Puri Beach - Orissa - पुरी के समुद्र तट उड़ीसा

Co-ordinates 19.795133, 85.829444 State Orissa Nearby Stations Calcutta Nearby Places Puri Wikipedia Link

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Apart from the renowned Jagannadha temple, Puri also holds celebrity for its ideal beach. Puri beach is at its heights, in the means of aesthetic appeal. Being a lovely expanse of golden sun, surf and sand the Puri beach is already hailed as the world's most spectacular sea coast, ideal for surf riding. Being a famous pilgrimage center one can also enjoy the deep-rooted cultural heritage of the land by visiting the temples scattered around Puri. Besides the foreign visitors many domestic tourists, especially the pilgrims are also being part of the crowd in beach.

The holy city of Puri is one of the most revered pilgrim destinations in India. It is situated on the shores of Bay of Bengal and is therefore, home to some of the finest beaches of Orissa. One of the most popular as well as most revered of these beaches is the Puri Beach, which is situated at a distance of approximately 60 km from Bhubaneswar. The holy waters, pristine surroundings and serene ambience of the beach draw tourists from far and wide. The golden sands of the beach stretch on for a long distance and are ideal for leisurely walks. Devotees come from far off places to take a dip in its holy waters. The most visited stretch of Puri Beach is the one situated opposite the Marine Parade. It is quite clean as well as isolated. Just like the other beaches of Puri, this beach also provides magnificent views of sunrise and sunset. It also serves as the venue of the Puri Beach Festival.

The capital city of Orissa and 35-km from Konark on the Marine Drive. For centuries now, the beach at Puri has been the venue of countless pilgrims taking the traditional purification dip. Puri is the abode of Lord Jagannath and considered one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage destination. Puri is one of the four holy places in India. Located on the shores of Bay of Bengal, it has one of the finest beaches in the world. The population size of Puri is 125,000. Puri is situated at sea level.

Puri Temple

The holy city of Puri , 60 km from Bhubaneswar, is one of the four holiest points of piligrimage for Hindus. The deity of the city, Lord Jaganath, whose temple was built way back in the 12th century, is not only of great religious significance to the people of Orissa but is revered by thousands of piligrims who seek His blessings from every part of the country. This intense veneration of Jgannath, or the Lord of the Universe, reaches its zenith during the annual rites of the RathaYatra in the month of June-July.

History Of Popularity

Ages ago Puri was a busy port for merchants and sailors. The Buddhist pilgrims set their voyages from here by carrying the messages of Lord Budha into Java, Sumatra, and the Philippines. Today Pury is one of the busiest beaches of Orissa. Considering its large number of tourists as well as pilgrims innumerable hotels and resorts have mushroomed that definitely shows the popularity of Puri as a busy destination. But, as a result of the uncaring activities of visitors heavy environmental pollution has occurred in the beach in the bygone years. The current efforts of environmentalists and government have started to yield fruitful results in protecting the beach from its destruction.

Activities

The Puri beaches are very long and sandy. One is always invited to be idle on the beach under the smiling sun being busied themselves of doing nothing except sunbathing. There are two distinct beach areas - for the Indians to the west and to the foreigners to the east, which is locally known as "traveler's beach". The marine activities such as sea cruising, angling, surfing are also advised. Further east to the 'traveler's beach' there is the local fishing village. Most of the visitors are finding enjoyment in mingling with fisher folk. The visit of local boat making yard is interesting.

Fairs And Festivals

The Rath Yatra or Car Festival is the most spectacular festivals of Orissa is celebrated according to the regional Solar calendar, which is either at the end of June or at the beginning of July. The idols of Lord Jagannatha and other idols of main deities are being carried out by a huge chariot in a massive possession pulled by a huge number of people.

Tradition And Dress Code

Rather than just a beach resort Puri is also a pilgrim center due to the proximity of Jagannatha Temple. Decent dress code is advisable here. Though one can wear the swimming suite in the beach while being in the public it must consider the local sentiments also.

Shopping

The best buys unique to Puri are painted wood sculpture, stone figurines, and other objects. The "papier mache" masks, "patta chitra", palm leaf paintings, solapith work, horn objects, appliqué works etc are available in Puri. Grand road, Station road, the beach market are the best shopping centers in Puri beach's vicinity.

Other Facilities

The foreign exchange is possible at the State Bank Of India. The Andhra Bank near to the post office is handling Credit cards. Internet facilities are available on the Chakra Theertha Road.

Security Precautions

Though trained lifeguards are always vigilant in the beach one should be careful with the sea waves. The under currents can be treacherous hence deep swimming should be avoided.

Do's And Don'ts

Possession and consumption of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited here.

The best time to visit Puri is between October and march. Most of the visitors are flocking into this magnificent beach from November to January, which is the peak season. Here the climate is a tropical one.

It has an equitable type of climate, with maximum temperature varying between 25-33 degree Celsius and minimum temperature varies from 18-26 degree Celsius. November to March is the best time to visit Puri.

Puri is situated on the coast of Bay of Bengal in Orissa, an eastern state of India. Puri is just 65 km off the capital city, Bhubaneswar. Puri is just 35 km away to Konark, famous for its Sun Temple.

Travel Informations

However, for decades now, both Indian and foreign beach lovers have made it their special haunt. The fine white sands of Puri beach and the roar of the breakers rolling in from the Bay of Bengal have fascinated visitors throughout the ages.

As it is with all the beaches of Orissa, overcrowding is never a problem and the sight of holiday-makers having entire stretches of the beach to themselves is not uncommon.

The local fishermen, with their catamarans and wide brimmed cane hats are welcomed by tourists for they not only provide you with a ride on their boats but also act as lifeguards if you wish. And yes,they are also expert masseurs. With excellent beach facing hotels and guest houses, the Puri beach is an ideal holiday spot where you can easily spend a lot of time.

How to Reach

By Air

Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport, which is 60 km away. The airport is connected with Calcutta, New Delhi and other important cities of the region.

By Rail

Puri is an important terminal of South Esatern Railway. Puri is connected with Calcutta, New Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Chennai,Tirupati, Ahmadabad and Dwaraka, there are direct trains to reach Puri.

By Road

The Puri- Bhubaneswar road is a state highway and frequent buses are available in this route. There are night bus services to Culcutta, which is 500 km away. Puri is 60-km from Bhubaneswar and 35-km from Konark on Marine Drive.

Accommodation

The luxury hotels are there in Chakrathirtha Road, Puri-Konark Marine Drive and in V.I.P.Road. There are some hotels at Puri beach too with clean private beaches. In the Marine Parade and CT Road one can find medium budget hotels. The checkout time of most of the hotels is 7:00 am.

The festival is co-sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; the Department of Tourism, Government of Orissa; Development Commissioner of Handicrafts and the Eastern Zonal Cultural Center of Calcutta. It is conducted by the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Orissa.

Places to Stay

There is excellent accommodation and eating facilities over here for the tourists.

The Jagannath Temple is a distinctive temple, which makes Puri one of the four major pilgrimage centers in India. The temple is dedicated to Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Being an exquisite piece of architecture, constructed in the 12th Century, this temple has a conical tower of 58 m. high with magnificent carvings, is topped by a flag and wheel of Vishnu. Like most of the other temples non-Hindus are not allowed to enter inside.

The Lingaraja Temple of Bhubaneswar, 60 km away Puri is built in 11th century is described as " the truest fusion of dream and reality ". Every inch of the surface of the fifty-five meter Lingaraja temple is covered with elaborate carvings. The popular belief is that prior to the visit of Puri Jagannath temple one must have to offer worship at the Lingaraja temple.

The small and beautiful village Pipli, 23 km from Puri is specially noted for its unique appliqué craft. One can witness "the blessed villagers with artistic skills" on their work. The colored patches of fabric cut into animal and flower shapes have been sewn into the bed covers, curtains and other household cloths.
The famous Konark, is situated 35 km away from Puri. It is one of the precious religious and cultural sites in India, which has been listed among the world heritage sites by UNESCO for the presence of its marvelous Sun temple of 13th Century. Apart from this, a beautiful stretch of beach is attracting those who are in search of complete seclusion.

The magnificient Sun Temple at Konark is the culmination of Orissan temple architecture, and one of the most stunning monuments of relegious architecture in the world. The massive structure now in ruins, sits in solitary splendour surrounded by drifting sand. The temple was built by the King Narshimadeva in the 13th century. The entire temple was designed in the shape of a colossal chariot, carrying the Sun God (Surya) across the heavens.