PURI

PURI, the city by the sea, is a major pilgrim centre in India. Adi Shankara founded one of the Peethas here. Puri is also famous for its Golden Beach, ideal for swimming and surfing.

But the fame of Puri emanates most from the Jagannath Temple, which contributed the word ‘Juggernaut’ to the English language. This 12^th century temple is known for its annual Rath Yatra or Car Festival. Within its precincts are the smaller temples of Vimala, Lakshmi, Vishnu and innumerable Gods and Goddesses and the Ananda Bazar, the world’s biggest food market. Gundicha Ghar is a small sanctum about 2 km from the main temple, where the idols are taken during Rath Yatra for a week’s sojourn. On the outskirts of the city is Shri Lokanath, an honoured shrine of Lord Shiva.

The grand road called Bada Danda is a shopper’s delight. It offers typical Puri handicrafts like miniature stone sculptures, wood carvings, sea-shell items, patta-paintings on cloth and applique work. Shoppers have another avenue at Swargadwara at the southern end of the beach. The atharnala Bridge near Puri spans seven centuries. Built in the 13^th century A. D. this engineering marvel over the Madhupur stream is still is use. Talking of beaches, never miss the Balighai. This is an estuary of the river Nuanai, 8 km north of Puri. A famous picnic spot, it abounds in deer and colourful birds.

Brahmagiri, 25 km from Puri, is known for the Alaranath shrine. The Baliharachandi shrine is nearby. Only 27km from Brahmagiri is Satpada, an ideal place to enjoy Chilika and to have a glimpse of cavorting Dolphins. The Sakshigopal Temple, with a life-size image of Lord Krishna and the Artists village, Raghurajpur are 25 km and 15 km respectively from Puri.

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