INTRODUCTION: – As morning broke, the birds chirped outside started, and the sunlight touched my face, saying to wake up. We had found others headed to the train door. I asked my mother that way everyone was running, and she told me that we had already reached Puri station. I quickly went to the washroom and refreshed myself, then quickly arranged our luggage and stepped down from the train. Stepping off the train, I sensed this year’s visit to Puri as a truly evocative experience. Puri is the holy city of Orissa. It is famous for its remarkable value in the field of art, architecture, literature, and religion and tradition. Puri is one of the places where lord Jagannath resides, and people consider it one of the holy places. In Puri most of the people visit it has now become a tourist place for Hindus. I recall a visit to Puri with my grandparents, younger siblings when I was four. All Thought my late grandfather make me sad. This time I was almost 9 years old, this time I came with my parents and grandmother. Coming to Puri this year felt emotionally special as we seek blessings from Lord Jagannath for a happy life ahead. 

The History behind the name “Puri”

People called Puri as a Holy City. Previously, people called the place “Purushottam Kshetra”. As time passed, the name of the place changed; The Rigveda refers to Puri as “Purushamandama-grama,” meaning the universe’s creator wanted a mandapam near coasts. Puri’s name “Purushottam” comes from contrasting names “Puri” and “Purusha.”. So, for them I will suggest there are many types of things to explore in Puri. So, let’s start it.

Explore the hidden Gems in Puri

Taking blessing from lord Jagannath 

Puri is the best destination of the Hindus people most of the time they went to puri to pray to Lord Jagannath. In west Bengal we the people “Hindus” name the gods in different ways like we also called “Jagannath” as “Krishna”. In the 12th Century, Jagannatha Temple dominated the city of Puri. Craftsmen made the temple with a wooden structure and decorated it very nicely all over. In the temple all over there are three gods “Jagannatha”, “Subhadra” his sister and also his brother “Balarama”. Lord Jagannath is another name for Lord Krishna. They are both identical. In order to express his feelings towards maha bhava and also to Krishna assumed the form of Lord Jagannath. Krishna and Jagannatha are the same who had two names. In the trip of Hindus to Puri “Jagannath Temple” visit came to be at the first of the page of their minds. For us exploring the full puri was not at all possible without first visiting Lord Jagannatha, Lord Subhadra, and Balarama. Ratha Yatra is one of the famous festivals in Puri each and every one waits for this particular day to come and pulls on streets as a procession. There almost become a crowd about who will pull the rath rope.  This even gave birth to the English term “Juggernaut”. 

 Let’s examine about Raghu Rajpur Artist Village 

 In the whole city in Puri if you visit Raghu Rajpur Artist village then you notice the different handcraft thing and the very reasonable price was selling all over the village. Not only that it is also fully famous in Puri also all over in the puri hotels there painting was hanging. But it was true that they were not at all educated but their handcraft’s things just made life easier. From puri to Raghu Rajpur village it was almost 14 km. The place was famous for its Patta Chitra paintings and palm leaf engravings. When you are all planning to come to Puri and want to explore each and every side of the puri in your plan you must include all the areas about architecture and painting. This is the place which is a must visited place in your diary.

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Head towards Konark’s Sun Temple

Konark’s Sun Temple was dedicated to Sun God Arka was one of the most magnificent Sun temples in the world. The Konark Sun Temple was built in the 13th Century by King Narasimha deva and also in the honour of the Sun God Surya. It is totally shaped like a giant chariot which is drawn by seven horses and has 24 giant wheels on its base that were used as for sundials. The temple due to its marvelous architecture, it has been given an award by UNESCO World Heritage site. It was almost the last decade; the government of Bengal official had decided that to restore the temple because due to the recent cyclones had destroyed some part of the area of temple.  Every year it is very important to visit in the months of December and January because of the Konark Dance and Music Festival. Each and every year the place has been crowded. Every year only due to taking pictures with the temple people come here. We had almost a great day tour with Sunflower trip (S.F.T) that included Lingaraj temple, Chandragiri, Udayagiri, Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda) at Dhaulagiri, Nandanandan Zoo, Konark’s Sun temple, Ramchand temple, and Chandrabhaga beach, costing us Rs. 400 per person. Sunflower Trip arranged the trip, and we started our journey from Sea Beach Resort. The condition was to drop us off at the same location in the hotels. Even though it looks hectic to cover so many places in one day, they planned the trip in such a way that it was totally worth it.  

image source: https://shorturl.at/LaN0k

Watch sunset while sitting in the sea beach 

Since the morning was very hectic, we had decided that in the evening we would spend time with our families on the beach. In the evening almost the beach was very much crowded. In the evening most of the people went to the beach and spent time eating the delicious food from the stalls, like for example crab fry, prawn fry, Pomfret fry, Octopus gravy. A win-win situation for everyone, who wants to spend some time on the beach before heading towards the hotel. 

image source: https://shorturl.at/nCydy

Khaja is an important sweet for “Jagannath”

If you are planning to visit puri in the coming winters, then it is the correct time for visiting there but remember one thing don’t forget to buy and eat Khaja from puri. For me time is very punctual but when I get time to visit. Puri Khaja is compulsory for me to have, it is almost my favorite sweet in puri. Previous year when I visited Puri it was totally told to me that Khaja is made with flour fried in ghee and also it dipped in sugar syrup. Krakatau Mistina Bhandare has made a name for itself selling great Khaja’s that stay soft till after a few days of purchasing it.

image source: https://shorturl.at/eafF3

Lake in Puri famously called “Chilika Lake” 

Chilika lake is one of the most favorite places to visit in puri. This Place has its own beauty, many people come to the beach to enjoy and some write beautiful songs, poems etc. A renowned poet “Purshottam Das” founded this place.  Chilika Lake sanctuary boasts with abundance of aquatic wildlife. In Chilika Lake the dolphin’s color is very much different from the other places. In the Lake apart for dolphin’s there are many other species such as blackbuck, golden jackals, spotted deer and hyenas, making it an ideal place for nature enthusiasts to visit.  People come to spend time with friends and families. They sometimes want to experience boating, which is a very common attraction to see the sunrise and sunset.

image source:  https://shorturl.at/msDqu

How to visit Puri?

There are only three forms of modes available for visiting puri. Let’s explain all the forms in details so that there will be no confusion for anything related to puri visit: –

    1.BY AIR: – It is true that Puri does not have any airport. Nearest airport it was Bhubaneswar Biju Pattanaik International Airport, at 60 KM.

    2.BY Rail: – We can also visit Puri by train. It is on the east coast railways It has direct express and super-fast trains in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata etc. There is only two express Puri Howrah Express, Jagannath Express.  

   3. BY ROAD: – In Puri, limited bus stands exist, but regular bus stops connect Gundecha Temple with Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, providing service every 10-15 minutes. Minibuses to Konark may on leave all most every 20-30 minutes. There are almost many available and direct buses for Kolkata and Visakhapatnam.

Where to stay in puri?

In puri when you are finding hotels then you will find some tones or various ranges of hotels available in puri beach. I personally like to stay near puri beach because I want to see a proper view from the hotel to the beach. We stay in the hotel Taj in puri. After the recent cyclone Bulbul, many establishments have been affected and under restoration & maintenance. Due to the cyclone many places do not work properly so it is very much important to first confirm about booking while leaving the house. If you asked me how I liked the place, then I would tell you it was totally a lovely place to visit with family and friends. Please visit the place and also share the lovely experience with me. Till then bye. Please live a proper and healthy life with family and friends…    

Anik Sarkar

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