[ Edit ] Overview

Puri, located in the State of Orissa, is one of the oldest continously inhabited cities in India (dating back to the 3 BC) and also one of the holiest pilgrimage destinations.  The word "Puri" meaning "town" in Sanskrit is derived from Jagannath Puri (the Lord of the Universe and a form of Lord Krishna) and the presiding deity at the famous Jagannath Temple located here. 

Puri's location on the Bay of Bengal (eastern coast of India), with its alluring sandy beaches, access to nature (Chika Lake - the largest coastal lagoon in India), and temples with spiritual significance, make it a popular tourist destination.  The town is also famous for the annual Rath Yatra Festival (Festival of Chariots), attended by several hundred thousand devotees, to commemorate Lord Krishna's return to his home in Vrindavan after a long period of exile.

Located, 65 kms from Bhubaneshwar, Puri is also often used as an access point to visit the stunning Konark Sun Temple, a World Heritage Site.

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[ Edit ] History

Along with Joshimath (Uttarakhand), Sringeri (Karnataka), and Dwarka (Gujarat), Puri is one of the four Mathas (centres for the practice of an ascetic form of Hinduism) established by the great Indian Saint and Philosopher Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century AD.

Quick Facts

[ Edit ] State

Orissa, India

[ Edit ] Location

Puri has the Bay of on its east, Khurda district on its west, Sambalpur on its south and Bhubaneshwar to its north. It is located

• Konark: 35 kms
• Bhubaneshwar: 60 kms
• Kolkata: 557 kms

[ Edit ] Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Puri is between September and March.

[ Edit ] Tourist Offices

Puri Toursit office, V.I.P. Chhak, Station road, Tel  22664.

[ Edit ] STD Code

06752

Sightseeing

Chilika Lake

Gundhicha Temple

Jagannath Temple

Narendra Tank

Pancha Tirtha

Puri Beach

Rath Yatra

Sri Lokanath Temple

Sudharshan Craft Museum

Swargadwar Beach

Weather

DAY: Sun	LOW: 26	HIGH: 32
DAY: Mon	LOW: 26	HIGH: 32

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