Tourist places in and around Jagannath Puri. Puri tourism presents countless temples to its travelers. The culture of Jagannath Puri is a symbolic representation of its history, architecture, literature, arts and crafts.
The state is famous for its architecture, temples and natural beauty. Jagannath Puri is a very delightful place to visit with family or friends, so here we are going to tell you about the major tourist places of Puri.
Visiting Places in Jagannath Puri
1. Jagannath Mandir
Jagannath Temple is one of the most popular temples in Puri temples. This temple of Puri is considered to be quite famous among people who believe in Char Dham in Hinduism in India. Jagannath Puri Temple, Badrinath, Dwarka and Rameswaram are considered the four most important centers for Char Dham pilgrimage for people following Hinduism in the subcontinent.
Jagannath Temple, Puri was established to pay homage to the God of the universe. Here you should not forget to take Mahaprasad, which is available as food to devotees here every day. This meal is cooked in one of the largest cooks in India. Many religious festivals are celebrated in this temple but especially the Rath Yatra is celebrated with great enthusiasm.
2. Konark Sun Temple
The three separate chambers of the temple are decorated with three images of the Sun God. These images are placed in the temple in such a way that the sunlight falls on them in the morning, afternoon and evening. This 13th century temple was built by King Narasimhadeva I and was completed by 1200 artisans in 12 years.
The temple was built as a horse-mounted chariot with 24 wheels. Now that this temple is in ruins form, this majestic temple is still considered an architectural wonder. This temple has a composition of a huge chariot which is decorated with seven horses and twenty four wheels. The Sun Temple received the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984.
The Sun Temple is a place that hosts the famous Konark Dance Festival every year. The 700-year-old Konark Sun Temple is one of the most famous temples in India. When people come to Konark during winter, the temple resonates with the sound of ghungroos of famous dancers from all over India due to the Konark Dance Festival.
3. Shree Gundicha Mandir
It is known for the Rath Yatra Festival. After Jagannath Puri temple, Sri Gundicha temple of Jagannath Puri is the second most prominent place of Lord Jagannath. This temple reflects the typical architecture of the Kalinga era. During the festival, when the idols of the Jagannath Puri temple are brought to the Gundicha temple, they are placed on a throne called “Ratnaveedi”.
Gundicha Ghar Mandir is one of the most famous temples of Puri. The popularity of Gundicha Ghar Temple of Puri can be well understood from the fact that it is often compared to the Jagannath Temple of Puri. It is also said that this is the same temple where Lord Jagannath used to stay here for 9 days to celebrate the festival of Rath Yatra.
And on this occasion, Balabhadra, Jagannath and Subhadra, who are believed to have three siblings, were welcomed by Gundicha by feeding them a special rice dish called ‘Podapitha’. This Jagannath Rath Yatra still remains very popular in Puri.
4. Markandeshwar temple
This architectural marvel was built in the 13th century. Markandeshwar Temple is an architectural marvel. An idol of Nataraja with ten hands is placed at the entrance of the temple. Small statues of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha are placed in the main temple. The corners of this shrine are decorated with the idols of various incarnations of Lord Shiva.
5. Loknath Temple
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and it is said that it was under a tank here where Lord Shiva was sitting hidden from Shani Dev. The natural spring flowing near the Parvati tank ensures that the water contained in this small square shaped container always has water. Devotees who wish to see it can see it one night before Shivaratri on the day of “Pankadhar Ekadashi”, when all the water is drained out so that the devotees can worship the linga.
It is believed that the divine grace of Lord Lokanatha takes away all the pain and suffering and people suffering from various fatal diseases are cured by prayer. Many popular mythological stories related to Lord Rama are also believed to be associated in this temple.
6. Narendra Tank
This 15th century tank is the largest tank in Orissa. There are many temples and an island is also situated in the center of the lake and there is a small temple named Chandana Mandapa.
7. Chilka Lake
This pear shaped lake is Asia’s largest internal salt water pond. There are fisheries and salt pans near the shore of the lake as well as some small islands. Chilika Lake has many rare species of flora and fauna. Many birds such as white-bellied sea eagles, flamingos, golden plovers can be seen at this place. This lake has the privilege of being one of the two places in the world where rare Irrawaddy dolphins can be seen.
8. Konark Beach
Konark beach is located near the famous Konark temple which is a clean beach. You should visit this beach during sunrise and sunset as this place becomes even more attractive with the golden rays of the sun.
9. Jagannath Puri Beach
People often take a holy dip in the holy water on the beach. The beach is also a canvas for the famous sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik Painting. Jagannath Puri Beach is counted among the most beautiful beaches in India. Situated in the Bay of Bengal, the beach of Puri offers a spectacular view of sunrise and sunset. During the festival, the beach has beautiful views day and night.
You should also participate in this festival because it gives a sense of lifestyle, culture and artistic skills of the local people. Apart from this, you can enjoy the local mouth watering dishes there. Travelers can also shop local craft works here.
10. Lakshmi Temple
This temple is in the vicinity of Jagannath temple, it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi invited Lord Shiva and Parvati to this temple to celebrate their marriage.
11. Ganesh Temple
This small temple inside the famous Jagannath Puri temple has a special type of Ganesh image of Natya-Ganesh. It is said that this Ganesh idol was gifted by the King of Kanchi. There is a small stone water pot made in front of the Ganesh temple called Rohini Kund. Though this temple is small, there is an influx of devotees here for prayer.
12. Balihar Chandi Mandir
The Balihar Chandi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is located 27 km towards the south-west direction of Puri, as you travel towards Brahmagiri and Satpad. This beautiful temple is situated on a sandy hill near the sea. Like other temples of Puri, this temple is also associated with the Lord Jagannath Puri temple and is due to the ritual held on the day of Mahanavami in Ashwina.
The idol of the goddess stands on the body of Lord Shiva in the Alidha Mudra and has a skull in one hand and a chopped head in the left hand which can be seen on the back base of the temple’s Rahapag. The temple is situated on the banks of the Bhargavi river, which makes it not only a pilgrimage place but also a beautiful area.
13. Balighai Beach
Balighai Beach, just 8 km from Puri, is located on the Puri-Konark Marine Drive road. Here you can see the calm waters of the river combined with the harsh sea. The magical atmosphere of this place attracts tourists from all over the country and it has also surprised many foreigners.
It is also the best place for rejuvenation and the tourists here have complete freedom to swim in the water and they can revive their body, mind and soul. Seeing clear water and walking on clear golden sand makes the mind very happy.
14. Alarnath Temple
Alarnath Temple, located in Brahmagiri, about 25 km from Puri, is a popular pilgrimage site for the devotees of Lord Krishna. It is believed that during the Satya Yuga, Lord Brahma used to worship Lord Vishnu on the top of a hill, and being pleased with them he asked him to make a four-stone idol of Lord Vishnu with a black stone that held the shank in his hands. , Standing holding chakra, mace and lotus.
In the Alarnath temple, Lord Vishnu is worshiped as Lord Alarnath.Garuda of Lord Vishnu, is seen kneeling at the feet of God and praying with folded hands. The queens of Lord Krishna, Rukmini and Satyabhama, and an idol of Lord Chaitanya can also be seen inside the temple.
A stone piece in the temple bears the imprint of Lord Chaitanya’s body and it is believed that when Lord Chaitanya first lay down to bow before Lord Alarnath, the stone lying beneath him melted.
15. Bedi Hanuman Mandir
The name suggests that the Bedi Hanuman Temple is a Hanuman temple tied to the chain and a small temple near the beach that is built on the west side of the Chakra Narayan Temple in Puri. Once, Hanuman, who was entrusted with the task of guarding Puri from the fury of the sea, went to Ayodhya without telling Lord Jagannath, then the sea water entered the city and damaged the temple.
To ensure security in future, Lord Jagannath tied Hanuman with chains and ordered him to be vigilant day and night. On the outer walls of the temple are paintings of various deities such as Anjana pampering the child sitting on her lap on the western direction wall, a divinity woman standing on the north facing wall holding a pillared post. Lord Ganesha’s paintings on the wall add to the cultural pride of Puri.
16. Goverdhan Math
It is one of the four major monasteries founded by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, its main objective was to bring together various groups of ascetics. This monastery is historically associated with the Jagannath Puri temple and Jagannath (Bhairava) and Devi Vimala (Bhairavi) are the main deities worshiped here.
In modern day activities Vedic education centers, a yoga school, training different types of athletes in the gymnasium, a dispensary to take care of the health of the pilgrims and the Jagannath Puri residents are treated free of cost and one The cowshed which is inhabited by about 70 cows is included.
17. Satpada Dolphin Sanctuary
Satpada Dolphin Sanctuary is located in the eastern direction of Odisha state and it is 50 km from Puri. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions of the state. Along with the beautiful dolphins, you also get a chance to see the beautiful sunrise and sunset. Only lucky people can enjoy watching the dolphins at the dolphin observation site.
It is a place where children love to visit and hence this place is a very worthy place to visit with friends and family. Here the motor boat facility has also been arranged by the Dolphin Motor Boat Association. The prices of these boats are also very economical. At the dolphin observation site, the motor boat engine is shut down to maintain peace. You can spend your time well by watching the dolphins in the morning.
18. Ardhsani Temple
Ardhasani Temple in Puri, Odisha is one of the major pilgrimage sites here. This temple covered in white color is a small but attractive site in the structure. Which is located 3 kilometers away from Jagannath temple. This Ardhasani temple of Puri reveals the mythological figures of Subhadra ji. According to the Skanda Purana it is said that Subhadra ji drank half the water of the flood to save the city
19. Raghurajpura Village
Raghurajpur has been given a special place in the cultural map of India. This small village in Jagannath Puri district of Odisha is known for its Pattachitra painters. The famous Odisha dancer Kelucharan Mohapatra is from this famous place. The village caters to craftsmen who can depict poetry on cloth, on paper or on dry palm leaves. God has enriched this land with many trees – cane trees, mango trees, coconut trees, jackfruit trees and many other tropical trees are found here.
The murals on the outer walls of the house detailing the scenes of the epic Mahabharata and Ramayana is a unique sight to behold. The houses are generally well arranged in two rows of face to face. A small temple in the middle of the village and a meeting place of a community called Bhagbat Tungi will be seen. This temple is dedicated to Bhusuni, the presiding goddess of the village.
20. Pipli
Pipli is a small village located near Bhubaneswar. The village is mainly famous for its handicraft art. The appliqué features shiny and beautiful Pipli crafts on various items such as handbags, umbrellas, shoes, clothes, wall hangings, pillow covers, cushion covers, sheets etc. As soon as you enter Pipli, bright umbrellas are an object that touches the imaginary of each one.
This form of handicraft has long been a favorite occupation of the villagers. The king of Odisha also appreciated and encouraged this beautiful art form. Craftsmen choose beautiful shapes based on flowers, birds, animals, trees, sun, etc. and take them out on clothes and create unique designs. These designs are then made more attractive by applying a glass left over.
Tourists visiting this village often like to carry souvenirs and gifts for their loved ones or keep these colorful objects as a sign of days spent in Bhubaneshwar.
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