Puri
Puri is one of the most captivating tourist destinations in India. It is located in Orissa which is one of the top tourism states in India. Puri is visited by most of the people for religious reasons as it is one of the four most holy ‘Dhams’ (holy places) of the Hindus. But a large number of tourists come here to have unlimited fun. Travel to Puri is exciting and energetic as you can take part in various adventures of the land. Then, most importantly, you may get an opportunity to view the unparalleled beauty of rising and setting sun. The attraction of Puri is that tourists discover the fact that the whole city is dominated by two great forces namely the sea and the temple of Lord Jagannath. So take travel to Puri and add some unforgettable moments in your life.
History of Puri
It is believed that Puri was a densely wooded hill which was inhabited by a tribe called Sabaras. It was a pre-Aryan and pre-Dravidian tribe. It is said that the present Jagannath Temple was built by the illustrious ruler of the Ganga dynasty named Chodaganga Dev in twelfth century. Some valiant kings of the Surya dynasty like A.D. Kapilendra Dev, Purusottam Dev and Prataprudra Dev added glory and grandeur to the history, art and culture of the land. Even during the Mughal and Maratha rule Jagannath worship did not lose its importance. Your travel to Puri will help you come close to the constructions given shape by these rulers.
Festivals
There are elaborate daily worship services. There are many festivals each year attended by millions of people. The most important festival is the Rath Yatra or the Chariot festival in June. This spectacular festival includes a procession of three huge chariots bearing the idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra through the Bada Danda meaning the Grand Avenue of Puri till their final destination the Gundicha Temple.
Chilka Lake
Chilka Lake is a brackish water lagoon, spread over the Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha state on the east coast of India, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal, covering an area of over 1,100 km2. It is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest lagoon in the World.
Puri Beach
Puri Beach is a beach in the city of Puri in the state of Odisha, India. It is on the shore of the Bay of Bengal. It is known for being a tourist attraction and a Hindu sacred place. The beach is the site of the annual Puri Beach Festival, which is co-sponsored by the Indian Ministry of Tourism, the city of Odisha, the Development Commissioner of Handicrafts, and the Eastern Zonal Cultural Center, Kolkata. The beach hosts sand art displays, including work by international award winning local sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik.
Jagannath Temple at Puri
The Temple of Jagannath at Puri is one of the major Hindu temples in India. The temple is built in the Kalinga style of architecture, with the Pancharatha (Five chariots) type consisting of two anurathas, two konakas and one ratha. Jagannath temple is a pancharatha with well-developed pagas. ‘Gajasimhas’ (elephant lions) carved in recesses of the pagas, the ‘Jhampasimhas’ (Jumping lions) are also placed properly. The perfect pancharatha temple developed into a Nagara-rekha temple with unique Oriya style of subdivisions like the Pada, Kumbha, Pata, Kani and Vasanta. The Vimana or the apsidal structure consists of several sections superimposed one over other, tapering to the top where the Amalakashila and Kalasa are placed.
