Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Puri (India). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Jagannath Temple, Ramachandi Temple, and Puri Beach. Also, be sure to include Chari Kshetra in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Puri (Odisha).
Table of Contents
Jagannath Temple
Also known as: जगन्नाथ मन्दिर, पुरी
Sacred temple complex and pilgrimage site. The Jagannath Temple is an important Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath, a form of Krishna, in Puri in the state of Odisha on the eastern coast of India. The present temple was rebuilt from the 10th century onwards, on the site of an earlier temple, and begun by Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, the first king of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
The Puri temple is famous for its annual Ratha Yatra, or chariot festival, in which the three principal deities are pulled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars. Unlike the stone and metal icons found in most Hindu temples, the image of Jagannath (which gave its name to the English term 'juggernaut') is made of wood and is ceremoniously replaced every twelve or 19 years by an exact replica. It is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites.
The temple is sacred to all Hindus, and especially in those of the Vaishnava traditions. Many great Vaishnava saints, such as Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya, Nimbarkacharya, Vallabhacharya and Ramananda were closely associated with the temple. Ramanuja established the Emar Mutt near the temple and Adi Shankaracharya established the Govardhan Math, which is the seat of one of the four Shankaracharyas. It is also of particular significance to the followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, whose founder, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, was attracted to the deity, Jagannath, and lived in Puri for many years.[1]
Address: Loknath rd, 752001 Jagannatha Puri
Ramachandi Temple
Hindu temple in Puri, India. Ramachandi Temple, is on a beautiful spot on the banks of the Kusabhadra River where it flows into the Bay of Bengal. It is only 5 km away from Konark in the Puri District of Odisha, India. Goddess Ramachandi, the deity of Konark is thought by some to be the presiding deity of this temple, while others thought it to be the temple of Mayadevi, wife of Surya.[2]
Puri Beach
Puri Beach or the Golden beach is a beach in the city of Puri in the state of Odisha, India. It is on the shore of the Bay of Bengal. It is known for being a tourist attraction and a Hindu sacred place. The beach is the site of the annual Puri Beach Festival, which is co-sponsored by the Indian Ministry of Tourism, the city of Odisha, the Development Commissioner of Handicrafts, and the Eastern Zonal Cultural Center, Kolkata. The beach hosts sand art displays, including work by international award-winning local sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik. The Golden Beach at Puri was awarded the prestigious 'Blue Flag' tag on October 11, 2020 by the Foundation for Environment Education, Denmark.[3]
Chari Kshetra
Chari Kshetra is a group of four holy regions in Odisha. When Vishnu killed the demon Gayasura, to commemorate the glory of his victory, he placed his Sankha in Puri, Chakra in Bhubaneswar, Gadaa in Jajpur and Padma in Konark and they were known as Sankha Kshetra, Chakra Kshetra, Gada Kshetra and Padma Kshetra respectively.[4]
Alamchandi Temple
Alamchandi Temple is one of the Shakta shrines of Puri and is located in the Kumbharapara area near Atharanala Bridge of the Puri. Skanda Purana has made a reference to Goddess Alamchandi residing in the northern side of the Jagannath Temple, Puri to protect the Ratnavedi. Devi Alamchandi is generally considered as one of the Asthashaktis who protect the Antarvedi on the Nairuta corner of Srikshetra. From an architectural point of view, this temple is not so significant but from the religious aspect it is one of the important Chandi shrines of Shreekhetra.[5]
Gundicha Temple
Also known as: गुंडिचा मंदिर
Hindu temple in Puri, India. Gundicha Temple, is a Hindu temple, situated in the temple town of Puri in the state of Odisha, India. It is significant for being the destination of the celebrated annual Rath Yatra of Puri. While it remains vacant most of the year, the temple is occupied by images of the deities of Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra for seven complete days every year during the annual Rath Yatra festival.[6]
Vimala Temple
Also known as: विमला शक्तिपीठ
Hindu temple in Puri, India. The Vimala Temple or Bimala Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Vimala, located within the Jagannath Temple complex in Puri in the Indian state of Odisha. It is generally regarded as a Shakti Pitha, among the holiest temples dedicated to the Hindu Goddess.
The temple 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. The temple faces east and is built of sandstone and laterite. It is built in the Deula style with four components; vimana (structure containing the sanctum), jagamohana (assembly hall), nata-mandapa (festival hall) and bhoga-mandapa (hall of offerings). The temple was renovated around 2005 and is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, Bhubaneswar Circle.
Though a small shrine in the temple complex, the Vimala temple is important to the Goddess-oriented Shakta and Tantric worshippers, who revere it even more than the main Jagannath shrine. Vimala is considered to be the sister of Jagannath and a guardian of the temple complex. Devotees pay respect to Vimala before worshipping Jagannath in the main temple. Food offered to Jagannath does not get sanctified as Mahaprasad until it is also offered to Vimala. The Goddess-oriented festival of Durga Puja in the Hindu month of Ashvin (October) is celebrated for sixteen days at Vimala, culminating with Vijayadashami.[7]
Atharanala
Also known as: अथरनाला ब्रिज
Bridge. Atharanala - a historic laterite stone bridge over the Madhupur or Musa stream at the entrance to the city of Puri, Odisha on Puri - Bhubaneswar road, locally known as Atharnala bridge; a Monument of National Importance N-OR-64 officially recognized by Archaeological Survey of India. Due to safety reasons the bridge is excluded from heavy vehicle traffic.[8]
Mausi Maa Temple
Hindu temple in kalapathar, India. The Mausi Maa temple is situated at the mid-way of the Bada danda of Puri. It is a small temple dedicated to Goddess Ardhashini.
As per Jagannath mythology, once Goddess Lakshmi Devi left Shri Mandira, and thus Jagannath and Balabhadra become poor and had to go out for begging. When Jagannath and Balabhadra were out during that time, Subhadra Devi was staying with Mausi Maa (Maternal Aunt).
Mausi Maa is also termed as Ardhashosini. It has been mentioned in the Vaisanava Kanda of the Skanda Purana that Goddess Ardhashosini drank half of the sea water that flooded Puri and saved the abode of Shri Jagannath. Goddess Ardhashosini with Kapalamochana Shiva, act as the guardians of the Shree Kshetra.
During the return journey (Bahuda yatra) of Ratha yatra festival, the chariot of Shri Jagannath stops at Mausi Maa temple and the deity is offered with their favourite Poda Pitha, a kind of baked cake made in lentils and rice.[9]
Markandeshwar Temple
Markandeshwar Temple 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. Finally lord Vishnu assured him from the doubt. The ancient Markandeswar Shiva Temple is situated in the Markandeswar street by the side of the Markandeswar tank, to the north of the Jagannath temple, Puri, Odisha, India. This place can be approached on the right side of Markandeswar road leading from Markandeswar chowk to Puri-Brahmagiri road. Markandeya tank is an open structure and it enclosed within a stone wall made of dressed laterite blocks. Bathing ghats are provided for the tourists in southern side of the tank. The tank is used for rituals as well as for normal bathing. Rituals like Pinda Dana, Mundan Kriya etc. are observed on the steps of the tank. 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.[10]
Bata Mangala Temple
Temple in Puri, India. Bata Mangala Temple is a temple dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Mangala. The temple is located 7 km away from the Hindu Holy town of Puri in the state of Odisha, India. The temple is revered by devotees on the way to the nearby Jagannath Temple. It is customary that devotees pray in this temple before they proceed to the Jagannath Temple.
It is said that when Brahma first came into existence it was confused on seeing a great void all around him. The goddess Bata Mangala appeared to it guiding it to Lord Jagannath. Thus did Brahma gain its focus and proceed with the task of cosmic creation.[11]