4. Puri

4. Puri

Jaganath Temple

Image credit – BOMBMAN, 

For those with a particular religious faith, Puri might bring to mind the famous Jagannath Temple and the Sun Temple. For nature lovers, the beautiful beaches in the land may hold attraction. The vibrant land is famous for many festivals being a temple-rich place and it enjoys heavy footprints from all parts of the world. Here are the top attractions in Puri.

• Jagannath Temple
• Puri Beach
• Swargadwar Beach
• Chilika Lake
• Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary
• Daya River
• Gundicha Ghar Temple
• Raghurajpur
• Atharnala Bridge
• Pipili

• 1. Jagannath Temple

  
  Photo by Abhishek Barua, 
  Built in 1161, the Jagannath Temple is one of the major Hindu Temples in India. The primary deity of the temple is Lord Jagannath, who is a form of Lord Vishnu. Interestingly, unlike the statues found in other Hindu temple, the statue of Lord Jagannath is carved from wood and is replaced every 12 years. The Temple is a part of the Char Dham Hindu pilgrimage and is a must visit attraction in Puri.

  2. Puri Beach

  
  Photo by Graeme Churchard, 
  Located at the shores of the Bay of Bengal the Puri Beach is the site of the annual beach festival and is also a sacred place for the Hindus. The beach is a common sight for sand art and is one of the most peaceful beaches to visit while visiting in winters.

  3. Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary

  One of the major wildlife sanctuaries in Orrisa, the Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across an area of 1100 sq kilometers. The sanctuary is located by the eponymous Chilika Lake which makes the area the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest in the world. The sanctuary is home to a large verity of fauna and avi-fauna species and is a definitive photographer’s delight.

  4. Atharnala Bridge

  Built by the kings of the Ganga Dynasty in the 13th century, Atharnala is a medieval bridge that is exemplified by the 18 passages it comprises of. The Bridge is considered a protected archeological heritage and is 85 meters in length. The best time to visit again is during the winter months when the views of the surroundings can be enjoyed at their best.

  5. Gundicha Ghar Temple

  
  Photo by Aditya Mahar, 
  Built in a distinctive kalinga style, the Gundicha Ghar Temple was built by the queen of King Indradyumna the founder of the 1st Jagannath temple. The temple is located right next to the Jagannath Temple and is a common place of the festivities during the annual car festival known as the ‘Ratha Yatra’. The architecture of the temple is a marvel to behold and is ornate with intricate and artistic stone carvings.