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 Puri is one of the four destinations (Char Dham) considered the most pious of religious centers in India. As a consequence of its religious significance, Puri is one of the most frequented pilgrimage destinations in Orissa, India. With Tourism of Orissa tour packages, explore the other aspects of Puri that are more than often overshadowed by the towering Lord Jagannath Temple that stands at 65 meters and is the tallest monument in Orissa.
According to legends, Puri was once a hilly and forested area that was inhabited by Austric speaking tribes preceding the Aryan and Dravidian races. Today Puri's major tourist attractions are the Lord Jagannath Temple and the Puri Beach.
Chodaganga Deva built the Lord Jagannath Temple during the 12th century and is the finest example of Oriya school of architecture. Other temples of significance to pilgrims and tourists that you should visit on your tour to Puri include the Gundicha Temple, Lokanath Temple, Sunaragauranga Temple, Daria Mahabir Temple and Tota Gopinatt Temple.
Narendra, Markandeya, Sweta Ganga and Indradyumna tanks are believed to contain water that is holy and also are credited with curative powers. The Matts (monasteries) around the temple complexes and holy tanks are other places of interest that you may visit on your tour to Puri, Orissa.
Tours to Puri can also be planned around the popular and religious festivals in Puri, Orissa such as the Car Festival of Puri, the Puri Beach festival, Ganesh Puja and Jhulana Jatra.
Easily approachable by air (from Bhubaneswar) and well connected by rail and road, Puri tours can also be extended to include the other tourist attractions in the adjoining areas of Puri, Orissa.
Balighai, near Puri, is a picturesque beach fringed with Casuarinas that is very popular with tourists. Satapara in Chilika, set at the confluence of Chilika Lake and the Bay of Bengal, is another popular retreat from Puri. Satapara offers dolphin sighting and bird watching opportunities aplenty.
If the magnificent temples of Puri have infused you with a desire to explore other temples of Orissa, then there are other famous temples around Puri that you can visit on your tour to Puri. Shrine of Alarnath in Brahmagiri, the shrine of Lord Sakshigopal in Satyabadi and the temple of Baliharachandi are the chief attractions. Baliharachandi is also a popular picnic spot for its natural beauty.
You can also visit the famous artisan village of Raghurajpur. The birthplace of Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra, renowned Odissi dancer; at Raghurajpur you can attend a Gotipua dance performance and shop for pattachitra's and talapattachitra's handicrafts. These handicrafts can also be bought from the shops and state emporiums in Puri along with other handicrafts unique to Orissa such as stone soaps, seashells, horn work, woodcarvings and solapith work.
There are many hotels, resorts and lodges in Puri where you can stay comfortably during your tour to Puri.
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