| FACTS
& FIGURES
Population(1981)
: Town, 100,942; district, 2,921,045
Area : 10,159 sq km
Languages : Oriya, Bengali, Hindi and English
Best Time to Visit : October to March (June and July
to witness the Rath Yatra)
STD Code : 06752
THE ABODE OF
LORD JAGANNATH
 Puri,
situated in the eastern part of the state of Orissa,
is one of the four holy dhams of Hinduism and the hallowed
seat of Lord Jagannath. Washed by the waters of the
Bay of Bengal and embraced by causarina-fringed beaches,
it is located at a distance of 60 km from the state
capital Bhubaneshwar. It is a famous beach on the eastern
coastline of peninsular India. The famous Rath Yatra
or the Car Festival is held every year as a part of
the festival of the great Jagannath temple; it draws
good number of pilgrims from all over the world.
THE PAST
Puri was once part of the kingdom of
Kalinga, formed by Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire
in 260 bc. The Sabaras, a tribe belonging to pre-Aryan
and pre-Dravidian Austric linguistic group, inhabited
the region. The region came under British rule in 1803.
The Raja of Khurda rebelled in 1804, and there was a
peasant uprising in 1817–18. The Orissa famine
of 1866 claimed many lives in Puri.
LOCATION
Puri has the Bay of Bengal and the rice-growing
alluvial plain on its east, Khurda district on its west,
Sambalpur on its north-west, and the state capital Bhubaneshwar
on its northern side. The forest area lying to the west
of Puri provides bamboo and sal. The district of Puri
encompasses most of the Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest
brakish water lake measuring around 925 km. Bhubaneshwar
is also located in Puri district.
FESTIVITIES
The Rath Yatra and Nava Kalebara are
the famous festivals of Puri. Both these events are
related to the reigning deity, Lord Jagannath. Commemorating
the journey of Lord Krishna from Gokul to Mathura, the
Rath Yatra is celebrated on the second day of the bright
fortnight of Asadha (June–July). The image is
placed in a heavy chariot and the efforts of hundreds
of devotees are required to move it. The journey takes
several days, and thousands of pilgrims participate.
Perhaps many people will be surprised to know that the
English word juggernaut, with its connotation of a force
crushing whatever is in its path, is derived from name
Jagannath, meaning "lord of the world."
The Nava Kalebara festival is an immensely significant
religious ritual, wherein the idols of the three deities—Jagannath,
Balabhadra and Subhadra— change their external
forms. New idols are carved out of specially sanctified
chandan/neem trees, following certain regulations. The
'daru' (wood) is then transported to the temple in full
regalia.
Puri Beach Festival is celebrated annually in early
November. Orissan craft, cuisine and cultural evenings
are the highlights of the event.
PLACES TO VISIT
The fine white sands of Puri beach and
the roar of the breakers rolling in from the Bay of
Bengal have fascinated visitors throughout the years.
The local fishermen, with their catamarans and wide-brimmed
cane hats, are also expert masseurs. With excellent
hotels and guesthouses, the Puri beach is an ideal holiday
spot.
However, what attracts most the tourists to this place
is the majestic temple of Jagannath. Even before one
enters Puri, this 65-meter-high structure makes its
presence felt. The 12th-century temple built by Chodaganga,
to commemorate the shifting of his capital from south
to central Orissa, stands in a compound on the Nilgiri
Hill, and is surrounded by a 20-foot-high wall, within
which lie several smaller shrines. A traditional porch,
shrine, hall of offerings and a pillared hall of dance
form the rest of this temple. Unfortunately, Jagannath
Temple is not open for non-Hindus, who must contend
themselves viewing it from a vantage point, outside
its precincts.
Another place worth visiting is Ananda Bazar, the largest
food market in the world.
Gundicha Mandir is one of the temples closely related
to the festivity of the Rath Yatra of Puri. It is a
holy place where God resides for seven days during the
festival. This garden is regarded as the place of lord
Jagannath’s aunt.
Balighai Beach, 8 km from Puri, is at the mouth of
the river Nuanai. It a popular picnicspot, fringed by
lovely causarina trees.
Sakshi Gopal (literal meaning, the witness lord) is
a place 20 km away from Puri where a life-size image
of the child Krishna is being built. This was to commemorate
the incident when lord Krishna came to this place as
a witness to clear out a dispute of two Brahmans. Later
it is said that lord liked this place so much that he
decided to stay there for a while.
Another site to give a visit is the magnificent Atharnala
Bridge, constructed during the 13th century.
Besides the places of the city, there are a number
of tourist sites outside the city boundary.Balighai,
also known for its sea turtle research center, is located
just 8 km away from the temple town.
Chilika Lake, the largest brakish water lake of Asia
measuring around 925 sq. km., is situated just a few
kilometers away from Puri and is a place worth visiting.
It has been affectionately called as the “honeymooners’
paradise” and “breakfast island.”
The simmering blue water makes it an excellent site
to have a break from the monotonous daily routine.
For someone interested in local handicrafts, a visit
to the small village of Pipli near Puri is a must. This
place is famous for the appliqué work of the
traditional Orissa style.
Another craftsmen’s village is Raghurajpur. This
small village is situated just fewkilometers from Puri.
This place is famous for the Patta Chitra art of Orissa.
Besides these, Brahmagiri, a holy shrine; Satyabadi,
another shrine and temple; and Baliharachandi are some
of the sites to visit near Puri.
BARGAIN
To indulge in bargaining of some traditional
items of Orissa, one should go to the Bada Danda, the
grand road where one can easily get some of the typical
items signifying Orissa in general and Puri in particular.
GETTING THERE
The nearest airport is at Bhubaneshwar (60 km), the
state capital. Private buses and minibuses to Puri are
also available from Bhubaneshwar, Konark, Berhampur,
Taptapani, Sambalpur and Calcutta. Puri is also linked
to other cities in Orissa and the country by train.
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