Overview
About Puri
Puri, on the Bay of Bengal coast of Odisha, is one of the holiest towns in India and one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites. Its life revolves around the great Jagannath Temple, home of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. The temple's soaring spire dominates the skyline, and the wide Grand Road, or Bada Danda, leading to it is the stage for the famous Rath Yatra.
During the Rath Yatra, held every year in June or July, the deities are brought out on enormous wooden chariots and pulled by vast crowds of devotees to the Gundicha Temple. The festival draws pilgrims from across India and the world. For the rest of the year, the town has a steady rhythm of temple rituals, mahaprasad meals and morning walks on the beach.
Puri is also a beach town with a long, golden shoreline where families stroll, fishermen pull in their boats and sand artists create elaborate sculptures. It forms the classic Golden Triangle of Odisha with Bhubaneswar and Konark, and makes a convenient base for exploring the Sun Temple, the craft village of Raghurajpur and the lagoon of Chilika Lake.
- Jagannath Temple
- Rath Yatra
- Puri beach
- Mahaprasad
- Pattachitra art
- Sand art
Sightseeing
Best Places to Visit in Puri
Temples
Jagannath Temple
A twelfth-century temple complex and one of the most sacred shrines in India. Only Hindus are allowed inside; others can view the spire and the activity outside from nearby rooftops.
Gundicha Temple
The temple at the other end of the Grand Road where the deities stay for several days during the Rath Yatra. Its garden setting is calm outside festival time.
Lokanath Temple
An old Shiva temple in Puri where the lingam is usually submerged in water, an important stop for many pilgrims.
Beaches
Puri Beach
A long sandy beach along the town's seafront, busy in the evenings with families, food stalls and camel rides. The sea can be rough, so swim only in supervised areas.
Swargadwar
A busy stretch of the seafront that is considered holy, with markets, eateries and pilgrims taking a dip.
Chandrabhaga Beach
A cleaner and quieter beach near Konark, known for its sunrise and for the festival held there.
Nearby Excursions
Konark Sun Temple
A UNESCO World Heritage temple about 35 km away, built in the form of a giant chariot of the Sun god, with remarkable stone wheels and carvings.
Raghurajpur
A heritage crafts village about 15 km from Puri where almost every house is a studio for pattachitra paintings, palm-leaf engraving and other crafts.
Chilika Lake
A large brackish lagoon about 50 km away. Boats from Satapada head towards the sea mouth, where Irrawaddy dolphins are often seen.
Bhubaneswar
The state capital, about 60 km away, famous for the Lingaraj Temple, the Mukteshwar Temple and the rock-cut caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri.
Experiences
Top Things to Do in Puri
- 1
Visit the Jagannath Temple
Plan darshan early in the morning and leave phones, cameras and leather items outside, as they are not allowed in the temple.
- 2
Eat mahaprasad at Ananda Bazar
The temple kitchen's food offering, cooked in earthen pots, is sold at Ananda Bazar inside the temple complex to Hindu devotees.
- 3
Watch sand art on the beach
Puri is famous for its sand artists, whose detailed sculptures often appear on the beach.
- 4
Day trip to Konark
Drive along the coastal road to Konark, stopping at Chandrabhaga beach and the Ramachandi area on the way.
- 5
Spot dolphins at Chilika
Take a boat from Satapada for a chance to see Irrawaddy dolphins and visit the point where the lagoon meets the sea.
- 6
Shop for crafts at Raghurajpur
Meet artists at work and buy pattachitra paintings and palm-leaf art straight from the people who make them.
Weather
Best Time to Visit Puri
The best time to visit Puri is October to March. Here is what each season is like.
Summer
March to June
27°C to 38°C
Hot and humid, with sea breezes in the evenings. The Rath Yatra may fall in late June, bringing huge crowds.
Monsoon
July to September
25°C to 33°C
Frequent heavy rain and rough seas. The Rath Yatra often falls in early July, and the countryside turns green.
Winter
October to February
15°C to 30°C
The best season, with pleasant days and mild evenings ideal for the beach and day trips. October and November can occasionally bring cyclones along this coast.
Getting there
How to Reach Puri
By Air
Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, about 60 km away, is the nearest airport, with flights to most major Indian cities. Taxis take around one and a half hours to reach Puri.
By Rail
Puri station is a terminus with direct trains from Kolkata (Howrah), Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad and other cities. Bhubaneswar and Khurda Road junction have even more connections.
By Road
Puri is about 60 km from Bhubaneswar and about 500 km from Kolkata. Frequent buses and shared vehicles run between Bhubaneswar and Puri, and the coastal road to Konark is a scenic drive.
Taste of the city
Famous Food of Puri
Mahaprasad
The sacred food of the Jagannath Temple, including rice, dal, vegetables and sweets, cooked in earthen pots without onion or garlic.
Khaja
A flaky, layered fried sweet that is closely associated with Puri and sold in shops near the temple.
Chhena poda
Odisha's famous baked cottage cheese dessert, with a caramelised crust and soft centre.
Dalma
Lentils cooked with vegetables and a tempering of cumin and panch phoron, a staple of Odia home cooking.
Pakhala bhata
Fermented rice soaked in water, eaten with fried fish, vegetables or roasted sides, especially in summer.
Seafood
Fresh prawns, crab and fish curries are widely available in the restaurants along the beach road.
What to Buy in Puri
- Pattachitra paintings from Raghurajpur
- Pipli appliqué work
- Sambalpuri and other Odisha handloom textiles
- Stone and wooden Jagannath idols
- Khaja and other temple sweets
Travel Tips for Puri
- Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the Jagannath Temple; respect the rules and do not try to enter.
- Swim only in supervised areas and follow lifeguard instructions, as currents can be strong.
- During the Rath Yatra, book transport and stays months ahead and expect heavy security and crowds.
- Be wary of touts who offer special darshan arrangements at the temple.
FAQs
Puri Travel FAQs
What is the best time to visit Puri?
October to March is the best time to visit Puri for pleasant weather. Pilgrims often plan around the Rath Yatra in June or July despite the heat and rain.
How many days are enough for Puri?
Two to three days are enough for the Jagannath Temple, the beach, Konark and Raghurajpur. Add a day for Chilika Lake.
What is Puri famous for?
Puri is famous for the Jagannath Temple, the annual Rath Yatra, its long beach, mahaprasad, sand art and nearby crafts villages.
Can non-Hindus enter the Jagannath Temple?
No. Only Hindus are permitted inside the Jagannath Temple in Puri, though visitors can see the temple's exterior and the activity around it.
How far is Konark from Puri?
Konark is about 35 km from Puri along the coastal road, roughly an hour's drive.
When is the Rath Yatra in Puri?
The Rath Yatra is held every year in June or July, depending on the Hindu lunar calendar.
