The internet is full of the most beautiful places to visit in the city of Puri. However, apart from the common and most visited places like Konark, Shree Temple, or Puri Beach, there are some other interesting places which deserve to be on your sightseeing list. These attractions though lesser known but reflect the originality and history of Puri from diverse angles and would enlighten you with some forgotten marvels of Puri as well. So here we begin:
Atharanala Bridge Puri
It is a monument of National Importance (N-OR-64) and is situated over the stream Musa at the entrance of Puri city. As per the legends the bridge was to be built by King Indradyumna, but its construction was halted as the lOrd Jagnnath offered the heads of his eighteen sons into the water of the river. It is also believe that of a non-Hindu is cught trespassing into the Jagannath Temple, all the Prasad has to be thrown away from this bridge into the stream. Atharanala Bridge is made of laterite and lime mortar with ashlar masonry building technique, in medieval architectural scheme of pillars and arches. The façade is decorated with reliefs of deities, people, nayikas, genre scenes and floral decorations: Brusaarudha Siva, Ekapada – Bhairava, Ardhanarisvara, Parvati, Gajabhisekha Laxmi, Durga Mahisasuramardini, bharabahaka, people playing musical instruments, sakha mouldings, Kartika, Navagraha panel, lotus medallions, elephant figures and boar hunting scenes.
Puri Lighthouse
If you are fond of catching beautiful sunsets with panoramic ocean in your view, the lighthouse located on the Puri Marine Drive Road is the best place. You can climb the stairs and watch a marvellous scenery of the Puri city as well. There is an entry fee but is it nominal.
Raghurajpur village
This is the village where you can spot the most exotic, beautiful and incredible chitrakari or art. Pattachitra is one of the most famous art work of this village and one must surely visit it to know about the true traditional culture and art-form of Odisha. The craftsmen still continue to use traditional methods of creating marvellous decorative art work. The village is located amidst the beauty of nature with coconut groves all around and is also the home of Gotipua Dance troupes. It is just at the distance of 14 kms from Puri and makes a wonderful place to visit.
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