TRADITION AND CULTURE OF PURI DISTRICT
Puri is one of the fascinating littoral district of Orissa .The Cultural heritage of Puri with its long recorded history beginning from third century B.C till present day, The monuments and religious sanctity, way of life of the people with their rich tradition posses emphatically to be the cultural heart of Orissa .In deed Puri is consider cultural capital of Orissa .The culture here is flourished with its manifold activities.
The District has the happy conglomerate of different religions,sects and faith in course of history, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh,jains, Christian and tribals found here in the District. The Hindu monuments of various sectors like saivism,Bishnavism, Sakticult, Ganapatya,Mohabir etc are found. Similarly Muslim Mosques, Christian Churches are also noticed here.
Traditional Fairs and Festivals It is said that 13 festivals are celebrated in calendar year relating to Lord Jagannath are,
a) Car Festival(Ratha Yatra) July
b) Chandan Yatra April
c) Gosani Yatra Dasahara in Sept./Oct.
d) Sahi Yatra for 7 days from Rama Navami March/April
e) Mahasiva Ratri Feb in all the Saiva Pithas
f) Magha mela at Konarak on January
g) Boita Bandan at Konark in Oct./Nov.
h) Harirajpur Melan Harirajpur March
i) Jhamu Yatra Kakatapur May
j) Dayana chori Ghorodia in Pipil Block
k) Aunla Navami Sakhigopal in March
l) Makar Mela Chilika Jan
m) Bali Harachandi Mela During Raj Festival June at Brahmagiri
n) Anabasar Yatra Alaranath Pitha,Brhamagiri.
o) Siruli Mahavir Mela Panasankranti- Siruli , Sadar Block
Other Festivals for Tourists :-
1) Konark festival - Deptt of Tourism - Govt of Orissa - 1st week of Dec
2) Konark Music & Dance Festival - Konark Natya Mandap - February
3) Basant Utshav - Parampara Raghurajpur -February
4) Puri Beach Festival at Puri - Organised by Hotel & Restaurant Association of Orissa Bhubaneswar -November
5) Sriksetra Mohoshav ,Puri - Organised by Srikshetra Mahoshav committee - April
6) Gundicha Utshav at Puri - Organised by Urreka,Puri - June
In all the festivals Odissidance folk dances from different party of the country are staged. .
CULTURAL PROGRAM ON SECOND SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH :-
With the objective to encourage the young artist and to display our rich performing art form,Cultural programmee for two hours, in the evening of 2nd saturday of each month is organized at the collector's conference Hall C (Near Sea bech Police Station)Puri by Dist,Council of culture.The majestic odissi dance,the lucid Odissi Song and enchanting flok dances are staged in this programmee.There is no entry fee for viewing this programs.
Monuments
The important monuments of the District are :-
- a) Jagannath Temple Puri
b) Gundicha Temple,Puri
c) Lokonath Temple,Puri
d) Jambeswar temple,Puri
e) Sapta Matruka images near Markandeswar tank Puri
f) Sun Temple,Konark
g) Barahi Temple,at Chourasi,in Nimapara Block.
h) Mangala Temple,Kakatpur
i) Sakhigopal Temple,at Sakhigopal
j) Amareswar Temple, at Amareswar,Nimapara Block
k) Sculpture shed at Bishnupur,Nimapara
l) Gramswar Temple,Terundia,Nimapara
m) Alarnath Temple,Brhamgiri
n) Baliharachandi Temple,Brhamagiri,Block
o) Kunteswar Temple,Araorh,Pipil Block
p) Harihar Temple,near Pipil
q) Shiva Temple,Jagadalpur at Delang Block
r) Tara image at Badatara,Gop
s) Bayalisbati Temple,near Gop
t) Mohabir Temple,Siruli Sadar Block
The grandeur of architecture and the crafts maintop of the sculptures speak high of the cultural history of Puri District.
Excavated Archeological Sites
- The following are the Ex cavorted archeological Sites of Puri District.
- Kurum is 80 Km away from Konarak.The excavation work conducted here reveal the remains at Buddhists artifacts at 10 th century A.D.
b) Manikapatana : - It is in Krushnaprasad block from which the remains at mediaeval period are found .
c) Klkha patana on Puri Konark Marine drive road where the remains of 15th century was found.
Theatre
Anna Purna Theatre , Situated at the grand road Puri, is a pioneer institution in the field oftheatrical performances.
Opera
Opera is a popular mobile drama troupe is very popular in the state.
MUSEUM
a) District Museum Puri :-With a view to preserve and project our rich cultural heritage,the district Museum at Puri is functioning since 1997.It is one of the branch museum of Orissa state museum and managed by Govt of Orissa.Different veshas of Lord Jagannath, Sculptures of various Kinds,Patta paintings oalm leaf paintings,Handicrafts of numerous varieties are displayed in this museum.It is located at the station road,Puri-2.There is no entry fee for visiting this museum.
b) Another handicraft museum is situated at Batagaon, 5 Kms formPuri on puri Bhubaneswar road.It is managed by a Co-operative Society.
Libraries
a)Dist Library :-The Dist library of Puri is situated at station road and having more than 15000 books daily News paper and Magazines are brought to this library regularly.It is managed by dept of culture,Govt of Orissa.Anyone interested can read in this library.There is no lending facilities.
b)PANCHASAKHA MEMORIAL HALL IBRARY, SAKHIGOPAL :-This library is also managed by department ofculture,Orissa.It has more than 4000 books at its stock.Monday is the weekly holidays.
To extend library activities in rural areas, registered librariesfunctioning at different parts of the district are encouraged withvarious distance from Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation Calcutta through State Govt. .
