Section ONE

page2.jpg (19992 bytes)

Contact to Collector& D.M.
dmpuri@ori.nic.in

TOURISM

The dynamic topographical and vegetational strength of puri have combined to extract some of the most stunning destinations in the district and the visitor would do well to prepare himself for a vacation that will not only be a visual feast but a highly educative and culturally pleasing in the world .

Puri is a land of temples, examples of a religious architechture. A synthesis of the inherent aesthetic sense of the Puri's people and the values of the religious sects and cults.Exquisite temples superb monuments , inviting beaches, natural landscape.

Puri, the best ancient and modern India, whose people share a strong sence of holiness, a sence of belonging with their beautiful land and their enduring links with the past.
                                   Puri offers tourists the rare oppurtunity of witnessing the colorful sunrise and sunset on the same beach on its golden sands.
                    Temples and sanctuaries , golden beaches and glorious lakes that is visually fascinating , crafts that are colourful and vibrant and the numerous festivals that can take a "Juggernaut-like " momentum...........Puri has then all and much more for you...........
      Excellently connected by Air , Rail and Road ,Puri invites you to
its hospitable environs and promises you an experience you will never forget . When others talk of taking down memory lane ...............,Puri will take you back to your ancient linkages . When others talk of Romancing with the stones , her ancient architects and sculptures will show you what it really means , come to Puri ...............She has been waiting for you for centuries ....................           Tourists complex and sports:-Puri being one of the coastal districts of Orissa named after the heritage city of same name famous for Lord Jagannath. The district has a variety of monuments spitamising the evaluation of art and architecture. Nature has its full beam in the district with unspeilt Sea-beach, lake , wildlife and hospitable people with traditional crafts. Besides getting experience with cultural and social lives of Orissa , Tourists may plan for lieasure crusing, bird and Dolphin watching , sightseeing communing with nature.

Approach (Access)

            Air:-Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport - 60 km . Indian Airlines offers excellent connections to Bhubaneswar from Delhi, Calcutta, Visakhapatnam, Nagpur,Hyderabad, Chennai, and Mumbai.
               Rail:-A terminus on the S.E. Railway having fast and superfast train links with New Mumbai, Delhi,Guwahati , Hyderabad ,Thiruvanantapuram Calcutta and Baidyanath Dham & etc.Puri has good rail connections with Delhi , Calcutta, Tirupati, Okha and Ahmedabad.
              Road:- 60 km by State Highway from Bhubaneswar. One can also approach by road via Konark and then through the Marine Drive covering about 100 km.

CLIMATE

Generally you can visit Puri at any of the year .Best time is October to April.

HOW TO GET THERE

The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar , 100km. away. The Calcutta -Chennai rail route of S.E.R. touches Chilika Lake at Balugaon , Chilika, Khallikote and Rambha . National Highway No. 5 runs along the lake and touches Balugaon , Barkul and Rambha. Buses and taxis are available from Cuttack ,Bhubaneswar,Puri and Berhampur to Chilika. OTDC provides luxury coaches and cars from Bhubaneswar and puri.

WHERE TO STAY

Shopping Complex

                 JAGANNATH TEMPLE

                  SEA BEACH

             The golden beach of Puri is one of the best in
the country for Sun, Surf and Sand. The beach area has been a popular seaside resort for decades, and some of the old hotels capture the charm of bygone days.    For this shining beach, Puri has got its dual importance of a relaxed seaside resort and of an important pilgrimage centre.   A stroll along the beach or a much desired bath here in the sea is very much refreshing.

        The  beach  goes  festive on occasions  like
"Kartik Purnima"  i.e.   the full moon day of the  lunar
month of  Kartik  when Hindus gather here in the  early
morning to take a holy deep and pray sea God.  The five
days long  Beach Festival in the months of February  i
now very popular in the Festival calender
 Beach clothes are appropriate for this sea side resort.

SUN TEMPLE

CHANDRA BHAGA

At about 3 kms from the Sun Temple at
Konark is the Chandrabhaga beach. The strong currents do not make it either safe or easy for swimming. But the picturesque view of the sunrise and sunset at this place is enchanting.

According to a myth, the Sun God is believed to have sought a beautiful sea-maiden named Chandrabhaga. After chasing her up to this point, she is said to have disappeared into the sea. A river by the same name Chandrabhaga is supposed to have existed just 3 kms away from the temple where (as another legend goes), Shamba, the son of Lord Krishna prayed to the Sun God for 12 years to be cured of leprosy.

In memory of Shamba’s successful penance, the Chandrabhaga Mela (festival) is held every year. During the full-moon phase in the month of Magha, the festival

CHILIKA LAKE

NESTING in the heart of Coastal District Puri, Asia's largest & biggest inland Brackish water lake, Chilika, streching across the length of the three districts of Puri, Khurdha& Ganjam ,itjoins up with the Bay of Bengal through a narrow mouth ,forming an enormous lagoon of brackish water .Spread over an area of 1,100 sq. km it was declared a sanctuary in 1987. Dotted with many emerald green islands with colorful names such as honeymoon islands and Breakfast island ,Chilika is home to a rich variety of aquatic fauna .It is also a sanctuary and winter resort for migratory birds like a bird watcher's paradise. Sun rise and Sun set are memorable experiences here. Winter is the loveliest time at Chilika ,with thousands of migratory birds flying in from as far as Siberia to make their winter sojourn in strange waters . The water come alive with their raucous cries and colorful plumage as the birds battle to find space to make their new homes . While the lake's Nalabana island has been declared a sanctuary for its varied flora and fauna , Kalijai island is home to Goddess Kalijai and the venue for annual Makar Mela .

Boating and fishing facilities are available in this lake containing a large variety of fish.The lake provides a livelihood to thousands of fishermen . Chital and Black buck roam freely on the scrubby shores while Dolphins gambol playfully in the foam of the churning waters at Chilika mouth near Satapara .For crushing and visiting the islands , one can make use of the motor launches of the OTDC at Barakul and Rambha , and the revenue department at Balugaon. Private boats are also available here. OTDC organises water sports in Chilika at the Water sports complex , located at Barakul . Hundreds of boats sail out daily on the lake's blue expanse in search of mackerel , Prawn Crabs, the sight providing an insight into the pageant of rural India at its colorful best.
Encircled by Hills all along its arched shape, Chilika Lake's colorful changes with passing clouds overhead and the shifting sun. The water ripples languidly , occasionally rippling with a gentle breeze across from the Bay of Bengal .

SATAPADA :- Satapara , a retreat in nature on Chilika lake,is poened up to the tourists . For its location near the confluence of the lake with the ocean and proximity to puri(48km), it is an ideal spot to enjoy Chilika . The thrilling sight of dolphins round the year and abundance of migratory and resident birds in winter make it a preffered place for a vacation with nature.
BALIGHAI : It is 10 K.M. from Puri in marine drive in Puri-Konark Road. Beautiful isoleted beach , attractive for tourist.

BALIHARACHANDI

At about 20 kms from Puri, on sand
dunes near the confluence of the expanded sea and calm River Bhargavi is situated the temple of Baliharchandi. The place derives its name from ‘Baliharchandi’-the revered goddess who is considered to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga.

This place is most often the first choice for a picnic or pleasure trip. The solitude that the place enjoys along with the visual enchantments is a haven for lovers of nature. The wild flora and fauna around this place are often the subject of study for young students with a scientific bent of mind. Take care not to wander away into the unknown without the help of local people as quicksand pervades the area.

If religious sanctity alongwith scenic beauty is what you are looking for,

BELESWAR:- 20 K.M. from Puri in Puri-Konark road lies th famous Lord Shiva Temple . It is near the sea beach, a beautiful picnic spot.

  BRAMHAGIRI

     20 K.M. from Puri towards Satapada is the Bramhagiri bazar. It is famous for Lord Alarnath the god of Vishnu. Legent says Lord Jagannath stays in Alarnath during the ANASARA (suffering from fever) period before car festival every year.

PIPLI :- Applique in Orissa is an old temple art , which has been refined to perfection. A fine example of the craft is the enormous applique canopies above the reigning deity of Puri , Lord Jagannath . Applique art is the process of cutting coloured cloth into shapes of animals , birds, flowers, leaves and other decorative motifs and stitching them on to a piece of cloth that can ultimately be used as a lamp shade , a hand bag or even a garden umbrella . The village of Pipli , 40 kms. from Puri , is the site of beautiful applique work, created by artists, quite a few of whom have won national awards for their crafts.

RAGHURAJPUR :- The artists' village of Raghurajpur , 16 km from Puri , is famous for its Pattachitras created by traditional chitrakaras , who have for centuries , also churned out palm-leaf etchings with exquisite detail . Quite a few of the craftsmen are winners of national awards.

SAKSHIGOPAL :-Sakhigopal is 20 km from puri is famous for Radha Krushna temple . It is also famous for Satyabadi bana vidyalaya and bakulabana.