Jai Jagannatha! let’s begin. “Puri Tourist Places” – Trust me, this isn’t just another tiring list of places to visit in Puri. As a travel blogger, if there is one thing we face more often than the other – is finding the tourist spots that are truly worth the time. Just one request though, if you find this blog helpful, do like, share or comment, so that it can help impress the Search Engine baba to push this content to more valuable readers like yourself.
As one of the revered Char Dhams in the Sanatan Dharma, Puri, a coastal city, proudly bears the name Jagannatha Puri, a home to Lord Jagannatha. Puri, a city filled with mysticism, captivates visitors with its charm. From the awe-inspiring Jagannath Temple, renowned for its unique architecture that casts no shadow, to the enigmatic energy that permeates its streets, there’s an undeniable magic. Countless stories of miracles, unwavering faith, and the unwavering support of both the people and the government contribute to its enduring mysticism. The vibrant culture, rich heritage, stunning beaches, and the spectacle of millions of birds migrating during winter further enhance its appeal. These factors, combined with a myriad of untapped opportunities for exploration, ensure that visitors often find themselves drawn back to this holy city time and again.
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Before we delve into the details, let’s answer a few basic questions travelers often ask.
What are the Top Tourist Attractions to Visit in Puri?
The top tourist attractions to Visit in Puri are:
- Shree Jagannatha Temple
- Beaches of Puri
- Blue Flag Beach
- Swargdwar Sea Beach
- Golden Beach, etc.
- Puri Beach Market
- Konark Sun Temple
- Raghurajpur Artist Village
- Pipli Village
- Chilika Lake
- Mangalajodi Wetlands
Is 2 days enough to see Puri?
Two days is definitely not enough to truly experience Puri. However, you can certainly visit a few key spots and likely leave wanting more. To truly explore all the major attractions, including the temples, beaches, and surrounding areas, I’d recommend allocating at least 4-5 days for your trip.
How to plan a Puri itinerary?
To make your Puri sightseeing even more efficient, let’s group the attractions into different zones. For instance, Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3 and Zone 4, based on their physical locations. This will help keep the Puri itinerary simple and practical. And, for your easy reference, I have given the google map location link for each of these attractions.
Zone 1: Shree Jagannatha Temple and beaches near by
Under this, you can club below spots:
- Shree Jagannatha Temple
- Blue Flag Beach
- Puri Beach Market
- Puri Swargdwar Beach
- Niladri Beach,
- Golden Beach
Zone 2: Konark Sun Temple and beaches near by
The spots that one can cover under Zone 2 are:
- Konark Sun Temple
- Marine Drive Beach
- Chandrabhaga Beach
- Watersports Konark
- Archaeological Museum, Konark
Zone 3: Experience the Beauty of Odisha’s Traditional Art & Craft and Take Home a Piece of History
Two places that can be clubbed in this zone are:
I recommend visiting Raghurajpur Artist Village first. Then, as you head back towards Puri, you can easily swing by Pipli Village/ Pipli Craft Market, since it’s on the way.
Zone 4: Experience Birdwatching and boating
- Chilika Lake
- Mangalajodi Wetland
Choose your own adventure: start with an exhilarating birdwatching trip in Mangalajodi, then explore Chilika Lake by boat, or enjoy the lake first and then head to Mangalajodi.
Where to Stay When Visiting Puri Tourist Places?
Travelers have a wide range of accommodation options in Puri, from luxurious beachside resorts and hotels to cozy homestays and convenient service apartments. You can easily find a place that suits your budget and preferences. While beachside resorts offer stunning views, considering the dispersed nature of Puri’s attractions, I highly recommend staying in a service apartment or homestay, especially if you plan to stay for two nights or more. This provides greater flexibility and often offers a more authentic local experience.
Where we stayed in Puri?
For our Puri trip, we opted for a 1BHK service apartment near Station Road. It was a modern unit equipped with all the essential amenities for a comfortable stay. Renting the entire apartment offered several advantages:
- Spacious and Homely: The apartment provided ample space for us and our luggage, making it feel like a true home away from home.
- Kitchen Convenience: The kitchen was a lifesaver, especially for us tea lovers.
- Assured Water Quality: The RO water purifier ensured a consistent supply of clean drinking water.
- Privacy and Comfort: We enjoyed the privacy and comfort of a clean apartment with a balcony.
- Essential Amenities: The apartment was equipped with essential appliances like a fridge, washing machine, iron, and oven, enhancing our comfort during our extended stay.
- Secure Parking: The shaded car parking was a significant advantage for those traveling by car.
Book Your Puri Stay Directly Here
As part of my mission to connect travelers with unique and often overlooked accommodations, I’ve featured this Service Apartment on my online platform. You can easily book your stay directly through my website.
Book your stay!
Click here to request a reservation directly through my featured list, or book @Booking.com
Tip: Compare the rates across both platforms to find the best deal for you!
All properties listed on my platform are carefully vetted for safety and often come from personal recommendations. Most importantly, they are budget friendly as I eliminate hefty commissions, ensuring guests pay a fair price.
Imagine enjoying a ‘home away from home’ experience starting at just Rs. 2750 per night. This property is located within 2 km of the Jagannatha Temple and the famous Puri beaches, and it’s situated within a reputable gated community.
Where to stay in Mangalajodi?
If you plan to explore Chilika Lake and experience the wonders of Mangalajodi, consider spending a couple of nights in the village itself.
Mangalajodi offers limited accommodation options, but I can personally recommend a stay that ensures both comfort and an unforgettable birdwatching experience. This property is part of my listing too.
Click here to book your stay at this recommended accommodation in Mangalajodi.
[Mangalajodi Bird View Resort – PankajSinghPhotographie]
A Deep Dive into Puri’s Tourist Places
Let’s explore these must-visit attractions in more detail. I’ll share some captivating images from my own journey to enhance your understanding.
Shree Jagannatha Temple
The Shree Jagannatha Temple: A place of awe-inspiring architecture, where tales of the past, present, and future intertwine. This sacred abode of Lord Jagannatha is a symbol of Sanatan Dharma, a testament to unwavering faith, and a destination that continues to captivate the soul.
Temple Darshan Timings
The temple generally opens daily, with morning darshan commencing at 5:30 AM and concluding at 11:00 AM. Following this, the temple closes, allowing Lord Jagannatha his customary afternoon rest. The doors reopen for devotees at 4:30 PM and remain open until 8:30 PM.
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What is the best time to do darshan?
While morning darshans are popular, experiencing the evening aarti can offer a more serene and magical encounter. This is especially true during the warmer months when the evenings provide a more pleasant atmosphere in Puri.
How to Perform Darshan at Shree Jagannatha Temple?
While a dedicated blog post could delve deeper, here’s a brief guide to help you prepare for your darshan, in the meantime:
1st Step: Before entering the temple, deposit your shoes, mobile phones, cameras, belts, and any leather items at any shop that you wish near the temple. This is usually a free service. There are paid services too, they have stalls installed specifically for this.
2nd Step: Join the queue that leads to the temple entrance.
3rd Step: Upon entering the temple premises, wash your hands and feet at the designated area provided with running water.
4th Step: Ascend the stairs to the main temple and patiently follow the queue. You’ll navigate through a series of zig-zag barricades before reaching the darshan point.
Beaches and Beach Market of Puri | Puri Tourist Places
Puri boasts stunning beaches, including the renowned Blue Flag Beach, Golden Beach, and Swargdwar Beach. These beaches offer pristine sands and a vibrant atmosphere. For breathtaking views, consider visiting during sunrise or sunset.
If you’re interested in exploring the lively Puri Beach Market, evenings are the ideal time. This bustling market resembles a festive fair, offering a wide array of shopping options. You can find traditional Odia attire such as sarees, kurtas, and fabrics.
Pro Tip: Be mindful of the initial prices quoted by shopkeepers. However, we discovered a hidden gem – a lane within the market that offered excellent value for money. We found high-quality products at surprisingly affordable prices compared to other shops in the area. This lane became a highlight of our shopping experience in Odisha.
The prices in this lane are usually fixed. GMAP location for easy reference.
Konark Sun Temple | Puri Tourist Places
The Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a magnificent testament to India’s rich architectural and cultural heritage, stands majestically in Konark, Odisha. Dedicated to the Sun God, Surya, this 13th-century masterpiece captivates visitors with its unique design, intricate carvings, and profound historical significance.
Open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM, the temple offers a mesmerizing experience. Witness the first rays of the Sun touch the temple’s grandeur during a morning visit or experience the magical illumination of its architecture at sunset. Don’t miss the captivating Sound and Light show held every evening.
Plan to spend at least 3-4 hours exploring this remarkable site.
Raghurajpur Artist Village
Raghurajpur is a small village in Odisha, India. It is a vibrant hub of artistic expression and an important addition to the list of Puri Tourist Places. This unique village is renowned for its rich tradition of Pattachitra painting, a centuries-old art form depicting mythological stories and deities.
Raghurajpur is a unique village where art is deeply ingrained in the lives of its residents. Every family, generation after generation, dedicates itself to preserving traditional art forms, primarily Pattachitra painting. This dedication has not gone unnoticed, with tourists flocking to the village each year to admire and purchase their exquisite artworks.
The Government has played a crucial role in supporting these talented artists. Notably, Prime Minister Modi selected a Raghurajpur artwork as a gift for the French President in 2015.
Few key points to remember:
- Accessibility: Easily reachable by car. Follow Google Maps to the village entrance. Though, one may find the last patch of road narrow.
- Layout: A small village centered around a temple, with artist homes lining both sides.
- Art Forms: While renowned for Pattachitra, the village boasts a diverse range of artistic expressions.
- Market: Artworks are highly sought-after, with buyers ranging from art enthusiasts to renowned Indian celebrities.
- Pricing: Prices vary significantly, from a few hundred rupees to lakhs, depending on the complexity and materials used.
- Warm Welcome: The villagers are friendly and eager to share their artistic heritage, family history, and the intricate processes behind their creations.
- Free Entry: Explore the village freely without any entrance fee.
Pipli Village
Conveniently located on the route between Puri and Raghurajpur, Pipli is a must-visit for art enthusiasts. We chose to explore Pipli on our return journey from Raghurajpur to Puri. This charming town is famous for its exquisite appliqué work, a traditional craft involving intricate fabric cutting and layering to create stunning designs.
Plan to spend about an hour or two here to browse the vibrant displays and perhaps purchase a unique souvenir.
Chilika Lake
Chilika Lake, a Ramsar Wetland Site, is a vital sanctuary for a diverse range of avian species. Millions of migratory birds, including flamingos, pelicans, and a variety of ducks, flock to the lake during the winter months.
Exploring the Lake:
Boat Rides: Embark on a thrilling boat ride from the Satpada boating point to explore the vast expanse of the lake.
Bird Watching: Witness the mesmerizing spectacle of migratory birds soaring through the skies and gracefully landing on the water.
Dolphin Spotting: Keep an eye out for the playful Irrawaddy dolphins that inhabit the lake.
Island Exploration: Visit the numerous islands within the lake, such as Nalbana Island, known for its dense mangrove forests and birdlife.
Mangalajodi Wetlands
Mangalajodi, renowned for its rich avian biodiversity, boasts a remarkable story of conservation. Once a community reliant on hunting for their livelihood, the villagers have undergone a remarkable transformation.
Through awareness campaigns conducted by the Forest Department and NGOs, the villagers shifted their focus from hunting to birdwatching tourism. Today, they actively participate in government-organized boating services, offering visitors a chance to explore the wetlands and observe the diverse birdlife. This transition not only protects the delicate ecosystem but also provides sustainable livelihoods for the local community.
To learn more about Mangalajodi, including its history, biodiversity, and how to plan your visit, refer to my previous blog post: [Link to your blog post]
Conclusion
I hope this blog, Puri Tourist Places, has provided you with valuable insights into the treasures of Odisha. I invite you to explore this beautiful state and create your own unforgettable memories. For a comfortable and enjoyable stay, do give my recommended accommodation options in Puri and Mangalajodi, as listed below. And don’t forget to like, share and/or comment to motivate Search Engine baba to push this content to more travellers like yourself.
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