Puri Travel Attractions
Places To See in Puri
Jagannath Temple
Long before one reaches Puri, the 214 feet (65 meters) spire of the
temple can be seen towering over the countryside. This visual
dominance is symbolic of the influence which the temple commands over
almost every aspect of life in Puri. Just before the gate stands an
opulent 16 sided monolithic pillar measuring 11 meters in height,
Arunastambh; architectural zenith with exquisite carvings which was
brought here from Konark in the 18th century. The temple sanctorum
holds three richly decorated effigies of Lord Jagannath, his brother
Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. There are 36 traditional communities,
divided into 97 classes, who render a specific hereditary service to
the deities. 20,000 servants wait on him whereas 400 cooks prepare a
whopping 100 dishes for over 10,000 devotees. The temple is said to
have the largest kitchen in the world.
The Swargadwar
On the seashore to the south of the temple, Swargadwar (Gateway to
Heaven) is a sacred spot where a dip in the sea is believed to give
eternal salvation. According to ancient scriptures, the Brahmadaru,
from which the three main deities of the Jagannath temple are carved
out, floated to the beach at Swargadwar. Moreover this place still
resonates to the footsteps of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, harbinger of
Vaishnav sect, who spent so much time here with his intimate
associates.
The Puri Beach
The Puri Beach is one of the most sought after beaches in India and
is an indispensable part of the city. The abode of Lord Jagannath
attracts millions of tourists round the year who come here to take a
holy bath, which they believe is a golden path to Moksha or Eternal
salvation. Thanks to the golden sands and castles built on them by
enthusiast tourists, the beach displays a gala of exquisite sceneries
with the blending of colours during dusk and dawn at the backdrop.
Spiritual Hubs or Maths
Puri has been an important spiritual center for centuries. Adi
Shankaracharya (788-820 AD), the great Hindu saint and philosopher,
established the oldest "math" in the city. Today, with more
than 150 maths, some a 1000 years old, this cardinal pilgrimage center
of the Hindus offer an eclectic spiritual menu to every visitor in
search of instant gratification. Look out for a list of maths complete
with their addresses, at the temple office. A 5 minute walk from Tota
Gopinath temple will bring you to Chatak Parbat Gaudiya Math. This
temple is in the area where Sri Chaitanya mistook the sand dunes to
Govardhan Hill.
Gundicha Mandir
At the other end of Grand Road is the birthplace of Lord Jagannath,
the Gundicha Mandir. This is where the Brahmadaru or Sacred Log was
carved into three deities- Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra.
Also known as Masi Ma's (aunt's) house, this architecturally prosaic
temple is cleaned on the day before the Rath Yatra. During the Car
festival, the deities remain in Gundicha temple for seven days, where
the Lord is offered a delicacy known as Podapitha (fire baked cake).
Atharnala Bridge
Built in the 13th century, this 88 mt long bridge is situated at the
entrance to the city. Stretched over 18 spans and built of laterite
and sandstone, this site is also very popular among devotees where
they extend their respect, with folded hands to the bridge and the
temple.
Tota Gopinath Mandir
Located by the beach in the Swargadwar area, this temple is a 5 min
walk from the Chatak Parbat Purushottam Gaudiya Math. On the far left
altar is Lord Balaram with His two wives, Revati and Varuni. On the
middle altar is Tota Gopinath, in sitting posture, accompanied by
black deities of Radha and Lalita. On the right altar are the deities
of Radha-Madana Mohan and Gaura Gadadhar. Gaudiya Vaishnavas believe
that Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ended his incarnation by entering into
the knees of the Gopinath deity. A morning visit to the shrine, around
seven, can provide you with a glimpse of the crack in His knee.
Sudarshan Crafts Museum
Situated on the station road, the Sudarshan Crafts Museum, is named
after proficient craftsman, Padmashree Sudarshan Sahu. The museum is a
training-cum-production center, where you can watch apostles carve
traditional stone and wooden statues, besides paintings. A magnificent
Buddhist temple built in 1985 stands nearby.
Major Circuits
Major Tour Packages To Maharashtra
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