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As the winter sets in, the plan for picnics and tripping starts buzzing among the travellers. How fun can it be to go to places with a gentle wind, acoustic waves and a touch of sacredness? We can find all these attributes in the holy pilgrimage city, Puri.

Planning To Go To The Beaches? On This Vacation, Plan A Trip To Puri!

Puri is one of the four’ dhammas,’ the ‘abodes’ of the gods. In the east, on the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Odisha, is Puri, where the great temple of ‘Jagannath’ is situated. Being One of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus, it attracts many devotees towards itself.

Why Puri?


Puri is believed to be the final resting place of Lord Vishnu, and Unsurprisingly, it has become a very important place of worship for the Hindus. The Jagannath Puri temple was constructed in the 11th century and is mostly famous for the Rath Yatra worldwide, from which the English language got the derivation of the word ‘juggernaut.’ Not only for its sacred culture but also because its beaches fascinate great crowds worldwide.

Puri Beach As A Serene Beauty!

The splendid beach stretches up to seven km and is a round-the-year destination for both domestic and international travellers. Visitors can enjoy the sunrise and the sunset, sunbathe, sit back on the beach, watch local fishermen pulling their catch or mending their nets, play with the waves, and listen to the rhythmic rendition of the striking waves. Puri Beach is considered safer than other beaches in the country as it does not face high tide and undercurrent very often.

Odisha is considered ‘India’s Best Kept Secret, ‘with a 500 km long coastline, mountains, lakes, natural biodiversity, and rivers. The diversity which is offered by this state is unmatched. Puri has become the travel destination for all localities and foreign travellers. Puri beach has also been felicitated as the Golden Beach and Blue Flag Beach by the World Bank-funded Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP) of the Forest and Environment Department, Government of Odisha and The Blue Flag Programme for beaches and marinas is run by the international, non-government, non-profit organisation FEE (The Foundation for Environment Education) in Denmark, which started certification of Blue Flag beaches in 1987 and in the year 2020, Puri beach got its certification. The beauty of Puri beach is serene and magnificent.

 

Where To Stay?

The visit to Puri should maintain the stay, and you can get The Magic Of Best Resort in Puri Beach, Always the Right Choice only at the premium’ Holiday Resort’. The resort is alongside the beach, where you can have a sublime stay. The resort offers exotic dishes with its fusion of Indian and Chinese restaurants. They have a swimming pool for adults and children, where you can spend quality and fun-filled time with your family. The holiday resort is the best choice if you want to relax and rejuvenate your mind and body with their wellness SPA.

If you plan to visit Puri on your next vacation, don’t forget to stay at the best luxury resort in Puri and have a great experience ahead.

Puri Foods

The number of delicacies that Puri can serve you is innumerable. Starting from the street food, local dishes from the local eateries to Puri restaurants that offer international menus, the choices are multiple. The famous Jagannath Bhog or Prasadam is the highlight of this town in Odisha. So, what to eat and where can be a difficult question to tackle with when you’re at Puri.

But, here we are to your rescue! We’ve a list of the delicacies and eateries that are totally unmissable.

  1. Jagannath Bhog

The Prasadam served at Jagannath temple is a must-eat when you visit Puri. It is cooked in seven pots, one kept on top of the other but, here’s a strange fact; the pot on the top gets cooked first followed by the second and so on. Sounds interesting, isn’t it? That is one of the specialities of Puri Jagannath Prasadam. The taste will linger in your minds for years to come keeping you craving for more.

It is the holy food for Odias and devotees worldwide and is available at the Lord Jagannath Temple at Puri.

  1. Indian Food

If you’re looking for the local Indian style dishes, there are many Puri restaurants which you can look for. The Wildgrass Restaurant, Bhojohori Manna, The Gajapati Restaurant and Golden Green are some of the very well known eateries.

Gajapati Restaurant is perfect for people looking for vegetarian and vegan dishes.

If you want to try non-vegetarian food, the Maachha Besara (deep fried Rohu Fish in Mustard Gravy) and Chingudi Kassa (Spicy Shrimp dish) are a must. The local eateries specialise in the Odia style food. There are also many restaurants near Puri beach that serve food local Odia and Indian style, like Puri Beach Resort. You will keep licking your fingers, trust us!

  1. Chinese Cuisine

Some people obsess over Chinese Food! We do too! So, are you looking for a hotel in Puri that serves Chinese delicacies? You’ll love Chung Wah restaurant! It is the one-stop solution for Chinese food admirers. It serves dishes that you’ll never be able to get enough of. It will take your taste buds on a wonderful ride.

You can also try the restaurants near Puri beach as almost every hotel in Puri serves Chinese dishes.

  1. Seafood

Being a town on the Bay of Bengal, Puri is popular for its seafood. There are many seafood restaurants in Puri that specialise in making these delicacies. Wildgrass Restaurant is the best place to enjoy these luscious items with eclectic flavours.

  1. Puri Cheesecake

Known as Chena Poda in the local language, it is a dessert the locals swear by! It is a baked item prepared in ovens or tandoors. It is a special food item that you will find nowhere except Odisha and especially Puri. It is basically cheese curd that will straight go to your heart, not just your tummy!

Next time you visit Puri, make sure you relish these mouth-watering foods! You will certainly come back for more!

Stay Tuned with Hotel Holiday Resort at www.puriholidayresort.com to gather all the information about Puri.

Puri Tours

Travelling to Puri? You will need a guide to help you plan out your stay and make your trip an unforgettable one. Need not worry! We have an entire list of things that you can do while you’re at Puri.

But first, let us give you a quick read-through about Puri, one of the most stunning spots in Odisha. It is a city in the state of Odisha, situated on the Bay of Bengal, 60 kilometres to the South of Bhubaneswar, the capital of the state. It covers an area of 16.33 square kilometres and is famous for the Jagannath Temple, a revered pilgrimage destination or as they call it, a Char Dham temple and the long sandy Puri Beach.

Now, let’s move on to our travel guide on the top things to do in Puri which will help you discover the best shopping destinations, eateries, adventure and fun activities in Puri.

  1. Lord Jagannath Temple

When in Puri, one cannot miss the opportunity of visiting the Lord Jagannath Temple. It is located in the heart of the city and is the visitors’ total favourite! Here you’ll be able to learn about the culture and history of Lord Jagannath and the architecture of the temple will leave you spellbound. If you visit Puri in the month of June-July, you can also see the world famous chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, the Rath Yatra.

If you book a room in a hotel in Puri that’s near to the temple, you wouldn’t have to spend much time travelling.

  1. The Puri Beach

A holiday in Puri is incomplete without visiting the royal golden beach. You can sit back and relax all day and enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of the spot. Sunsets at this point look magical! The sparkling waters will convince you to get up and get playing. Trust us! It is the perfect spot to relax and have a fun time with your family.

There are many luxury hotels in Puri facing the beach. So, if you choose to stay in any one of them, make sure your Puri hotel booking includes a sea-facing room. You’ll enjoy the view no matter what time of the day it is.

  1. Gundicha Temple

Known as the Lord Jagannath’s Garden House, the Gundicha Temple is located just 3 kilometres away from the Jagannath Temple at the end of Bada Danda, the pathway for Rath Yatra. The temple has huge walls made of sandstones that are grey in colour. It is famous for the garden that is built in its middle which is known as God’s Summer Garden. The insides of the temple and the garden are so beautiful you’ll always want to come back.

Some Puri holiday hotels include special trips to the Lord Jagannath and Gundicha temples. So, you can always use that opportunity to travel to these attractions. Puri Beach Resort is one of the luxury hotels in Puri that tend to the visitors in the best way possible. You can look for this particular hotel if you want a Puri resort booking for your holiday.

  1. Narendra Sarovara

The sacred lake located to the North-East of Lord Jagannath Temple is considered to be very special to the followers of Lord Jagannath. It has an island in the middle of the lake dedicated to the three deities, Lord Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra. The lake is famous for Chandan Yatra, wherein Lord Madan Mohan takes a ride on a boat called Chapa. This festival is usually held in April-May on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. On this very day, the construction of the chariots for the three deities for the festival of Rath Yatra begins.

  1. Sudarshan Crafts Museum

Visiting the Sudarshan Crafts Museum must anyhow be in your to-do list when you’re in Puri. It was started in 1977 by the famous sculptor and artist Shri Sudarshan Sahoo and is located on the Station Road. Inside the museum, you’ll find the sculptor’s works like wood carvings, stone works fiberglass works, paintings, handicrafts and more.

Shri Sudarshan Sahoo and his wife also run a Gurukul system to teach budding artists how to fine-tune their skills and showcase their talent in the entire world. This is one of the must- visit locations in Puri.

  1. Chung Wah

If you’re wondering where to eat when you’re in Puri, you need to worry no more. Chung Wah is a restaurant in Puri that’s the most popular eatery out there. It is a Chinese restaurant and serves delicacies that speak directly to your heart. No doubt you’ll find a restaurant in Puri that serves good food, but Chung Wah is class apart!

  1. Main Market

Are you a shopaholic? You must head to the Flea Market or the Main Market in Puri. There are innumerable numbers of shops lined in the Main Market. You’ll mostly find religious items, handicrafts, soft wood items, sea shells, mythological paintings, traditional textiles and more. The market is usually crowded because of the amazing items on sale. You’ll love the experience of shopping at the Main Market in Puri.

Whenever you visit Puri, make sure you include trips to these tourist attractions to make your stay memorable.

Stay Tuned with Hotel Holiday Resort at www.puriholidayresort.com to gather all the information about Puri.

Mukti Mandapa

Located in front of the Nrusingha temple- on the southeren side of the Lord Jagannath Temple. Mukti Mandapa holds very special significance. The name Mukti Mandapa is formed by the combination of two words ‘Mukti’, which means freedom and ‘Mandapa’, which means platform.

It was built in 15th Century on the request of Queen Mahadevi, wife of King Mansingh of Jaipur.

What Is Mukti Mandapa

It is a council of Brahmin scholars that acts as a final judicial system in religious matters. It is headed by Shankaracharys of Puri Govardhan math on permanent basis. All the disputes that fall under religion are discusses and a final verdict is passed by the council of pandits. In ancient days, the matter was when put in front of the King, he used to call the council for discussion and the verdict was passed by the council itself.

According to some local beliefs, a person gets salvation and will be free from all their sins if he/she follows all the rituals as told by the scholars of Mukti Mandapa.

Apart from these duties, Mukti Mandapa is also involved in some significant rituals of the temple and Odia tradition. The yearly Odia calendar is submitted to the Mukti Mandapa for the approval before being published and made publically available.

The council also performs rites and rituals during the Nava Kalavera festival. The council is offered Mahaprasada after morning and mid-day dhupas.

Structure of The Platform where The Council Sits

The structure Mukti Mandapa is made up of black granite stone with height 5 feet and the area covered is 900 square feet. The shape of the platform is an elevated square and is open from all sides except for roof, which is at the height of 13 feet from the ground level. Total 16 pillars support the whole structure out of which 12 pillars are around the periphery and 4 are present in the middle section. The height if each pillar is 8 feet. These 16 pillars are believed to be the symbols of the sixteen Brahmin Sasanas (settlements or villages) established around Puri city by Ramachandara Dev, the first king of Bhoi Dynasty. A number of idols of different Hindu Gods and Goddesses adorn the platform.

Mukti Mandpa holds a very high respect and place. The council and the platform is believed to be a home extensive knowledge and experience and hence many people bow their heads and touch the platform to show their respect towards this valuable seat. The platform, no doubt has been adorned by a number of learned men and therefore deserves all the respect offered to it by devotees.

Stay tuned at www.puriholidayresort.com for more interesting information about Puri.

Holidays, even the pilgrimage ones, are incomplete without doing shopping. After all, we all love to take back some memories in form of souvenirs from the places we visit. Puri, apart from its religious significance owns rich cultural heritage that can be seen around in the local markets of the Puri, reflected in the wonderful collection of textiles and handicrafts. Weaving saris is a traditional craft of Odisha.

In Puri you would find many Government and private outlets dealing in textiles where shoppers flock in large numbers. Do check out the exquisite passapali, bomkai, sambalpuri and ikat saris while shopping in Puri. Handicraft items including palm leaf engraving, silver filigrees, horn work, pattachitra, coir products, metal ware, appliques, sea shell items, stone statues, wooden statues, papier mache masks and solapith are available at Government emporiums, private shops and bazars of the city. You can also find a wide range of utility products and decorative pieces in textiles including canopies, blinds, and garden & beach umbrellas.

Being a beachside destination, shells and oyster are available in abundance in Puri. Over the years the ace craftsmen have perfected the art of making artefacts out of shells and oysters. A variety of utilities, decorative showpieces are definitely a feast to eyes and may leave you spoilt for choice. Do pick up few sea shell items while shopping in Puri.

So today let’s unravel some of the best shopping destinations in Puri.

Utkalika

Odisha State Co-operative Handicrafts Corporation Ltd which is commonly known as Utkalika. Utkalika outlet is located in Grand Center market complex, near Jagannath Temple. At Utkalika you will find almost all varities of textile and handicraft items at resonable price including Applique Work, Art Textiles, Brass & Bell metal, Cane & Bamboo Craft, Dhokra Casting, Golden Grass, Horn Works, Palm Leaf Engraving, Paper Mache, Pattachitras, Sabai Grass, Silver Filigree, Stone Carving, Terracotta, Tribal Jewellery, Wood Carving. No bargaining is allowed here as this is a Odisha State Government owned shop with fixed price for all items.

Sudharshan Workshop

Sudharshan workshop is famous for stone carving and is located at the Station Road near Puri Zilla School and has a variety of items like stone & wood carvings of various religious deities & exotic sculptures, handicraft products and paintings.

Pattachitra Center

Pattachitra Center is famous for pattachitra& palm leaf engraving. It is located on Nabakalabara road of Puri. Though it is famous for pattachitra, but you will also find other handicraft items like stone statues, wooden statues and various types of paintings

Priyadarshini

Priyadarshini is located at V.I.P roard of Puri and is very famous for handloom items and handicraft products. Priyadarshini is one of the finest Odisha handloom woven in cotton and silk. Claiming to be Odisha’s top weaver’s, Priyadarshini will not disappoint you with its wide-range of collection including sarees and dress materials. Right from the traditional temple borders and geometric designs to the exquisite fabrics like Tusser, Sambalpur and Ikat named after the Odisha regions, the colorful variety is a treat to watch and elegant to drape.

Sun Crafts

Sun Crafts is located at V.I.P roard of Puri and is very famous for wooden Jagannath figures. You will find Jagannath figures in almost all shopping places in Puri, but the finishing and quality produced by the artisans at Sun Crafts is unmatchable. You can also place order for the figures as per your requirement and they will make it for you. You will also find pattachitras&plam leaf engravings here.

Grand Road (Known As ‘BadaDanda’ In Local Language)

Grand Road is the main road in front of Jagannath Temple’s lions gate. All the way down the Grand Road outside the Jagannath Temple, you will find shops selling rudraksha (holy seeds), sandalwood beads, images of Lord Jagannath, brass idols, paintings on coconut, wooden replica of chariots and other devotional items. You will find other shopping complexes like Grand Center, Sahoo Super Bazaar, Nayak Plaza, Suriya Complex, Jagannath Ballava Market Complex and Laxmi Market Complex on the Grand Road. You will find amazing collection of fancy apparels, cloth items, handicrafts and lovely souvenirs in these market complexes. You will find the same item with different price tags in these market complexes so please do bargain during shopping.

Sea Beach Markets

There are three major places near to Puri sea side where you will find most of the crowds, these three places are Penthokota area, area in front of Puri hotel and Swargadwara area. You will find most of the shops & stalls in these areas selling sea shell items made out of shells and oysters and handloom products. During evening, you will find lot of vendors moving on the beach and selling cronch shells and other decorative items. Sometimes you will get good price from these vendors as compared to shops for same item.

All these places will lend an excellent opportunity to peak into the rich heritage of Odisha. Outside main city Puri, Pipli and Raghurajpur are two famous villages known for extraordinary handicrafts.

At last, here comes a Shopping-Tip for Local Puri Market-BARGAIN!

Yes, do not forget to bargain to buy your choices at very reasonable costs.

Happy Shopping!

Know Puri Better – www.puriholidayresort.com

Puri Tours

General Information and Tips About Puri

  • The standard time in Puri is GMT + 5 ½ Hours
  • Govt of Odisha tourist offices are available at Railway station, Jagannath Temple, Sea Beach, Bus Stand and also in various tourist destinations.
  • The summer is very hot and humid at Puri. Do carry sunglasses, sunscreen lotion and a hat.
  • The winter is not too cold at Puri. Do carry light winter clothes with you.
  • You will find beggars in all tourist destinations, it is not mandatory to help them, try to avoid them as far as possible. Do not let them hassle you, and do not encourage them by giving them money.
  • Change currency only from official money changers.
  • Cyber cafes with Internet facility is available in some places of Puri.
  • Always respect religious shrines and places of worship.
  • Non Hindus are not allowed to enter into Lord Jagannath Temple.
  • In case of any trouble, immediately contact the nearest Police Station.
  • Make sure to remove your footwear when visiting a place of worship. All most all temples in Puri will not even allow you to carry leather articles like wallet, belt etc inside. You can deposit them in the temple shoe stand and collect it on your way out.

Safety Tips

  • While travelling in/to various tourist places of/around Puri in local buses, trains etc. be aware of pick picketers and snatchers. Though it is not a frequent activity but many cases reported every year. Never leave your luggage, briefcase or other items unattended.
  • Don’t keep your wallet in the rear pocket. Keep it in an inside jacket pocket or side trouser pocket.
  • All valuables and important papers (jewelry, passports, return tickets, etc) should be kept in your hotel’s safe deposit box. Never leave them unattended in your room. Avoid carrying large sums of cash on your person.
  • Don’t take the advice of taxi drivers for the purpose of accommodation.
  • You should be aware of the local laws and customs prevailing in India. This will help in making your trip hassle free.
  • Never ever purchase air/ rail/ bus tickets through strangers or unauthorized travel agents/ tour operators, also known as touts. They are not at all reliable. Buy tickets from the authorized centers only.

Health And Medication

  • Avoid drinking water from an unknown source. When in doubt purchase Bisleri, Kinley, Aqua Finaetc mineral water bottles from any shop.
  • Even when you are visiting restaurants or hotels, insist on bottled (mineral) water. You will not face much trouble as almost all the restaurants and hotels keep bottled water.
  • You can find vendors selling fresh coconut water everywhere in Puri.
  • Avoid foods that have been laid out in the open, avoid sweets and candies from local markets. Try and avoid spicy food, especially if you’re not used to it. Enjoy your food inside the hotels and restaurants.
  • Pharmacies or chemists are available in every place of Puri. In case you need to consult a doctor, ask for help from your hotel (most have doctors on call) or go to any hospital/clinic.
  • Never forget to carry your essential medication with you. The brand names can differ and your specific brand of medication may not be available in Puri.
  • Never eat cut fruits sold by the roadside vendors. Always eat fruits you can peel. Wash the fruits properly with water well before eating them.
  • Sun in Puri can be ruthless in the summer months. Keep a good sunscreen lotion and sun block cream to avoid sun damages.

For more details, you can contact the hotel management at Hotel Holiday Resort or visit www.puriholidayresort.com

Puri Tours

If you are planning to travel to Puri, here we are with complete travel guide to make your Puri Holidays relaxing, enjoyable and memorable.

Puri – Geographical Location

Puri is a city found in Odisha, India. It is located 19.80 latitude and 85.82 longitude and it is situated at elevation 16 meters above sea level.

Puri has a population of 170,841 making it the 5th biggest city in Odisha. It operates on the BURT time zone, which means that it follows the same time zone as Nowrangapur.

How to Reach Puri

There are many ways of getting to India and then to Puri. It is up to your choice if you want an expensive and comfortable way or an inexpensive and less comfortable means of transportation. There are some options available below how to reach Puri, please choose the way you find the suits to you.

By Air

Puri is 60 km from the domestic airport which is in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha. Bhubaneswar is connected by air with flights to major Indian cities like New Delhi, Calcutta, Visakhapatnam, Ranchi, Chennai and Mumbai etc. All major domestic airlines like Air Deccan, Jetlite, Kingfisher, Indian Airlines have daily flights to/from Bhubaneswar. The nearest International Airport is at Calcutta (Kolkata).

Travellers flying from Europe or America (east): The best way to reach Puri is to fly either to Calcutta (Kolkata), Mumbai (Bombay) or Delhi and then fly to Bhubaneshwar.

Travellers flying from Australia or California could fly directly to Chennai (Madras) or Calcutta (Kolkata) and then fly to Bhubaneshwar.

By Rail

Puri is the last point of South Eastern Railway. A major rail head on the South Eastern Railway, Puri has fast and superfast train connections to Calcutta, New Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai and other major cities and towns of the country.

There is an official Indian railways website where you can find all the necessary information, including time table and fares. You can also book tickets online. This website accepts all major credit cards.

Major Tourist Attractions

The Golden Triangle of East India includes Puri, Konark and Bhubaneshwar. This is also known as the glorious golden temple triangle of the Eastern India. This triangle shows the rich heritage of the state of Odisha. Each place has it’s own importance, culture and heritage.

Golden Triangle

PURI: The first link of Odisha’s Golden Triangle, Puri is the spiritual capital of the state and popularly known as Jagannath Puri, Nilachala, Nilagiri, Niladri, PurusottamKhetra, Srikhetra, Shreekhetra and SankhaKhetra, occupies a significant place in the map of torism and field of spiritualism of the country for its magnificent culture and striking beauty. Puri, popularly known as the Jagannath Dham, is one of the Char Dhams (Four most famous pilgrimage circuit) of India. The other three dhams are Dwarka, Rameswaram and Badrinath. The main two attractions of this city are famous Lord Jagannath Temple and finest long sandy Sea beach.

BHUBANESWAR: The Second link of Odisha’s Golden Triangle, Bhubaneswar is the capital city of Odisha. It is also known as the ‘City of Temples’. The main tourist attractions of this city are Lingaraj Temple, Mukteshwar Temple, Rajarani Temple, Bindusagar Lake, Khandagiri, Udigiri, Nandankanan and Odisha State Museum.

KONARK: The Third link of Odisha’s Golden Triangle, the Sun Temple of Konark, built in the middle of 13th century, is a massive conception of artistic magnificence and engineering dexterity. Designed in the form of a gorgeously decorated chariot mounted on 24 wheels, each about 10 feet in diameter, and drawn by seven mighty horses, this monument attracts domestic and international pilgrims and tourists in large numbers.

Stay Tuned with Hotel Holiday Resort at www.puriholidayresort.com to gather all the information about Puri.

Puri

There are many traditional old cultural institutions known as ‘Jagagharas’ in Puri. The ‘Jagagharas’ is aplace where certain activities such as bathing in ponds, playing cards, relaxing and spending time with friends are done. Most of these activities are carried out by males. The Kids and young boys get involved in body-building and wrestling.

Structure and Deity

A ‘Jagagharas’ ought to have a temple and a tank. In these temples, idols of Lord Mahavir Hanuman are worshipped. Lord Hanuman is considered as the symbol of celibacy, dedication and physical strength.

Establishment

The Jaga culture was established in ancient times. Several historical evidences say that ‘Jagagharas’ have played an active role as paramilitary organizations in earlier eras.

‘Jagagharas’ are not popular among tourists but make an important aspect of cultural heritage of Puri. These institutions were formed by Sangas- the group of people. In every street, one can easily notice one or two ‘Jagagharas’. Akhadas are said to be the apex bodies of all the ‘Jagagharas’. A GandamalaJagaos is one of the ‘Jagagharas’ located in KalikadeviSahi and another one is the Akhada at the Dakhinakali Temple. There are some 23 akhadas in KundeibentaSahi, which are collectively known as the PatharaAkhada.

Epicenter of Activities

‘Jagagharas’ are centers where the traditional equipment like bed for wrestling also known as the Phulka, woods of various shapes and sizes such as Mudgara, some musical instruments such as the Mardala and a tank with an open space is kept.

Dance forms such as Gotipua dance and the songs from odian culture are alsoperformed as Jagas. The sheltered trees, crystal clear peaceful water of the tanks and the cool relaxing ambiance serve the purpose of these ‘Jagagharas’. Saanga (friends), Sangeeta, and the Bhanga are known to be few mediums of having fun and getting entertained.

The procession of ChandanJatra commences from ‘Jagagharas’ only. All the members of ‘Jagagharas’ take bath in the auspicious Narendra Tank. Later on they all go to the Jamunagadhua after Krushnajanma. SahiJatra is street play which is performed during Rama Navmi.

For more interesting facts- stay tuned at www.puriholidayresort.com

Budhhist Monastery

Puri is a land of remarkable culture and tradition. Along with the main temple Jagannath, there are number of other places in the city and also spread in its adjacent boundaries. Pipili,Konark, Chilika are some famous place, but today we are going to explore a hidden gem- Kuruma.

Kuruma, a small village in Puri, is located at a distance of 8 kilometers to the south-east of the sun temple of Konark. Kuruma is alternatively spelled as Kurum. The place is famous for the ancient Buddhist site. This site was built between 9th – 10th centuries A.D. It is situated on the left side of the Konarka–Kakatapur road and can be approached by a road branching from the Bali Dokan chowk and is about 2 kilometers from the chowk. The exact geographical location of this village is LONGITUDE 860 07’ 24” E and LATITUDE 190 53’ 62” N. Scholars are of opinion that this was one of the sites containing Buddhist stupas described by HiuenT’sang.

The site was first reported by Brajabandhu Das, a local school teacher and subsequently excavated by Odisha state Archaeology from 1971 to 1975. Prior to this excavacation, a stone slab containing the beautiful image of Lord Buddha was found on the bank of a tank at one end of the village. Here Buddha is seated cross legged with right hand in Bhumisparsa mudra while the left hand placed over his left knee. The image also wears a beautiful crown and a beautifully carved necklace. Besides this Buddha image, other two images were also found near the tank. One of these figures is identified as ‘Heruka’. Local people call this image as ‘Dharma’ (the Sun God) and another image is identified as ‘Yama’ (the God of Death). This Buddhist monastery is having twelve blocks, three in each cardinal direction and an open large courtyard at the center.

The monastery is abandoned now but the images retrieved from the site now worshiped within a small shed. Tourists may visit the room of teacher Sri Brajabandhu Das near to the UGME school, where some of the excavated specimens like script on stone, ancient coins etc. are kept under his supervision. From archaeological point of view Kuruma is not vary famous, but from tourism point of view it is an important place due to its close proximity to sun temple of Konark.

Stay connected at www.puriholidayresorts.com to know more about interesting places in and around Puri.

Kakatpur is a small village in Puri District and is situated at a distance of 50 kms from Puri, on the Puri-Astaranga road. Situated on the bank of river Prachi, this temple is famous for Goddess Mangala. Goddess Mangala is the presiding deity of Kakatpur and is worshipped in this temple.

The Folklore

There is a famous story behind the evolution of the name of the deity as ‘Kakatpur’ Mangala and believed by the local people. Goddess Managla kept herself hidden under the deep water of river Prachi. Once a boatman was sailing his boat across river Prachi. At that time, the river was outpouring and flooded so he was unable to sail his boat to the middle of the river. He spent whole day and night but not able to sail his boat and during early morning, before the dawn, Goddess Mangala came in his dream and asked him to recover her from the water and to establish her in nearby Mangalapur village. The boatman dived into the water and able to find the deity from the bed of the river. Then as per the direction of the Goddess he established the figure of the deity in a temple in Mangalapur village. After this the boatman saw a black crow dived into the water and did not come out of the water for hours and days, the crow detained inside the water of river Prachi exactly in the same place from where he recovered the figure of Goddess Mangala. In local Odia language ‘Crow’ means ‘Kaka’ and ‘Detained’ means ‘Atka’. So by combining the two words it becomes ‘Kaka-Atka’, so during the course of time the Mangalapur village is known as ‘Kakat’ (Kaka-Atka) pur and the Goddess is known as KakatpurMangala.

Relation With Jagannath Temple

KakatpurMangala temple has a close relation with Lord Jagannath temple of Puri during the Navakalebara(Renovation of the Deities) festival. Old deities are buried under earth at the dedicated place inside Jagannath templeand new idols are created for Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra. The new idols are created from a sacred wood known as ‘Daru Brahma’ in local language. Nobody knows from where to find the sacred wood to create the new idols, so as per the tradition the priests of Lord Jagannath temple come to KakatpurMangala to pray the Goddess to help them to find the sacred wood. The priests sleep in front of the Goddess with their face down and then Goddess Mangala come in their dream and tell the exact location of the three sacred trees for the three deities. This custom has been performed from years together without any deviation. This shows the power and energy of Goddess Mangala and her blessings for her devotees.

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Daksinakali Temple

To the world, Puri is famous as Abode of Lord Jagannath. However, the city is dotted with some of the most beautiful temples and one can find followers of different deities.

Apart from Lord Jagannath Temple, Puri is also famous for its Sakta temples. In Puri there are several temples dedicated to Sakta deities such as Varahi, Ramachandi, Bhubanesvari, Harachandi, Daksina Kali, Shyamakali, etc. There is a small temple dedicated to goddess Kali at Bali Sahi. This temple is known as Dakshinakali Temple. It is situated towards the south-eastern side of the Lord Jagannath Temple on Bali sahi. Tourists can approach the temple by using the road leading towards Swargadwar from Singhadwar (Lion’s Gate) of Lord Jagannath Temple, on the left side of this road there is a diversion to Kalikadevi lane. After enetring this lane you can find this temple on the right side.

Daksinakali Temple is facing towards east and the presiding deity is Goddess Kali. The deity is chatrubhuja (four armed) and seated on a corpse. She is shown as drinking blood, with a sword and holding severed head of a demon in two of her hands. If Kali steps out with her right foot and holds the sword in her left hand, she is a Dakshina Kali. If she steps out with her left foot and holds the sword in her right hand, she is Smashan Kali (Kali worshiped near the cremation ground).

The deity is enshrined in a modern temple at a higher raised platform from the road level. Festivals like Kali Puja, Deepavali, Durga Puja, Kumara Purnima, Chaitra Mangalabara, etc. are observed in Dakshina kali Temple with great devotion. On the auspicious day of Kali puja thousands of devotees visit the temple to offer their prayer to Goddess Kali to get her blessings.

Dakshina Kali Temple has important religious associations with Jagannath Temple and it is believed that Daksinakali is the guardian of the kitchen of the Lord Jagannath Temple. Puranic tradition says that in Puri, Lord Jagannathis regarded as Daksinakalika. Goddess Dakshinakali plays an important role in the ‘Niti’ of Saptapuri Amavasya. Tourists come to visit Lord Jagannatha temple, also visit this temple.

At this platform, we try our best to bring the hidden gems of Puri. Stay tuned with us at www.puriholidayresort.com and catch the glimpses of this enchanting city with new and refreshed outlook.

The ‘Beach Festival’ of Puri is organized by the people of Odisha, the citizen of Puri, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) and sponsored by Department of Tourism (Govt. of India and Govt. of Odisha).

Puri Beach festival unravel the majestic grandeur of divergent art, craft & Culture from different states, particularly the ethnic pristine splendor of Odishan glorious culture heritage amidst the exotic ambience on the golden pastures of the Bay of Bengal. Top performers from other states have been invited to present their rich talents. That performance could see by the foreign and domestic tourists to attract them to visit again and again. The basic idea of Puri Beach festival is to present the art, crafts, culture, cuisine and tourism potential of the state on a single platform and to attract world focus on it. Further the motive is to promote Odisha in and outside of the country. A variety of sports such as beach kabadi by girls, country boat race among the nolias, kick-boxing, tea-kwno-do, wushe, karate, Indian style of wrestling, beach volley ball by both boys and girls, fire bonati and malkhamb are some of the attractions which would keep both the domestic and the foreign tourists busy and enchanted all through the 7 days of the festival.

Puri Beach Festival

Besides the sports events the other major attraction is the culture based program.Since Odisha is a place with varied culture, the different traditional functions emphasizing its culture are displayed in its wide form. Representatives from different part of the state participates and perform their own cultural theme which includes dance, song, orchestra etc. in a lively way. The great oddissi dance projecting the saga of widely accepted Ramayana, Mahabharata, Dasavatara, prahalladbadha etc. are performed by different established group in dance form. The marital art of Mayurbhanj is displayed in Chau nurtya.The paikas of Khurda who are known in the pages of history for their valor, are also reflected in the dance form by the traditional paikas as Paikanrutya. In addition to this, members from other part of the country & foreign as well takes part to show their cultural ability.

The major attraction which is exclusive is the ‘Sand Art’. Sand art is a new concept which is carved out from heap of sand. The different monumental structure of ancient India, are projected in sands. The famous picture of AlasaKanya or the tiresome lady which is found over the walls of ancient temples like konark, Jagannath temple is well shown in the sands.

The HRAO has taken step of presenting this festival to attract not only foreigners, but also a huge domestic tourists traffic who would be eager to come to this state on one platform. They would be able to enjoy our rich cultural heritage, handicrafts, handloom, cottage industries, and the lack of memories and moments that would be everlasting in the minds of the tourists who visit Odisha during the festival. HRAO:The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha may be just about over one and half decade old,being ‘born’ in 1984,but in its short life it has contributed in a most significant manner to the growth of the hospitality industry in Odisha.The growth of the HRAO is an index of the expansion of the hotel industry in Odisha.Today,there are almost 200 members of the Association and the membership is growing.HRAO was formed basically to help the members in running a smooth and successful business and to promote tourism in Odisha.

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Alarnath Temple

Lord Alarnath temple in Brahmagiri, around 25 km from Puri, is not a big tourist destination but a famous religious place for all Krishna devotees. It is explained that in Satya Yuga, Lord Brahma came and worshipped Lord Vishnu here on top of a hill. One day Lord Vishnu appeared and said, “I am very pleased with your worship. Make a four-armed Deity of Me holding shankha, chakra, gada, and padma (conch shell, disk, club, and lotus). The Deity should be made from a piece of black stone. Also install a Deity of Garuda”. Lord Vishnu also said, “This place will be called Brahmagiri (Brahma’s hill) because you have worshipped me here”. According to mythology, the rulers of Alwar in Rajasthan had established the temple here. The temple was later known as Alwarnath or Alarnath.

Long yesrs back (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 rest 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 visualised the appearance of Lord Jagannath in Alarnath and spent a long period in worshipping the deity here. It is believed that those who can not worship Lord Jagannath during his stay in the sick chamber can get the blessings of the deity if they visit the Alarnath temple. During this period the temple servitors offered holy porridge (rice pudding sweetened by jaggery), known as ‘Kheer’ in local language, to the lord. During anavasara period of every year thousands of devotees visit Alarnath temple to get the blessings of Lord Alarnath and to taste a pot of famous holy ‘Kheer’.

There is a beautiful myth about the ‘Kheer’ bhog. One day a child devotee prayed to the lord with great devotion and offered hot kheer. The lord in hurry dipped his fingers to take pleasure of the kheer and his upper right hand’s fingers got burn. It is clearly visible and on your request the Priest will also show you the brunt fingers. plain

n this temple Lord Vishnu is worshiped as Lord Alarnath. The deity has four arms. He holds chakra in his upper right hand, Lotus in his lower right hand, Conch in his upper left hand and club in his lower left hand. Lord Vishnu’s carrier eagle, known as Garuda, kneels at the feet of the deity with his hands folded in prayer position. The deities of Lord Krishna‘s queens Rukmini and Satyabhama are also find inside the temple. Deity of Lord Chaitanya is also found inside the temple. There is a stone slab in front of the deity which bears impressions from Lord Chaitanya’s body. When Lord Chaitanya first lay in full respect in front of Lord Alarnath, the stone below Lord Chaitanya melted from His blissful touch. There is a lake behind the temple where ChandanYatra (Sandalwood Festival) is celebrated for 21 days every year.

There is Goddess Lakshmi temple inside the Alarnath temple compound. The Goddess has four arms and looks very beautiful. Drashan of Goddess Laxmi gives a sense of inner peace.

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Jagannath Rathyatra 2018

Puri along with Bhubaneshwar and Konark marks the epicentre of spirituality as the area is dotted with a number of ancient old temples, which hold crucial significance in Hinduism.

Among all, Chakratirtha is an important pilgrim centre of Puri. It is situated towards the northern end of Puri town and at a distance of 3 kilometres from the Lord Jagannath temple. It is located on the right side of Chakratirtha Road, leading from Subas Bose Chowk to Penthakota, the fisherman village. At this place there is a temple dedicated to Lord Nrusingha. Local people know this temple in various names like Chakra Narasimha Temple, Chakra Nrusingha Temple and Chakra Narayana Temple. At this temple, a large Chakra, the devine weapon of Lord Visnu or Jagannath, is being worshipped in water in the sanctum sanctorum made of black granite with a statue of Lord Narayan at the centre, known as Chkranarayana.

The presiding deities of the temple are three images of Lord Nrusingha known as Abhaya Nrusingha, Chakra Nrusingha and Laxmi Nrusingha. These three different forms of Lord Nrusingha as worshipped at Chakratirtha have unique values in Hindu religion. The form of Abhaya Nrusingha represents Sri Balabhadra. The form of Chakra Nrusingha represents Goddess Subhadra and the form of Laxmi Nrusingha represents Lord Jagannath. In puranas, the first three gods of the universe, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswar have also found expression in the forms of Chakra Nrusingha, Laxmi Nrusingha and Abhaya Nrusingha respectively.

Significance

It is believed by local people that once there was a cyclone in Puri and the Neelachakra (the wheel at top of Jagannath Temple) was displaced from its location, flown across the sky and finally fell at Chakratirtha. It is also believed that the ‘Daru’ (divine log of wood for the creation of deities of Lord Jagannth temple during Navakalevara ) touched the ground at Chakratirtha for the first time coming through the sea. Chakratirtha has another spiritual significance as the abode of Goddess Mahalaxmi’s father is situated here.

Chakratirtha temple has close association with Lord Jagannth temple and every year the Agnyamala from Lord Jagannath comes to Lord Nrusingha. Narasimha Janma festival is observed in this temple with great devotion.

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Daria Mahavir Temple

A small sea side temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman is situated west of Chakranarayan temple in Puri. The temple is known as Daria Mahavir Temple. In local language ‘Daria’ means ‘Sea’ and Mahavir is another name of Lord Hanuman. The temple is located on the left side of the Chakratirtha road leading from Subash Bose Chowk to Penthakata. From the architectural point of view the temple is not so important but from the religious point of view, it occupies an important position in the cultural history of Puri. The exact geographical location of the temple is LONGITUDE 85050’67”E and LATITUDE 19048’03”N. The temple is facing towards east. The outer walls of the temple housed images of different Deities. The image of Anjana, holding a baby in her lap, is carved on the western side wall. There is a female divinities over a decorated pedestal on the northern side wall. The image of Lord Ganesha is carved on the southern side wall.

The presiding deity is a two armed Hanuman, holding a ladu (sweet) in left hand a gada (mace) in his right hand. Famous rituals like Pana Sankranti, Hanuman Jayanti, Rama Navami etc are observed in this temple. The temple is also known as Bedi Hanuman Temple.

Folklore – From where did the temple got its name

The temple has an interesting story behind the name ‘Bedi Hanuman’.

It is believed that Daria Mahavir protects Sankha kshetra Puri against the fury of the sea. It is Daria Mahavir’s duty to see that the sea does not cross its limits and enter the peripheral boundaries of Puri. But when the Jagannath Temple was built, Varuna, the God of the Sea, able to came to the Jagannath temple to pay his respects. In the meantime sea water entered the city, causing considerable damage to the temple. The devotees prayed to Lord Jagannath who asked Hanuman to explain how the sea entered the city in his presence. Lord Hanuman told that he was not present at that time and was left for Ayodhya without informing him. On hearing about Lord Hanuman’s unscheduled visit to Ayodhya, Lord Jagannath got his hands and feet tied with rope (bedi) and asked him to be vigilant on the sea shore day and night. Since his hands and feet tied with rope (bedi), he is known as ‘Bedi Hanuman’ or ‘Chained Hanuman‘. There is a popular belief that since then, the sea has not entered into the city.

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Markandeshwar Temple

The Golden Triangle of Odisha is adorned with innumerable temples. Some of these temples hold a very special significance and are historically, culturally and religiously are very important. Most often Jagannath Temple is the most famous and visited pilgrimage site in Puri, however apart from Jagannath Temple, there are few other beautifully carved out temples which should be included in your visiting-spots when travelling to Puri.

One such temple is Markandeshwar Temple in Puri.

Markandeswar temple is also known as Markandesvara Temple, Markandeya Shiva Temple and Markandeswara Mahadeva Temple. This temple is facing towards east and the presiding deity is a Sivalinga. This temple is connected with the rituals of Chandan yatra, Balabhadra Janma, Ashram Bije, Sital Sasthi, Kaliyadalan etc. of the Jaganath temple. Festivals like Janmastami, Risi Panchami, Rakhi Purnima, Sivaratri, Sankranti, Narasimha Chaturdasi etc. are also observed with great devotion at this temple. This place is one of the Pancha Tirthas of Puri and also one of the fifty two sacred Shiva places of the country.

Markandeya is one among the Pancha Pandavas. God saved Markandeya from a severe danger from sea. The place where God saved Markanda is known as Markandeya, the holy place, on that particular spot Markandeya remained on meditation for a long time. At this place a Shiva Temple was constructed by sage Markandeya. The ancient Markandeswar Shiva Temple is situated in the Markandeswar street by the side of  Markandeswar tank, to the north of the Jagannath temple. This place can be approached on the right side of Markandeswar road leading from Markandeswar chowk to Prui-Brahmagiri road. The exact geographical location of this temple is LONGITUDE 85049’94”E and LATITUDE 19048’62”N.

Markandeya Tank

Markandeya tank is an open structure and it enclosed within a stone wall made of dressed laterite blocks. The tank is rectangular is shape and 8.50 meters below the present road level. Its sides measure 350 feet on the northern side, 508 feet on the eastern side, 385 feet on the southern side and 542 feet on the western side. Bathing ghats are provided for the tourists in southern side of the tank. The tank is presently used for rituals as well as for normal bathing. Rituals like Pinda Dana, Mundan Kriya etc. are observed on the steps of the tank. The tank is fed by a natural spring from underground. The excess and waste water is discharged through an outlet channel in the north eastern wall. As a result the water level of the tank remains constant throughout the year. The exact geographical location of this tank is LONGITUDE 85048’94”E LATITUDE 19048’62”N.

Previously at the northern side of the tank there are seven stone images, each four feet high, kept over a platform representing the Sapta Matrukas or seven sacred mothers. These Seven Mothers are also accompanied by images of Lord Ganesha and Lord Virabhadra. I visited this temple on 02FEB2010 and found that the temple administration is creating a new temple for the Sapta Matrukas and all these images have already been shifted inside the under construction temple.

Few ancient stone inscriptions found on the steps to the tank and the Markandeshwar Temple, are of great interest to historians. These stone inscriptions pertain to Ganga dynasty. Both Markandeswar temple and Markandeswar tank can be dated back to the 12th century AD. Puri became an important center of pilgrimage by the 12th century. The history in Puri also proves that Sri Ramanuja visited Puri during 1107 and 1117. Sri Ramanuja was followed by Vishnu Swami, who is known to establish the Vishnuswami Matha, near Markandeshwar Tank.

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Aruna Stamba

The architecture of Jagannatha Temple is a marvelous piece of craftsmanship. The Kalinga style architecture, exhibiting the intricate and meaningful carvings enhance the beauty of the temple, which is already adorned by the presence of Lord Jagannatha and his siblings.

Apart from the main temple structure, the Aruna Stamba and 4 gates of temple also a significant meaning and place. Many times, the devotees who visit Puri first time or once or twice are not aware of the specialties and features of these structures and even may fail to notice the presence of these structures. Today, we will discuss the importance and special features of ArunaStamba and 4 gates of Shree Temple, in order to popularize these structures more and make them known to everyone who visits Puri.

Aruna Stamba

In front of the entrance to the eastern gateway there is the beautiful Sun Pillar (Aruna Stambha), which originally stood before the temple of the Sun at Konark and was shifted here by the Marathas. The Sun Pillar is a monolithic shaft of chlorite with sixteen sides.It is 25 feet and 2 inches in height,2 feet in diameter, and 6 feet and 3.5 inches in circumference. It stands on an exquisitely carved pedestal (made of chlorite) of 7 feet 9 inches square and 6 feet high, and has a capital on the top 2 feet high, over which squats the praying Aruna. The capital is formed of two rings surmounted by a series of lotus petals. The measurements thus give a total height of 33 feet & 8 inches from the ground to the top of the capital. In its present situation the pillar is about two part of the 13th century.

The Gates

In the temple of Jagannath there are four gates both in outer and inner enclosures. The eastern entrance of the outer enclosure is called Simhadwara or the Lion Gate. The entrance on the Southern, Western and Northern sides of the out enclosure are known as Aswadwara, Vyaghradwara and Hastidwara respectively. They are also called as Purbadwara, Dakhinadwara, Paschimadwara and Uttardwara according to their directions. Worshipping the gates also forms a part of the daily ritualistic service of the temple.The eastern gate is beautifully ornamented. Navagraha reliefs are carved on the architraves of all the gates.

  1. The Simhadwara or the Lion Gate has on each side a colossal crouching lion of the usual Odian make with a crown on its head, which gives the gate its name. In the proylaeum at the Lion Gate on the northern side there is the image of Patitapavana.In front of Patitapavana a small image of Garuda has been installed. The idols of phatyaHanumana, Radha-Krishna, and Nursimha have been installed in the inches of the side walls. Formerly the untouchables who were not allowed to go inside the temple used to offer their prayers to Patitapavana (Jagannath) remaining outside the Simhadwara. Inside the outer enclosure is the inner enclosure, approached by 22 flights of steps (Baisipahacha) from the eastern gateway of the outer enclosure. The width of the middle 15 steps varies from 5 feet and 10 inches to 6 feet 3 inches and the rise is 6 inches to 7 inches. The size of the remaining 7 steps is smaller both in length and width. The steps are made of felspar and Khondalite. The idols of Kasi-Biswanath, ramachandra, Nursimha and Ganesh have been installed on the southern side of the Baisipahacha.
  1. The Aswadwara or the Horse Gate has on each side a galloping stallion of masonry work with the figures of Jagannath and Balabhadra on their back in full military array. These sculptures depict the legendary Kanchi expedition of Jagannath and Balabhadra, and have been installed recently. The inner enclosure is approached by ten flights of steps, made of khondalite, from the southern gateway of the outer enclosure.

The images of SadhabhujaGouranga,Ramachandra, Gopala, BarabhaiHanumana and Nursimha have been installed in small shrines in the outer enclosure.Towards the eastern direction of it is the kitchen of Lord Jagannath, which can feed thousands of people at a time. The process of cooking done in the kitchen has some peculiarities.In the same over nine earthern pots are placed and cooking is done simultaneously.There are 200 hearths in the kitchen and 400 supakars work here daily.The present kitchen building dates from the reign of Divyasimha Deva (1690-1713 A.D.) and was built by a private person.The colossal image of Mahavir Hanuman is installed outside the temple enclosure to the east of Aswadwara.

  1. The Vyaghradwara or the Tiger Gate has on each side a figure of a tiger made of mortar. The inner enclosure is approached by seven flights of steps, made of khondalite, from the western gateway of the outer enclosure. The deities of Rameswar-Mahadeva, Sri Jagannath Dwarakanath,and Badrinath are installed in the outer enclosure in a shrine known as Chaturdham.

Flower garden have been set up both the sides from which flowers are collected for the daily worship of the deities. The shrines of Chakranarayana, Sidheswara, Mahabir Hanuman, and DhabaleswarMahadeva are located in this area.On the northern side, the NiladriVihar has been constructed which depicts the popular legends on Jagannath through models and paintings.

  1. The Hastidwara or the Elephant Gate had on each side a colossal figure of elephant, which is said to have been disfigured during the Muslim inroads. Subsequently, these figures were repaired and plastered with mortar and placed at he northern gate of the inner enclosure (KurmaBedha).

The inner enclosure is approached by thirteen flights of steps made of khondalite, from the northern gateway of the outer enclosure. The deities of Lokanath,Uttarani, Lakshmi-Nursimha, Baraha and Sitala have been installed in the outer enclosure. There is also the sacred Suna-Kuan from which 108 pitchers of water are taken for the ceremonial bath of Lord Jagannath during the SnanaYatra. On the western side of the outer enclosure, near the gate of the kurmabedha, stands a banian tree and on a raised platform, the favorKoiliBaikuntha or KaivalyaBaikuntha.During the Nabakalebara, the images of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are being constructed here.

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Gundicha Temple

Puri is one of the most fabulous places to enjoy the vacations and also seek blessings of Lord Jagannatha. Apart from the main Shree Temple, there are number of other temples that hold special significance and one such temple is Gundicha Temple, and is also known as Garden House of Lord Jagannatha.

This temple is located at the end of Grand road about three km north east of Jagannth temple and is marvellous piece of architecture with intricately carved structure all over in light-grey snadstone.

Relation to Lord Jagannath and Rath Yatra

It is during the Rath Yatra, that this temple becomes the centre of attraction as Lord stays in this temple for 7 days during Rath Yatra time. For rest of the year, the temple remains empty and can be visited by tourists.

Gundicha Mandira is also called the “birthplace” of Jaganantha Swami because here on a special platform called the mahavedi, a celestial carpenter carved the daru that manifested the Deities of Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra during the reign of King lndradyumna. This temple is named after King Indradyumna’s wife, Gundicha Maharani. In this area King Indradyumna performed one thousand ashvamedha yajnas.

During Ratha Yatra, Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva and Subhadra Devi, along with Sudarsana, leave Jagannath Mandira for nine days: one day for traveling to Gundicha, seven days spent there, and one day to return home. This Journey is known as to Gundicha Yatra, Nava Dina Yatra (“nine days Journey”), or Ghosa Yatra. It is most auspicious to have darshana of Lord during this time. Every year the Rathayatra culminates at this temple which is surrounded by lush gardens and tall cooling coconut trees. Fragrant flowers and shady trees create a Vrindavan atmosphere which Lord Jaganantha enjoys for 7 days before returning to Sri Mandira.

The cleansing of the Gundicha Temple – Gundicha-marjana – takes place the day before the Rathayatra festival as mentioned in Chaitanya-Charitamrita. Darshan of Jagannatha during His stay at Gundicha temple is known as Adapa Darshana. It is said in scripture that darshan of the Lord Jagannatha at Gundicha temple is equal to ten darshan at Nilachala Temple (main temple).

The place where Gundicha temple is situated is known as Sundarachala. Sundarahcala is compared to Vrindavana, and Nilachala, where Jagannatha recides, is compared to Dvaraka. During Ratha Yatra, Lord Jagannatha comes to Vrindavana, as the devotees are in the mood of residents of Vrindavana, begging the Lord to return with them.

Goddess Gundi

Some folklore suggests that main deity of the temple is Goddess Gundi, an avatar of Goddess Durga, who cures chicken pox.

Apart from these legends, there are few versions as well. Whatever the story may lie behind, but today the fact is that Gundicha Temple is one of the major attractions in Puri and also a must visit.

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Vimala Temple Puri

Puri holds a prominent place as a Hindu Pilgrimage site. With Lord Jagannath residing here, Puri attracts a lot of ardent devotees from all over the world to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath. However, Puri is not just one among the Char Dhams, but it is also regarded as an abode of Hindu Goddess Vimala, and therefore is highly regarded as Shakti Pitha.

Who is Goddess Vimala?

Goddess Vimala is regarded as tantric consort of Lord Jagannath and is therefore believed to be another form of Goddess Laxmi. It is believed that she guards the temple complex and devotees should pay visit to Goddess Vimala before seeking blessings of Lord Jagannath.

The importance of Goddess Vimala becomes instantly visible by the tradition of temple, which is based on an age-old legend- Food offered to Jagannath does not get sanctified as Mahaprasad until it is also offered to Vimala.

The Shrine

The temple of Goddess Vimala is located in the south-west corner of the inner enclosure of the Jagannath temple complex and on the western corner of the tower of Jagannath, next to the sacred pond Rohini kunda. Facing towards east, the temple is constructed of sandstone and laterite in typical Deua style of architecture.

Significance as Shakti Pitha

The Vimala Temple is considered to be one of  the most Shakti Pithas. The Shakti Pithas are the most sacred temples dedicated to Hindu Goddesses, and are ainly identified with Goddess Durga and Goddess Parvati.

A Wikipedia article dedicated to Goddess Vimala states that

“In Goddess-oriented worship, Vimala (Bimala) is regarded as the presiding goddess of the Purushottama (Puri) Shakti Pitha. Jagannath, a form of the god Vishnu/Krishna (Krishna is generally regarded as an avatar of Vishnu), is worshipped as the Pitha’s Bhairava. This is a departure from the usual tradition of Bhairava as a form of Shiva. So, in this temple complex, Vishnu–one of the Hindu trinity – is equated with Shiva, another of the trinity; this is interpreted to convey the oneness of God. In this regard, Vimala – generally associated with Shiva’s consort – is also considered as Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu. Conversely, Tantrics consider Jagannath as Shiva-Bhairava, rather than a form of Vishnu.”

Vimala Temple

The shrine may not be a palatial one, but certainly holds a crucial significance and is revered by Goddess-oriented Shakta and Tantric worshippers.

Festivals

Durga Puja and Vijayadashami are the two main festivals celebrated to revere Goddess Vimala

History of The Temple Complex

The present structure is believed to date back to 9th century, with the central icon dating back to 6th Century CE. Based on the architecture of the temple it seems to build under Eastern Ganga Dynasty. However, there are indications that a shrine would have been situated before the present structure, which somehow got destroyed and it’s the renovated version of the shrine. At some places, like the sculptures, especially the parshvadevatas (attendant deities), as well as the background slab of the central icon, reflect the Somavashi style and may be part of the original temple, on whose ruins the new temple was constructed.

The temple was renovated around 2005 and is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, Bhubaneswar Circle.

Those were the key features and interesting facts of Vimala Temple, situated in Jagannath Temple. Make sure to seek Goddess’s blessings while in holy town of Puri and stay tuned with Hotel Holiday Resort for more such updates of abode of Lord Jagannath.

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Ratha Yatra, also referred as Ratha Jatra or Chariot Festival is the most famous festival celebrated in Puri. It is the oldest Ratha Yatra taking place in India and the World, whose descriptions can be found in Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, and Skanda Purana and Kapila Samhita and takes place annually on Ashadha Shukla Paksha Dwitiya (second day in bright fortnight of Ashadha month.)

The festival commemorates Jagannath‘s annual visit to Gundicha Temple via Mausi Maa Temple (aunt’s home) near Balagandi Chaka, Puri. The significance of this annual festival can be known from the preparations that start well in advance as a huge crowd gathers in Puri on this holy day to catch the glimpses of their beloved Lord Jagannath.

Procession

The idols of Lord Jagannath along with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra steps out the temple sanctum and are placed in three richly decorated Rathas. From the main temple they are taken to Gundicha or Mausi Maa temple, where they stay for 9 days, before returning back to Shree Mandira. The whole procession is carried out in a joyful mood with loud music, devotional songs, and chants praising Lord Jagannath. The devotees flock Puri from all over the world to participate in this auspicious festival with earnest desire to pull the chariots of deities and even the hot and humid weather could mar their spirits of rejoicing the annual festivity. Sudarshan Chakra is also part of the procession.

Different kinds of sevaks are employed to offer various services to Lord and his siblings.

rath yatra 2018

The Rathas or Chariots

The chariots used to pull the deities are also considered very auspicious and every year new chariots are carved from wood of specified trees like phassi, dhausa, etc. They are customarily brought from the ex-princely state of Dasapalla by a specialist team of carpenters who have hereditary rights and privileges for the same. The logs are traditionally set afloat as rafts in the river Mahanadi. These are collected near Puri and then transported by road.

The chariots are richly decorated as per the prescribed and followed for centuries stand on the Bada Danda, the Grand Avenue. Covered with bright canopies made of stripes of red cloth and combined with those of black, yellow and blue colours, the huge chariots are lined across the wide avenue in front of the majestic temple close to its eastern entrance, which is also known as the Sinhadwara or the Lion’s Gate.

Lord Jagannath’s chariot is called Nandighosha. It is forty-five feet high and forty-five feet square at the wheel level. It has sixteen wheels, each of seven-foot diameter, and is decked with a cover made of red and yellow cloth. Lord Jagannatha is identified with Krushna, who is also known as Pitambara, the one attired in golden yellow robes and hence the distinguishing yellow stripes on the canopy of this chariot.

The chariot of Lord Balarama, called the Taladhwaja, is the one with the Palm Tree on its flag. It has fourteen wheels, each of seven-foot diameter and is covered with red and blue cloth. Its height is forty-four feet.

The chariot of Subhadra, known as Dwarpadalana, literally “trampler of pride,” is forty-three feet high with twelve wheels, each of seven-foot diameter. This chariot is decked with a covering of red and black cloth – black being traditionally associated with Shakti and the Mother Goddess.

Ratha Yatra 2018

This year, Ratha Yatra is falling on 14th July 2018. If you are interested in attending this grand procession in Puri, then it is advisable to make bookings in advance and collect all the necessary information before-hand so that you do not face any problem later on. As it is a very popular and grand festival, thousands of people travel to Puri. During this time of the year, Puri becomes one of the most crowded places in Odisha. Therefore, we at Hotel Holiday Resort offer the best services to our guests and make all the necessary arrangements for their visit to Puri during Ratha Yatra festival.

Hotel Holiday Resort makes sure that your stay during this time of the year is comfortable and enjoyable too. Contact us for any further query regarding the festival, tour and accommodation facilities and services. We would be happy to welcome you during Ratha Yatra 2018 and cater all your needs on your stay in Puri.

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The perfect combination of sea sand and sun, Puri beach located on the exotic coastline of Odisha, is one of the wonderful destinations for holidaying. This long stretch of beach features splendid sands and choppy waters, making it the ideal choice for surfing enthusiasts. Visitors can take a stroll, browse pearls and seashell souvenirs sold by local vendors or marvel at impressive sand sculptures, including the work of internationally recognized local artist Sudarsan Pattnaik along with many more other sand artists.

Private Beach hotel in Puri

Puri beach is a thrilling place to view romantic sunrises and sunsets. The golden sands and the thunder of the breakers appearing from the Bay of Bengal have mesmerized tourists throughout the years and are the synonyms to the beach. With splendid beach facing hotels and resorts, it has become an ideal location for visitors to spend lovely moments with your family or friends.

The annual 5 day Puri beach festival is held in the month of November every year. Cultural and traditional feasts presented during these days are a treat to watch due to the variety of the programs held. A firework competition is also conducted during this festival.

The usually secluded beach becomes crowded on occasions such as the beach festival as well as on ‘Kartik Purnima’ (the full moon day of the lunar month of Kartik). Hindus consider this day as auspicious and they gather at the beach in the early morning for taking a dip in the sea and pray to Lord Jagannath.

The sunrise and the sunsets, and the local fishermen wearing wide-brimmed cane hats with their catamarans are a welcome sight for the tourists. A ride on their boats is a daredevil experience. Since these fishermen are also good lifeguards, the risk during sail is minimum. Women in their traditional dress line the beach selling shell, wood and bamboo artifacts. Sometimes, amazing sand sculptures made by professional artists can also be seen on the beach. It is pleasant to take a stroll along the beach and to the nearby fishing villages along the coast.

There are restaurants and shacks which offer fresh seafood dishes, and also several beaches facing hotels and guest houses for a stay nearby. Due to the expansion of the surrounding commercial setups, the conservation of the beach is not up to the mark in some areas. But, overall the beach is an ideal place to spend a holiday for its beauty as well as its religious sanctity.

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