Beaches And Riverside Gateways: 7 Best Things To Do In Puri, India

1. Jagannath Temple

A visit to Puri cannot be considered complete without paying homage to Lord Jagannath. Begin your holiday by taking a blessing from the sovereign monarch of the Odishan empire. It is one of the most sacred places for Hindus. It is believed that the idols of three deities in the temple are as old as the human civilization. To unveil this mystery, several national and foreign historians visit the temple and study the deities. But so far, they have never been able to uncover the secrets of the three deities.

The ancient design of the temple conceals a secret in it. Currently, the date of the establishment of this temple is unknown and it seems the historians will take many more years to come to a definite conclusion.

Jagannath Temple

Address: Temple Road, Puri, Odisha 75200

Website: Jagannath Temple

2. Nalbana Bird Sanctuary

One of the best ways to spend your day time is certainly visiting the Nalbana Bird Sanctuary. It is a protected wildlife refuge, spread across an area of 1,555 hectares (3,843 acres) of land; this bird sanctuary is one of its kind in the country. There is also the presence of a lake in this location, wherein the seawater and lake amalgamate, leading to the support of a larger ecosystem. The Nalbana Bird Sanctuary is basically an island inside Chilika Lake. This place is nothing less than a paradise for birdwatchers.

Nalbana Bird Sanctuary

Address: Nalaban, Odisha 752030

Website: Nalbana Bird Sanctuary

3. Varahi Deula Temple

The Varahi Deula Temple is known for the beautiful sculpture that this temple possesses. The spellbinding architecture of this temple will leave you speechless. It was built in 10th-century. Its design is inspired by Kalingan architecture and it is situated on the banks of Prachi River. The serene vibes that this pious temple emits make this place so peaceful. When you step into the temple, you will see an eye-catching idol of Lord Ganesha. The erotic carvings of this temple are admirable.

Varahi Deula Temple

Address: Varaahi Deula Temple, Puri district, Orissa

Website: Varahi Deula Temple

4. Raghurajpur Artist Village

Situated in Puri, the Raghurajpur Village is known for its art. You will never find another place like Raghurajpur in the world. In this village, there are around 100 houses and almost everyone living in the village is an artist. And they are not just some ordinary artists. They are Pattachitra painters, which is an ancient art form that dates back to 5 BC.

Apart from this, the villagers also create traditional masks, stone idols, paper mâche, sculptures, and wooden toys. Thousands of tourists visit the village every month to see the art and craftsmanship of the villagers. Some of the artists from this village have also won National Awards for their incredible work.

Raghurajpur Artist Village

Address: Puri district, Odisha

Website: Raghurajpur Artist Village

5. Chillika Lake

Chillika Lake is known for its breathtaking beauty and peaceful surroundings. This lake is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon and it is one of the most significant wetlands in the world because a variety of birds migrate here in different seasons. November and February are the best times to visit Chilika Lake as this is the time when the lake appears very colorful, because of the presence of more than 160 species of birds. There are several islands like Nalabana, Kalijal, Somolo, Honeymoon, Break-fast, Birds and Rajahansa in this massive lake, where you can visit and meet the families of local fishermen. You can easily go out and spend a day chilling around this lake, viewing the beauty of nature.

Chillika Lake

Address: Chilika Lake, Puri, India

Website: Chillika Lake

6. Puri Beach

Puri Beach is an ideal location to relax on your weekend. Feel the cold breeze and listen to the roar of the waves and enjoy your day at Puri Beach. Walking on the fine white sand will take you to a land of fantasy. The place will give you a much-needed break. Being 2 km (1.2 mi) away from the Puri railway station, this beach attracts a number of tourists from around the world. Puri Beach is the perfect place to take a break from the busy city and spend time with friends and family while relaxing.

Puri Beach

Website: Puri Beach

7. Konark Beach

There is another awesome beach in Puri, and that is Konark Beach. This beach is a major tourist attraction because of two primary reasons; firstly, the beach is the perfect outing location for families and friends, and secondly, it is the home of the Ramchandi Temple, which is situated along the beach.

Visit the beach in the morning, when you will not find many people there. Spending a day there would be a great plan, but don’t forget to take your food along with you as you won’t find many eateries. Go and take some beautiful photos while collecting sea shells. Just don’t step on the crabs that may also be walking on the white sand of the beach!

Konark Beach

Address: Konark Beach, Puri, India

Website: Konark Beach

The perfect holiday package!

Visiting Puri provides the perfect tour package, that includes ancient temples, mesmerizing beaches and adventurous wildlife sanctuaries. You shouldn’t delay anymore. Pack your bags and let’s visit Puri, India!