Hotel in Puri Archives - Hotels in Puri Blog

Puri in Odisha is both a spiritual as well as a relaxing getaway for people not only staying in the country but many more who come from abroad. Most of those coming here get fascinated by the legends of Lord Jagannath and look forward to spending a good amount of time on the beach, swimming and not to forget; visiting some epic places in the nearby areas. You can plan on visiting the world famous Sun temple in Konark and if planning to visit in the winter months then going to Chillika can be a treat. This brackish water lake becomes home to thousands of migratory birds and the lake comes alive with these colourful avian who fly down from far off countries. But apart from this particular time you can go for boat rides and enjoy the beauty of the place at any time of the year.

Coming to Puri is a fairly easy process as it is well connected by railways and those wanting to fly down can come to the nearest airport in Bhubaneswar which is just 60 kilometres away from the main city. One can plan to drive across the golden triangle that connects Puri, Bhubaneswar, Konark and don’t forget to stop and admire the sea on the marine drive or to quench your thirst with some tender coconuts which are plentily available on the roadsides. The city has an old world look and the numerous temples and houses bear the stamp of architectural designs of the yore. The majestic temple of lord Jagannath is the cynosure of all eyes and those who don’t get a chance to visit the temple make it a point to come during the annual Rath Yatra which gets celebrated during the months of June-July. For this year the festival is scheduled to begin in the first week of July. As there are more than a million footfalls during this time of the year getting hotel reservations become a problem.

Being city that thrives on tourism there are numerous hotels and Puri Beach Resort but if you want to spend time in a place that is luxurious, close to the beach and will give you the best possible deal then you can go ahead and book your accommodation in hotel Holiday Resorts. This hotel is highly recommended by trip advisor and also by those who have stayed here. You can book your rooms online and as they offer a 360 degree view of the whole place you can check out all the rooms before settling for the one that will best serve your purpose.

The hotel offers an all-inclusive package deal and those who opt for the privilege membership card get attractive discounts which make it all the more economical. The private beach next to the Puri Resort Booking is free from crowd and what can be better than to cool yourself in the clear blue waters, relax on the beach with a book, play beach ball with your friends or go for a romantic walk with your partner along the shore. The other facilities here include two multi cuisine restaurants, bar and a bakery shop which will tickle your pallet with a variety of dishes. For relaxing inside the hotel there is no dearth of options as there are swimming pool, gym and a gaming zone to keep the young ones occupied. The Spa here is just the place for your body and apart from the different massage they have a specially curated one for those suffering from jet lag. The hotel is a great place to have fun and along with that their banquet rooms and the conference room can be booked for meeting, weddings and other functions. So go ahead and book your rooms in Holiday resorts and have a holiday that will detoxify you both physically as well as psychologically.

For more details about Restaurant in Puri just move on www.puriholidayresort.com

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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A village named after Manika, a milkmaid who had supposedly sold yogurt to Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra when they were on their way to Kanchi. The word ‘Manikapatna’ is a combination of two words ‘Manika’ and ‘Patana’. ‘Manika’, the name of the milkmaid and ‘Patana’ means ‘Village’.

Manikapatana, alternatively spelt as Manika Patna, is located in the Puri district. It is quite close to the mouth of the Chilika lake.

Manikapatana, one of the Excavated Archeological Sites of Puri district, is in Krushnaprasad block from which the remains at mediaeval period are found. This village is also famous for Bhabakundalesvara Temple.

Bhabakundaleswar temple is located on the left side of the National Highway 203 leading from Puri to Satpadabranching at a distance of 3.3 kilometers from Dahikhia square and situated at a distance of half kilometer from the Bay of Bengal. It is located around 44 kilometers from Puri. The temple is facing towards east and the presiding deity is a Siva Linga made of black chlorite stone. Festivals like Sivaratri, Kartika Purnima, Ekadasi, etc are observed in this temple with great devotion. Marriage, thread ceremony, engagement, etc are also observed here.

One of the most popular stories related to Lord Jagannath is that of kanchiavijana (or journey to Kanchi). Once the King of Puri, Purusottama Deva in the Gonga Dynasty, went to the South India and reached a kingdom called Kanchi. There he met the daughter of the King of Kanchi – Padmavati and both came to know each other. Later the King of Puri was invited by the King of Kanchi who, along with his queen was very pleased with Purusotama Deva and offered marriage proposal for their daughter. Pursottama Deva was very happy with the proposal and accepted gladly. Later the King of Kanchi sent his minister to Pursottama Deva with an official proposal for Marriage. It was the time of RathaYatra (Car Festival), so King Pursottama Deva asked the Minister to stay for few more days so that he can enjoy the Famous RathaYatra of Puri. The Minister was quite happy to see the same. On the Rathayatra day thousands of people gathered to see the festival.

The Minister of Kanchi saw that King Pursottama is standing in front of the chariot with a broom in his hand. After sometime he started sweeping the area where the chariots were kept. The Kanchi minister felt very bad by seeing this activity. He was very angry with this act of the king and returned back to Kanchi immediately and said everything to the king, stating that how can we put the hands of our princess in the hands of a sweeper who sweeps the road.

The King of Kanchi without understanding the situation agreed to the minister opinion and decided that he would certainly not give the hand of his daughter in marriage to one who performs the vile work meant for an untouchable. After this the King of Kanchi organized a Swayambara ceremony where he invited every suitable man from everywhere except King Pursottama Deva. Hearing this Pursottama Deva felt very bad and decided to challenge the King of Kanchi for a war.

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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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Puri has a very wide and distinctive selection of handicrafts. Best known is probably the gorgeous applique work of Pipili. Pipili is on the way from Puri to Bhubaneswar. It is 40 kilometers from Puri, at the junction where the Konarkroad branches from the Bhubaneswar to Puri road. It is a small village. On the main road at Pipili there are many shops selling Applique work products, tourist visiting Puri buy these products from Pipili. It is famous in Odisha as well as in India for it’s applique craft. Each and every family of the village engaged themselves in this applique craft. Most of the people of the village depend on this applique craft for their day to day life. Applique, a French term, is a technique by which various cutting pieces of coloured fabrics are applied to the surface of another foundation fabric. Applique works of Pipili is also known as patching cloth design and in local language this handicraft is known as ‘Chandua’.

Samiana(Canopies) and chhatris(umbrellas) that bear magnificent appliques and designs of great artistic skill are manufactured at pipili and Puri. It is a hereditary craft. Brightly coloured patches of fabric, cut into animal and flower shapes, are sewn onto bed covers, cushions, wall hangings etc. The art form typically depended on four basis colors, red, white, black and yellow to produce a striking effect. In recent years, green too has been applied vigorously enlivening the craft even more.

Any type of worship or sacrificial work is incomplete without pipilichandua. Canopies, chhatries and tarasas made in applique process are increasingly finding place in festivities. In every religious geity be it the car festival or the minor event of festive, shamiana or the canopies are displayed significantly. Wide scale use of shamiana are seen in the various festival of Lord Jagannath. Since the Lord’s rituals are more of the nature of the daily routine of human being, fan, umbrella of applique work are in rampant use to save the deity from the scorching heat of Sun or the rough weather. In chandanyatra the entire procession is taken out displaying and covering the deities with chattris of applique work. Further, the chandua another marvel of applique work has become a household commodity in almost every religious work.

Besides used in the religious function, with the touch of a little modernity, garments of varied designs are also made with it. Ladies item like frock, blouse, purse, handbags etc. are in great demand among tourists. Screens of bigger size with applique touch are also been made depicting the different characters of religious myth for interior design or decoration of houses.

Make sure you visit this hub of arts and crafts when visiting Puri. For more such interesting places near and in Puri, stay tuned with Puri Holiday Resort – your accommodation partner in Puri.

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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.

Puri, the abode of Lord Jagannath, is one of the richest places when it comes to the presence of some ancient, age old and important sacred temples. The temples are not only significant from religious point of view, but also lend traditional, cultural and historical importance.

One of the sacred tourist destinations of Puri, Barala is a village of religious importance where a famous Shiva temple is located. Barala is 11 kilometers from Sakhigopal, which is 22 km from Puri, on the Puri-Bhubaneswar National Highway 203 branching at Pattanayikia chowk, ahead of Chandanpur. This Shiva temple is knwon as BaralaBalunkeswar Temple or BaralaBalunkeswar Shiva Temple. This temple is one of the most important Shaiva shrines of Puri. The exact geographical location of the temple is LONGITUDE 85⁰ 50’ 52” E LATITUDE 19⁰ 58’ 29” N.

Balunkeswar Shiva Temple is facing towards the east. The innermost chamber of the main temple preserves a Shiva Linga which is the presiding deity of the temple. Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Lord Balunkeswar. Flowers, sandal paste, milk, Curd (yoghurt), honey, beetle leaves, coconut water, bilva leaves, etc. offered to Lord Balunkesvara throughout the year. This temple also houses 25 small shrines enshrining of images of Durga, Khshetrapala, Vairabhi Annapurna, Ardhanariswara, Damodara, Gopal, Narasimha, Ambika, and Parshwanath (Jain) images. Famous Festivals like Mahashivaratri, Sitalasasthi, Sankranti, Ekadasietc are observed here with great devotion. On the day of Mahashivaratri thousands of devotees from far and near arrive at the temple to offer their prayer to Lord Balunkeswar to get His blessings. Marriage ceremony, thread ceremony and engagements are also observed in this temple.

The architecture of the Balunkesvara Temple is novel with Vimana (Main Temple), Jagamohana (Entrance Hall) and Natamandapa (Dancing Hall). The temple is surrounded by a high wall with Sinha dwara (Lion’s Gate) on the east. There is another entrance on the southern side of the temple. Images of Goddesses Ganga and Yamuna are carved on the main door of the dancing hall. Lord Ganesha image is found on southern entrance of the jagamohana. Lord Narasimha and Lord Hanuman images are also available in the temple. The temple is under the care of Endowment Department of Government of Odisha.

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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.

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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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.

Visit more such interesting places while staying with us at Hotel Holiday Resort and know Puri in the best manner ever. www.puriholidayresort.com

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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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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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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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.”

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 9^th century, with the central icon dating back to 6^th 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.

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 14^th 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.

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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