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City in Odisha, India
Photo: Subham9423, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Puri (ପୁରୀ Purī), also known as Jagannath Puri (the Abode of Lord Jagannath) or Purushottama Puri, is a seaside pilgrimage town in the Indian state of Odisha. It is a major tourist destination with the famous temple of Lord Jagannath (means Lord of the World) and a very long beach offering beautiful and pleasant sights. There are many hotels; most overseas tourists stay near the beach.
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The 8-km long beach of Puri is ideal for surfing and cool for a dip. The beach is covered in golden sand. The waves can also be high and rough during the full moon. Camel and horse rides are available. Seating is available for 45 minutes at cost. Please do not litter the beach to keep its magnificent view intact. You have to be careful about swimming off the Chakra Tirtha Rd end of the beach because there is a canal that carries raw sewage into the ocean.
This road is in superb condition. It is peppered with deserted beaches and many rivers flow into the sea in places visible, if not accessible, from the road. Some beaches are said to have quicksand. Along the way, there is a temple Ramchandi, which is a popular picnic spot amongst the locals, as non-vegetarian food is allowed in the temple.
Literally, "the gateway to heaven", Swargadwar is the site of the cremation of almost all famous Odia people. There are good hotels and restaurants near the crematorium.
Great views of the sea along with the town of Puri.
Located in the ancestral home of Netaji. Displays an impressive collection of rare photographs, handwritten letters, journals, and personal artifacts.
A park by the beach, complete with a lotus pond and ornamental plants. IFamily friendly place with toy train and other activitires for kids.
ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ମନ୍ଦିର Jagannātha Mandira
One of the Char Dham temples, i.e. most sacred pilgrimage places of Hindus. Constructed in the 11th century is the starting point of the world-famous Ratha Yatra, held in July. The temple is open only for "orthodox" Hindus and they must dress conservatively. Beware of crowds around the main temple. Do lean against the Shani temple, watch the summit of the temple and savour the temple food or bhog. The temple complex is huge and has some very interesting stories associated, priests or pāṇḍās are generally the ones who conduct the non-Odia people around and generally mention all these stories although they can demand exorbitant amounts; bring it down to something reasonable. It is possible to go into the sanctum sanctorum and touch the deities in the main temple for a fee.
ଗୁଣ୍ଡିଚା ମନ୍ଦିର Guṇḍicā Mandira
The destination of the Ratha Yatra from Jagannath Temple. It is occupied by Lord Jagannath and his siblings for seven days every year. It is in the centre of a beautiful garden, surrounded by compound walls on all sides. Tourists don't have to pay any fee to enter the temple, it's considered that Lord Jagannath ensures all of his devotees equally.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, is said to be the place where Lord Shiva hid himself from Shani, under a pond. The Shivalinga here is partially submerged and the pond is teeming with fish. Priests here tend to be very strict so maintain etiquette. Shoes, cameras, mobile phones and bags are prohibited within the temple complex, you have to submit them at a nearby stand.
At Hotel Lee Garden
Good Chinese food.
Puri branch of Kolkata's popular Dada Boudir Restaurant. Authentic Bengali food.
There are several sweet shops under the name "Ganguram Sweets", among which the one in front of Handloom Gardens is the oldest. It has no branches.
near the Iskcon temple in Swargadwara there is a good sweet shop/restaurant with a cockatoo outside and the resto is named after it.
Pure vegetarian restaurant with Gujarati and marwari thali on Chakratirth road.
There are several sweet shops under the name "Nrusingha Sweets" or "Nursingha Sweets", among which the Original Nrusingha Sweets is the oldest. It has four branches.
Pure vegetarian restaurant opposite the Jagannath temple on the Grand Road above the shops on the corner. There are many restaurants in Swargadwara, New Puri and CT. Road.
Theme restaurant serving local delicacies.
This 3-storey resort has modern facilities including elevators, with a good view of the Bay of Bengal. There's an air-conditioned restaurant and a conference room. There is also a doctor on call, laundry, locker and secretarial services.
Family hotel with sea views from each balcony. You can see the sea from your room balcony. You have to order and collect your coupon each morning before 10 for lunch starting at 12:30PM. Same for dinner and breakfast.
Sea view rooms, travel desk.
Quiet location and a swimming pool. The hotel has a private beach, although there are only two canopies for guests. There are no lifeguards (nulia), but you can hire one if you wish. Breakfast (especially the Hans Coco Palms Special) is a good value and wholesome. Try the tomato shorba and 'thaali' for lunch/dinner.
Rooms are neatly furnished and are sea facing. Warm and friendly staff.
Between the beach and the hotel is a small restaurant called Pink House. Lovely food and friendly people. Adjacent to the hotel is an Ayurvedic Center providing body massage and other ayurvedic therapies.
A beautiful hotel on a clean private beach for which tent facilities are available. Pickup and drop facilities are available from the station and you will be welcomed with flowers and a welcome drink. Rooms are neatly furnished and are sea-facing. The restaurant is good and will customise your menu for any special requirement (for a kid, for example). Try the fish tikka.
TV and hot water facility. Eco-friendly pure vegetarian garden restaurant attached.
25 furnished rooms with kitchen facilities only for holiday homes, authorised Indian Rail travel agent on-site.
Beach resort with spa services. This hotel has a private beach with couple of lifeguards roaming around. Elegantly furnished rooms with tasty cuisine served at the restaurants.
Rooms and other facilities, described as modern and luxurious. You can also book online from their website.
You have to show your ticket.
Luxury hotel.
Approved by the Department of Tourism, describes its own staff as warm and friendly. Spread across acres. The resort has Russian language interpreter.
Most of the rooms sea facing.
Most of the rooms facing the sea.
The resort is located away from the crowded places of Puri and has its own beach. There is a swimming pool, gym, spa, restaurant and conference hall. It also provides facilities for destination weddings. The resort organizes curated tours to the heritage village of Raghurajpur and also to Chilka Lake.
You get a full sea view straight out of the balcony from most of the rooms.
By train
Puri is well-connected by railways. Trains are available from Howrah, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar etc. It is also a major railhead on the East Coast Railway, bifurcated from Khurda Road.
By bus
Puri is approximately 1½ hours or 60 km from Bhubaneswar and the journey costs about ₹130.
You can use cycle rickshaws, auto-rickshaws or electric rickshaws but agree on a price before you set off.
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