops. It also gives a glimpse into the lives of tribals, as well as their traditional Odia culture and heritage. Puri is regarded as the beach city and has become a popular destination for people from all over the world on short hippy journeys. Tourists like sitting on the beach and participating in numerous activities such as water sports, boating, and even fishing.

Past of Puri

Lord Jagannath is seen to be identical with Puri, and vice versa. Several attempts have been made to discover the city's true historical roots, but little has been discovered. According to legend, the Jagannath Dharma has been around since the dawn of time. Between the 4th century AD until the early 19th century, Hindu and Muslim monarchs attacked Puri and the Jagannath Temple 18 times. Odisha was ruled by the Mughals from the 16th to the 18th centuries. In the mid-eighteenth century, the Marathas entered the fray and divided Odisha into four districts. Puri was ruled by the British from 1803 until August 1947, when it gained freedom. When the British ruled Odisha in 1803 they modified the state's divisions once more, isolating the entire state into two districts, north and south. The districts were merged once more in 1805. Until 1816, the British declared Puri to be the capital of Odisha. Puri was governed by a joint magistrate from 1813 to 1819. The land was divided into three regions in 1828: Katak, Balasore, and Jagannath Puri. Odisha was split from Bihar in 1936, and Puri was established in 1948. Puri District was divided into three regions in 1995: Nayagarh District, which included the Nayagarh sub-division, Khurda District, which included the Khurda and Bhubaneswar sub-divisions, and Puri District, which included the Puri Sadar sub-division. Even though princely states no longer exist in India, the Gajapati Dynasty of Khurda's heirs continue to conduct the temple's ritual responsibilities.

Culture and Tradition of Puri

Puri's culture is rooted in the Jagannath Culture, which is a blend of numerous Indian civilizations as well as Vaishnavism. Puri's culture is mirrored in the many festivals that take place here, imbuing the city with a strong religious zeal. Some of the major festivals include Snana Yatra, Ratha Yatra, and Chandan Yatra. The culture of the Jagannath Temple has left its mark on the local cuisine. The widespread temple culture is reflected in the arts and crafts, such as handicrafts, handlooms, and architecture. Puri's cultural history extends back to the beginning of time. The Puri Beach Festival's gala celebrations are well-attended and well-received by art lovers. Puri's performing arts tradition includes Odissi dance, Naga dances, Medha dances, Gotipua dances, Bhalunacha dance, Pala Natya, and Navarang dance. Patta-Chitra paintings are folk paintings that are the most antique of all the other types of paintings found here.

Festivals of Puri

The famed Puri Cart Festival, also known as the 'Rath Yatra,' is one of Lord Jagannath's most important festivals, which takes place in early July on the auspicious day of Ashadh Sud 2. This colorful event attracts millions of devotees from all around the country, as well as from all over the world, to witness the holy festival of Rath Yatra. Lord Jagannath, the Creator of the Universe, emerges from His sanctum sanctorum to grant Darshan to all Devotees of all Communities and Religions.The Rath Yatra event lasts nine days, and on the first day, the three deities of Jagannath temple are carried by worshipers through the Bada Danda in three giant chariots built specifically for the celebration and dragged through the Bada Danda by large ropes to the Gundicha Temple.The deities of Jagannath Temple are said to spend their holidays with their aunt in Gundicha Temple, where they spend nine days. Visitors of all castes, religions, and sects are welcome to receive Darshaans from Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra during this period.

Local Food in Puri

• Khichdi - Khichdi, a variant on Indian khichdi, is a popular Odia meal offered at the Puri Temple as part of Lord Jagannath's maha bhog. This dish is made from a combination of rice and lentils cooked in pure ghee, making it both delicious and nutritious.
• Malpuas - Malpuas of Puri are a sweet delicacy served as Lord Jagannath's morning food at the Puri Temple. They are especially famous because they are cooked differently than the rest of India. All-purpose flour, bananas, cardamoms, coconut, milk, and fennel seeds are vital ingredients in the malpuas.
• Dalma - Dalma, a city-specific character, became extremely popular. It was added to the President's food menu by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Dalma is a lentil-and-vegetable stew that tastes unexpectedly excellent. Dalma, a Puri restaurant named after this popular dish and located on VIP Road, promises to satisfy all visitors with what it knows best: indigenous Odia cuisine.
• Ukhuda - Another native sweet delicacy, ukhuda, is served in the bhog for Lord Jaggannath in the Puri Temple. This cuisine consists of fried puffed rice that has been sweetened with jaggery. To give this dish a unique flavor, cut chunks of coconut and carom seeds are added in the preparation.
• Abadha - At the Puri Temple, an Abadha Thali is offered, which includes all of the items from the Mahaprasad that is presented to Lord Jagannath. The thali is priced between INR 70 and 120 and contains the majority of Puri's native food.
• Chenna Poda - A festival delicacy, is said to be Lord Jagannath's favorite sweet dish and is prepared for several hours. On important occasions and festivals, it's made in homes and restaurants. Cottage cheese and caramelized sugar make up the complete flavor profile. This dish is a must-try for Puri food because of the patience and time required.
• Chungdi Malai - Puri's location on the Bay of Bengal makes it excellent for any type of seafood cuisine. Chungdi Malai is a tasty prawn dish with a creamier texture because of the addition of coconut milk in the cooking process. Spices are then added to the smoother texture, turning it into a mouth-watering Puri delicacy.

Places to visit in Puri

• Shri Jagannath Temple - The Jagannath Temple, often known as the pride of India, is located in the sacred town of Puri and was built by King Indradyumna in the 11th century. Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu, has his residence in this magnificent temple. For Hindus, it is the holiest pilgrimage site, along with Badrinath, Dwarka, and Rameshwaram, that make up the Char Dham Yatra. Aside from the main shrine, which stands tall, many smaller temples within the complex will make you feel as if you've entered God's own home.
• Puri Beach - Puri Beach, which borders the Bay of Bengal and is 35 kilometers from the Sun Temple, is one of East India's most beautiful coasts. The site is great for holidaymakers wishing for some quiet, with the sun glistening on the beautiful waters of the beach. It is frequently thronged by devotees who come to Puri to pay their respects to Lord Jagannath and visit the beach for a purifying dip. Sudarshan Patnaik, an internationally recognised sand artist, has created sand sculptures on the beach.
• Markandeswara Temple - Markandeswara temple is noted for its exquisite architectural and aesthetic characteristics, and is thought to have been built in the 13th century. The temple's entryway is ornamented with a Nataraja image with ten arms. The miniature figurines of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Ganesha are set in the niches of the main shrine and are intricately sculpted.
• Chilika Lake - Chilika Lake is Asia's largest internal salt water lake, and it's a birdwatcher's and environment lover's dream come true. The pear-shaped lake is surrounded by fisheries and salt pans and is sprinkled with a few small islands. The Chilika Lake also has one of the world's most hospitable environments, which means that a diverse range of flora and wildlife can be found here.
• Jagannath Rath Yatra - Ratha Yatra, or the Chariot Festival, is an annual Hindu festival in Puri, Orissa, India, commemorating the god Jagannath. It is held on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya, the second day of the bright fortnight of the Ashadha month. Jagannath's (another name for Lord Shiva) annual pilgrimage to Gundicha Temple via Mausi Maa Temple, which is notable as his aunt's residence at Balagandi Chaka, Puri, is commemorated by the event.
• Baleshwar Beach - Baleshwar Beach is also known as Chandipur Beach, is one of Odisha's less congested and tranquil beaches. The tide pattern is what makes this beach special. The sea water recedes from the sandy beach for up to 5 kilometers at some ebb tides, leaving muddy traces behind. As a result, this beach is environmentally diverse, and mollusks, crustaceans, and horseshoe crabs can all be found there.
• Astaranga Beach - Astaranga, which means "bright sunset," is a beautiful beach in the Indian state of Orissa. As the name implies, this beach is well-known for the breathtaking sunset views it offers. The sky takes on vibrant hues, and the blue water in contrast to it creates a wonderful atmosphere. The Astaranga beach is a well-known fishing community, and a market is set up on the beach every morning where you can buy a variety of fresh seafood.

How to reach? 

• By Air - Puri does not have an airport, however the nearest ones are Bhubaneswar Airport, which is 53 kilometers away, and Visakhapatnam Airport, which is 368 kilometers away in Andhra Pradesh.
• By Road - Puri may be reached by bus from other cities on a regular basis. 2+2, Sleeper/Seater, AC, 2x2, Air Suspension Sleeper/Seater with LCD, Air Suspension Sleeper/Semi-sleeper, and Volvo AC buses are among the bus kinds offered from various cities across India.
• By Rail - Puri is an East Coast Railway station with direct express and superfast trains to cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Okha, Ahmedabad, Tirupati, and others.