Puri is one of India’s greatest treasures, bringing everything that the country culturally embodies, spiritual touch and beauty of nature. It is located along India’s eastern coast of Odisha and is known to be one of the pilgrimage places for Char Dham. This place attracts most of the travellers in the world with its shores, temples and religious festivals. hotels in Puri by Treebo Club offer comfortable stays to avid travellers with facilities of convenience, comfort and affordability. The comprehensive travel guide covers the best places to visit in Puri, providing a memorable experience.
9 Best Places to Visit in Puri
- Jagannath Temple
Undoubtedly, the Jagannath Temple is at Puri’s heart and a vital pilgrimage centre for Hindus. Dating back to the 12th century, this powerful temple is a shrine dedicated to Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple complex is massive and ornate with beautiful carvings, imposing architecture and a sense of spirituality that touches the hearts of devotees. Since the city is filled with people worldwide during the Rath Yatra, it is recommended to book hotels near Shree Jagannatha Temple Puri in advance to avoid last-minute inconvenience.
Key Highlights
- Rath Yatra Festival: This is one of the world’s largest chariot festivals, attracting millions of devotees every year in July.
- Architectural Marvel: The great architecture of this place reflects the Kalinga style of Odisha, with a tall structure and intricate carvings.
- Mahaprasad: Taste the holy food called Mahaprasad prepared at the temple through an elaborate, ancient process.
- Puri Beach
Puri Beach runs along the Bay of Bengal over its eastern front and is an experience of both relaxation and water sports. It is a divine and scenic location, as many pilgrims come to it to take a sacred dip, while it is also very peaceful for other travellers. Hotels in Puri near Puri Beach offer modern amenities like in-house restaurants.
Key Highlights:
- Sand Sculptures: The shores are beautified by the magnificent sand sculptures, which are very popular. Many of them are done by the internationally renowned Sudarsan Pattnaik.
- Camel and Horse Rides: These rides along the shore are a must for the children as well as the adults.
- Sunrise and Sunset: The sunrises and sunsets at Puri Beach are the most wonderful in the city.
- Chilika Lake – Bird Lover’s Paradise
Located nearly 50 kilometres from Puri, this Lake is Asia’s biggest brackish water lagoon. It is also a haven for migratory birds and is quite in the news for its rich biodiversity when bird migrates from Siberia, Iran and Central Asia. You can book Treebo hotels near Chilika Lake Puri that offers private cab services to help you explore the lake at your convenience.
Key Highlights
- Bird Watching: During November and February, Chilika harbours a rich collection of migratory birds and indeed is a paradise for enthusiasts. November-February, when the migratory season peaks.
- Dolphin Spotting: The lake is home to the rare Irrawaddy dolphins, which appear frequently in the Satapada area.
- Kalijai Temple: Situated on an island in the lake, the temple is constructed to house the Goddess Kalijai. Many devotees visit and pay their homage here.
- Raghurajpur Artist Village
Raghurajpur, the “heritage crafts village” is located at a distance of about 15 kilometres from Puri. The village is also distinguished by the Pattachitra art. Pattachitra art relates to the intricate paintings on cloth, which tell the mythological themes. This village has at least one artist in every house. Due to this reason, Raghurajpur has become a valuable store of culture. You can look for the nearest Treebo hotel in Puri to explore this artistic village.
Key Highlights
- Pattachitra Art: You may view these pattachitra paintings as described with all details and colours.
- Performing Arts: The village is also known for its performances of gotipua, which are precursors to the classical Odissi dance.
- Artefact-based Souvenirs: Visitors will have direct contact with original artefacts from the artists, so these will be exclusive souvenirs.
- The Konark Sun Temple
The Konark Sun Temple is one of the wonders of Indian architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to the 13th century, the temple was built in the shape of a giant chariot with twelve wheels and seven horses, symbolising the chariot of the sun god Surya. Look out for hotels in Puri that are near transit stations and key landmarks to spend less time travelling.
Key Highlights
- Stone Carvings: The carvings of the temple are a great example of the ancient art of India.
- Annual Dance Festival: The Konark Dance Festival is held in December. During the festival, classical Indian dance forms are performed against the backdrop of the temple.
- Sunrise Views: The temple is said to stand on the eastern side, the structure also provides mesmerising views during sunrise, which can prove very helpful for photographers.
- Narendra Tank
One of the biggest tanks in Puri, Narendra Tank is one of the oldest constructions which dates back to the 15th century. This tank has been built for ritualistic purposes and is widely visited by locals during the Chandan Yatra festival. The surroundings of Narendra Tank are quiet as people visit it to offer prayers and some occasional functions. You can book Hotels near Narendra Tank since they offer amenities like parking, flexible payments and laundry facilities for a comfortable stay.
Key Highlights
- Chandan Yatra: An annual fair in May wherein the statues of Lord Jagannath are being ceremoniously bathed and the tank happens to be at the centre of the procession.
- Peaceful Spot: The tank’s surroundings make it a calm place for those wanting to experience some serenity.
- Gundicha Temple
The other most important abode in Puri is the Gundicha Temple, which is otherwise known as the “Garden House of Lord Jagannath.” During Rath Yatra, all siblings of Lord Jagannath are taken there for a week. The temple itself does not hold much importance in terms of architecture, yet it has a great religious significance for the devotees. You can book Hotels near Gundicha Temple, Puri since they offer additional discounts to help you save extra on your stay
Key Highlights
- Place: It becomes a central place in Rath Yatra when thousands of devotees assemble and pray.
- Easy Environment: As the volume of noise created by the Rath Yatra multiplies inside Jagannath Temple, Gundicha Temple is incidentally more lent.
- i Lighthouse
Puri Lighthouse is situated near the beach. It stands at the coast and offers a magnificent view of the Bay of Bengal and other panoramic city views. It is the perfect place to witness the wonderful view of Puri’s coast that can be seen only during the time of sunrise and sunset. You can easily find Treebo Hotels near Light House, Puri for a relaxing getaway.
Key Highlights
- Aerial View: From the top, you can have a clear view of golden sands, crashing waves, and the bustle of the town of Puri.
- Photography Point: The lighthouse is perfect for photography, especially during golden hour.
- Peaceful Location: If you wish to stay at a quiet place that has some scenery around it then the lighthouse is a good escape.
Conclusion
Puri is a perfect blend of spirituality, culture and natural beauty. From the religious aura at Jagannath Temple to the serene breeze at Puri Beach and the artistic heritage from Raghurajpur, each experience in Puri promises to be memorable. One can choose to stay at any of the Treebo hotels in India for a hassle-free, comfortable stay near key landmarks. Book your stay online through Treebo Club’s website or app for a budget-friendly and comfortable stay.