Puri, Odisha is a hub of religious and cultural attractions ,most notably centred around the iconic shree Jagannath temple, a major pilgrimage site for hindus surrounding areas offering numerous temples ,beaches and cultural experiences . The beautiful coastal town has a lot to offer to the tourists. Whether it’s the ambience of the city, outstanding beach or the spirituality, Puri is like a power house. It serves as a gateway for many amazing places nearby. Some of those places include Puri Beach, Konark Sun temple, Chilika lake and many more.
Some top attractions near jagannath temple are –
Gundicha Temple:
Gundicha is a hindu temple ,situated in the temple town of puri ,known as the garden house of Jagannath. It lies at a distance of about 3 kilometers from the Shree Mandir, the main temple of Jagannath . Except for the 9-day Rath yatra when the Jagnanath is worshiped in the Gundicha temple, the temple remains empty the rest of the year.
There is no entry fee to enter the temple. A particular feature in the worship of the deities in this temple is that Brahmin offer the puja instead of Daitas . Hera panchami is the major ceremony celebrated in this temple on the 5th day of the Rath Yatra,which is attended by the large number of devotees ,who visit the Rath yatra festival. It is assumed that on this day of Hera panchami, goddess Lakshmi arrives, in the form of an image of Subarna mahalaxmi, at this temple.
Loknath temple:
Loknath temple (locally called shri Lokhanath mandir ) lies only about 2 km from lord jagannath temple in puri. It is one of the holiest shrines in odisha dedicated to lord shiva. An interesting facet of this shrine is that its innermost sanctum houses a shivalinga. Even though the shivalinga is apparent only once during the year, devotees offer flowers ,beetel, and Bela leaves etc. throughout the year . According to legends, when lord Rama was on his way to lanka to rescue Devi sita,he stopped at puri and took a vow to lord shiva.
Markandeshwar Temple:
Markandeswar temple is a place where sage Markandeya meditated on a lord shiva .The ancient markandeshwar tank, to the north of the Jagannath temple, Puri. It is an open structure and is enclosed within a stone wall made of dressed laterite blocks. The tank is used for rituals as well as for normal bathing. It is a place where sage Markandeya meditated on lord shiva . He saw a small child on a banyan leaf floating on the sea and wondered upon.
Chilika Lake( 110 Km from Puri)
Chilika Lake is a popular attraction near puri jagannath temple, renowned for its brackish water lagoon. It is an ecological treasure of India due to richness of biodiversity, and a vast range of flora and fauna. Chilika lake is a habitat for the rare and endangered Irrawaddy dolphin species. It has achieved the designation of “Ramsar Site” which has brought worldwide recognition and international importance to the lake as a wetland. Nalabana Island in Chilika lake is home to hundreds of migratory birds during peak seasons.
What to do in Chilika?
- Boating: Boating inside the lake and spotting dolphins is a must do thing inside Chilika lake.
- Bird watching: Winter is a perfect time to spot thousands of birds inside the lake.
Puri Beach:
Puri Beach is located about 1.5 K.m from the Jagannath Temple. The beach provides very soothing and relaxing vibes. Those who want to just relax their minds by observing the flowing water waves for a longer time can visit the puri beach without any doubt. The beaches of puri are famous for their unspoiled golden sand, cleansing water and serene atmosphere.
- For recreational activities such as swimming, sunbathing, and simply strolling along the shore.
- Shopping in local markets for handicrafts, street food, and even customized seashells.
- Observe the sand art of well-known sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik on different themes.
Konark Sun Temple:
The Konark Sun Temple was constructed in the 13th century and is still a wonder of imagination. The formation of this temple was to celebrate Sun God Surya and consists of very intricately designed wheels, sculptures, and horses which are carved of stones. The Konark sun temple holds cultural and historical importance for the country. This temple is also considered the navigational landmark for the sailors. Overall, the Konark Sun Temple was a great cultural representation of its times and now.
FAQs:
- What are popular tourist attractions of Puri near the Jagannath Temple?
Some popular tourist attractions near the jagannath temple are – Narendra Tank, Lakshmi Temple, Sakshigopal Temple, and Gundicha Temple.
- What is the most appropriate time to visit Puri?
Puri is open for tourism throughout the year but visiting Puri during the winter season (i.e. from October to January) is the best time.
- What are the must do things in Puri?
Puri celebrates spiritual power in various forms and functions. Attending some occasions such as Ratha Yatra, local handicraft exhibitions, etc.. are must do things in Puri.
