There’s a story, an interesting history and a lot of significance behind the Jagannath Rath Yatra. Read on to find out! 

Dates and Timings

According to the holy Hindu calendar, Jagannath Rath Yatra will be organised on the Dwitiya Tithi during Shukla Paksha of the Ashada month. According to the Gregorian calendar, this usually falls in the month of June or July. 

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 will begin at 4:26 AM on 7th July and end at 4:59 AM on 8th July. However, the festivities are not limited to just one day. We will learn more about that in the coming sections. 

History of Jagannath Rath Yatra

Different stories tell us about the history of Jagannath Rath Yatra. Firstly, it is believed that on the day of Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath takes his brother Balram and sister Devi Subhadra to his birthplace. This signifies his journey from Vrindavan to Mathura. The journey of the chariot begins from the Jagannath temple and ends 3 kms away at the Gundicha temple. 

There’s another story that says that the chariot ride is a pleasant trip that the three deities decided to embark on together. One day, Devi Subhadra expressed the desire to see her aunt. The brothers prepared an elaborate chariot for their sister and went to see their aunt together. This is why, every year, the chariot travels from Jagannath temple to Gundicha temple and the deities arrive as guests at their aunt’s house. 

The local folklore of Odisha is very different. The people in Puri believe that Gundicha was the wife of King Indradyumna, the person who initially built the Jagannath temple on the orders of Lord Jagannath himself. Queen Gundicha was an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna. She helped in the construction of the temple and did several good deeds to earn the praise of her people. She asked Lord Jagannath for a wish. She wanted him to come out of the temple once a year so that the sinners and untouchables who are often not allowed in the temple would also be able to see the Lord and seek salvation. Honouring her wish, Lord Jagannath travels from his temple to the abode of Queen Gundicha or the Gundicha temple. 

There is so much to learn about Jagannath Temple in Puri. Every story associated with the holy shrine will leave you mesmerised. 

Significance of Jagannath Rath Yatra

The word Jagannath can be divided into two distinct terms – ‘Jag’ or ‘Jagan’ which means the universe and ‘Nath’ which means Lord. Jagannath literally means the Lord of the Universe. The Jagannath temple is one of the shrines in the Chaar Dham Yatra of Hinduism. It is believed that devotees must visit the four temples of the Chaar Dham before they die to attain moksha or salvation. It will rid them of the karmic cycle and give them eternal peace. 

One glimpse of Lord Jagannath can soothe the hearts. With his wide eyes and disproportionate body, the deity is said to register the faces of all the devotees who visit them. During the Jagannath Rath Yatra, the spiritual energy is too high in Puri. Several pilgrims from across the world come to offer their prayers. You will be surprised to see the crowd that gathers in the coastal city! 

Jagannath Rath Yatra is all about unity and togetherness. There is no discrimination among the people who gather to pull the chariot. Anyone, irrespective of their religion, caste, creed and colour can pull the chariot, offer their prayers to the deities and seek blessings. This is the time when the successors of Odisha also join the crowd and become one with them despite their privileges. In the eyes of God, everyone is equal. This is exactly what Queen Gundicha also wanted when she asked Lord Jagannath for a yearly ‘darshan’ to the people outside the temple walls. 

The chariot and the rituals

The construction of the three chariots that will be used in Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 is not a simple affair. They are newly constructed every year using raw materials from specific trees like Phassi and Dhausa. They are brought from the state of Dasapalla by a group of carpenters who belong to a specific family. This family has earned the hereditary rights to construct the chariots every year. The logs of wood are set as rafts on River Mahanadi and are collected near Puri. These are then transported by the road and taken to the temple premises. 

Each of the three chariots has its own unique design. These chariots are made to stand on Bada Dhanda or the Grand Avenue which is closer to the eastern entrance of the temple. The chariot of Lord Jagannath has a height of roughly 44 feet. It has the exact dimensions of 34’6″ x 34’6″. There are 16 wheels supporting the chariot and it is decorated with red and yellow clothing on the top. Lord Balarama’s chariot is roughly 43 feet tall and has the exact dimensions of 33’ x 33’. It is decorated with red and green clothes on the top and has 14 wheels. Devi Subhadra’s chariot is 42 feet tall with the exact dimensions of 31’6″ x 31’6″. It is decorated with red and black clothing on the top and has 12 wheels. Lord Balarama’s chariot also has a flag on top with a palm tree emblem. 

Each of these chariots has its own charioteer and a guardian. For Lord Jagannatha’s chariot, Garuda is the guardian and Daruka is the charioteer. For Lord Balarama’s chariot, Vasudeva is the guardian and Matali is the charioteer. For the chariot of Devi Subhadra, the guardian is Jayadurga and the charioteer is Arjuna.

The Rituals

The preparations for the Jagannath Rath Yatra begin almost months prior to the actual date. This includes prepping the temple premises, the security protocol of the city and the making of the three chariots. One day before the Rath Yatra, Gundicha temple is cleaned by the devotees. This is called Gundicha Marjana. During the auspicious timing on the day of Rath Yatra, the idols from the temple are decked and brought to the chariots. Then, these chariots are moved towards the Gundicha temple. Lord Jagannath along with Balrama and Subhadra stay at the Gundicha temple for eight days. 

On the fourth day after Rath Yatra, Hera Panchami is celebrated. This is the occasion when Goddess Lakshmi, wife of Lord Jagannath, visits Gundicha temple in search of her husband. This falls on the Shashthi Tithi according to the Hindu calendar. 

After resting for 8 days in the Gundicha temple, Lord Jagannath returns to his main temple. This is the return journey that is called the Bahuda Yatra. This falls on the Dashami tithi of the Hindu calendar. During the Bahuda Yatra, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balrama and Devi Subhadra stop at Mausi Maa temple which is dedicated to Goddess Ardhashini. ‘Mausi’ means aunt. She is believed to be the aunt that Devi Subhadra wanted to visit, the story that we’ve told you above. 

There are times when the date of the return journey is sometimes delayed. This happens if there are any inauspicious days in between disrupting the time cycle. However, the Lord will return to the Jagannath temple before Devshayani Ekadashi – a festival that marks the day when Lord Jagannath enters his spiritual sleep that lasts for four months. 

18 days before the Rath Yatra, Lord Balarama and Devi Subhadra receive their ceremonial baths and this is called ‘Snana Yatra’. It falls on the Purnima Tithi in the Jyeshta month of the Hindu Calendar. 

Pilgrims and Devotion

Not just from Odisha, devotees arrive in Puri from different parts of the world. Non-resident Indians book their tickets and make arrangements well in advance to attend the Jagannath Rath Yatra. Different religious groups including ISKCON attend the ceremonial day and seek blessings from the deities. This is because witnessing the Rath Yatra is believed to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

The chariot festival is a celebration that has traditional music, dance and performances and the grand procession in itself is a spectacle that will keep you captivated. The government arranges temporary lodging facilities, camps and rest houses for the devotees because the hotel and lodging options are not sufficient to accommodate the huge influx. That is why, we suggest that you book your hotels in Puri well in advance to avoid the hassle. 

One of the most significant aspects of the Rath Yatra is the opportunity to pull the chariots. Lakhs of devotees come forward hoping that they’d get a chance to pull the chariot, even if it is for a few seconds. 

This significant influx of pilgrims is a boon to the tourism sector of Odisha. Vendors, artisans, hoteliers and the transportation sectors greatly benefit from the festive season. 

How to reach Puri?

You can reach Puri city by taking a flight from your city, by railway or even by road. It is well-connected with other Indian cities. 

By Air

People who are planning to take the flight must reach Bhubaneshwar first. This is the capital city of Odisha and is about 56 kms away from Puri. Major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru have direct flights to Biju Patnaik Airport in Bhubaneshwar. People who are coming from other countries can land in Delhi, Chennai or Hyderabad first and then take a connecting flight to Bhubaneshwar. 

By Rail

The Puri railway station receives regular trains from New Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata. If you are planning to reach Bhubaneshwar first, you can easily find daily trains from the capital to Puri. The Jagannath temple is only 3 kms away from the Puri railway station. 

By Road

There are regular buses that run between Bhubaneshwar and Gundicha temple bus stations. The distance is less and can be covered in roughly 20 minutes. NH16 connects Bhubaneshwar with other south Indian cities like Hyderabad, Chenna and Bengaluru. Once you reach Bhubaneshwar, you can easily drive toward Puri. However, during Rath Yatra, there is hardly any space to park your vehicles. The public transport is also very crowded. It is important to plan ahead to avoid sudden hindrances. 

Jagannath Rath Yatra is a celebration that brings different people together. A common love for Lord Jagannath brings devotees together. While singing the songs of the Lord of the Universe, swaying to the tunes of the wind and accompanying him to his abode of eight days, pilgrims feel a sense of spiritual enlightenment. The Rath Yatra is magical and breathtaking! You must attend it at least once in your lifetime. 

The post Jagannath Rath Yatra: A Sacred Procession In the Heart of the Coastal City of Puri appeared first on Treebo Blog.

Here’s everything you need to know about Jagannath Puri, the temple where the heart of the Lord rests. 

Also Read: Top 9 Tourist Places to Visit in Bhubaneshwar and No.9 Will Surely Blow Your Mind

History of the Temple

The Jagannath temple’s history dates back thousands of years. Though there are different stories associated with the temple, the most widely accepted history is that of King Indradyumna. 

When Lord Shri Krishna resided in Dwarka, he was resting in a dense forest near Veraval, on the western coast of Gujarat.  A hunter named Jara, mistook the leg of Shri Krishna to be a deer and hit it with an arrow. Because of the fatal injury, Lord Krishna took his last breath and told Jara that his journey on Earth had finally come to an end. Jara was devastated and felt guilty for his recklessness. The only thing he could do was properly cremate Lord Krishna respectfully. 

After Jara burned Shri Krishna’s human body, a small shiny metal piece was left in the ashes. It wouldn’t burn, Jara couldn’t sell it to anyone and didn’t understand the object. Ultimately, he set it on top of a wooden plank and let it go in a flowing river. 

King Indradyumna was a devotee of Shri Krishna. The Lord appeared in his dream and instructed him to take a bath in the river where the metal piece was left. King Indrayumna came across the mystery object and brought it back to the palace. Narada Muni asked the king to make idols of three deities – Lord Krishna, his brother Balarama, and sister Subhadra to instil in the greatest temple of all times – The Jagannath Temple. 

No one was able to do it until Lord Vishnu himself disguised himself as an architect and agreed to make the idols. But, under one condition – ‘I will take 21 days to make the idols and no one should disturb me’. 

However, the Queen, King Indradyumna’s wife grew agitated after two weeks when no noise came from the architect’s room. They opened the doors and found no one, except for the three idols made of wood that were incomplete. They didn’t have any hands. However, the king heard a divine voice instructing him to take these idols to the temple and that Lord Krishna’s heart rests in the wooden marvel! 

Today, it is said that Lord Krishna’s heart or the mysterious metal object is still within the idol and emits high electrical energy. Seeing how wood is a bad conductor, the idols can endure the radiation. However, the main priests change the idols every 12 years because the material starts to deplete and wear out because of this radiating energy. 

Deities in Jagannath Temple in Puri

In the Jagannath temple, you will see three deities – Lord Krishna, his brother Balarama, and his sister Subhadra. They are all made of neem wood, ‘daru’. You will also find smaller carvings of the Sudharshana chakra – an ethereal discus, Madanmohan idol – a form of Lord Krishna, Sridevi idol – Lord Vishnu’s wife, and Viswadhatri idol – Goddess of earth. The main three deities are all placed on a platform called the ‘Ratnabedi’. 

The idols are painted beautifully, and covered in regal clothing and jewels. The deities were worshipped even before the contemporary Jagannath temple was built. You will notice that the eyes of Lord Krishna are wide and bright while that of Balarama and Subhadra look like normal human eyes. It is said that the Lord’s eyes are wide to look at all his devotees. This form of the Jagannath is called ‘Chakadola’ or the one with big eyes.

There is also a very sweet story about this form of Lord Jagannath. Once, Subhadra and Balarama’s mother, Rohini, was narrating the mischievous yet very charming antics of Lord Krishna to the queens of Dwarka and other residents of Vrindavan. Subhadra was made to stand guard because these stories were confidential. Noticing Subhadra standing out, Balarama and Krishna came to stand on either side of her. 

Listening to what his aunt was telling about him, Lord Krishna’s eyes widened while that of Subhadra’s and Balarama’s twinkled with fascination. That is exactly what you’ll see in the Jagannath temple. 

Temple Architecture

The Jagannath temple is built in the Kalinga architecture style that is very famous in India, especially in Odisha. The temple is spread across a vast area of 37,000 square metres. The main sanctum sanctorum has the idols and has a curvilinear structure. The main dome of the temple has a pyramidal structure and has the Neelachakra at the top. This is an ethereal wheel with eight spikes made from a mixture of eight alloys. Surprisingly, no matter from which spot you look at the wheel, it will always face you. There is also a flag adjacent to the wheel that always flies in the opposite direction of the wind!

The inner temple complex consists of 120 temples and shrines. Apart from the main sanctum sanctorum or Garbhagriha, you can also see the Mukhashala – front porch, Natamandapa – dancing hall, Bhogamandapa – offering hall. 

The temple is built on a stone platform and reaches up to a height of 210 feet. The inner complex is surrounded by a wall called the kurma bedha. The entire temple complex is surrounded by an outer wall called Meghanada Pacheri which is 20 feet in height. The Jagannath temple is the tallest temple in Odisha and one of the tallest temples in the world! 

Entry Timings and Darshan Tickets

The general entry into the Jagannath temple is free of cost. But on certain occasions or festival days, the temple authorities collect INR 10 per person for darshan. The special darshan lets you seek blessings from Lord Jagannath behind closed doors in peace and tranquillity. This ticket costs INR 100 per person. 

However, it is important to note that any non-Hindus are not allowed inside the main sanctum sanctorum of the Jagannath temple. Even foreigners, Sikhs, and Buddhists are not allowed to see the deities. In the past, several foreign delegates and tourists were asked to seek blessings from outside the Jagannath temple and not enter the main Garbagriha. This is a topic of controversy but the tradition has been running strongly ever since the temple was built. 

Daily Food Offerings to the Deities

The deities are offered food or prasad six times a day in the Jagannath temple.

Offering 1: Gopala Vallabha Bhoga – The first meal of the day or breakfast at 4:00 AM that has 7 items including popcorn sweetened with sugar, a favourite of Lord Vishnu, ripe bananas, coconut gratings with jaggery, and khoa (dried whole milk). 

Offering 2: Sakala Dhupa – This is offered around 10 AM and includes Haldi Patra Pitha (made of turmeric, black gram, and coconut) and Mantha Puli (made of rice flour and urad dal) among 13 other items. 

Offering 3: Bada Sankhudi Dhupa – This offering is made around 1:00 PM and includes fermented rice or Pakhala with curd, and Kanji (brew with vegetables) pyas. This food is also given to the devotees in the Bhogamandapa. 

Offering 4: Madhyana Dhupa – This is offered before 3:00 PM and is the main meal of the Lord in the afternoon. A variety of sweets, desserts, and snacks are offered. 

Offering 5: Sandhya Dhupa – This is offered at 8:00 PM and includes snacks, sweets, and rice preparations. 

Offering 6: Bada Singhara Dhupa – This is the last meal for the day and will be served at 11:15 PM. It includes simple recipes made with different types of dal, rose petals, and rice. 

The kitchen where the offerings for Lord Jagannath are cooked is the second biggest in the country. It is said that Goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu, supervises the cooking and if she is displeased, a shadow of a dog appears at the entry door. If the cooks and priests notice the shadow, the food is immediately recooked. All recipes here are devoid of onions and garlic and completely vegetarian. 

It is said that the Puri Jagannath temple never falls short of Prasad because the Lord makes sure that every devotee returns home with a filled stomach. 

Why Is Puri Jagannath Temple so important to Hindus?

The Puri Jagannath temple is one of the Char Dhams that hold great significance in Hinduism. The Puri Jagannath temple in the east, Badrinath in the north, Dwarkadeesh temple in the west, and Ramanathaswamy temple in the south. It is said that these pilgrimage sites are situated in the four corners of the country and visiting them at least once in a lifetime can help devotees seek salvation. The journey usually begins at the Jagannath temple in the east and moves in the clockwise direction. This is very similar to the circumambulations that Hindus do in temples. 

You Can Read More About the Char Dhams Here: Experience the Pilgrimage of a Lifetime on This Char Dham Yatra!

The Rath Yatra of Puri Jagannath Temple 

The Rath Yatra or the Rath Jatra is one of the biggest chariot festivals in the country. This annual celebration brings the devotees closer to Lord Jagannath and is also mentioned in the Brahma Purana, Skandha Purana, Padma Purana, and Kapila Purana. It happens on the second day of the Ashada month in the lunar calendar, usually in June and July. 

Lord Jagannath, Lord Balarama, and Goddess Subhadra are brought out of their shrine and taken on a rath yatra or chariot ride. It is a week-long event when Lord Jagannath sees his devotees in person and people come to look at his glorious form. 

The chariots are made of wood taken from traditional trees like phassi and dhausa. The carpenters who make the chariots have been doing so for generations and believe it to be their birthright to serve the Lord. 

The deities along with the Sudarshan chakra leave the Jagannath temple and move to the Gundicha temple. They stay here for a week before returning to their home – Jagannath Puri. On their way back, they stop by the Maa Mausi temple (aunt’s abode), and are served Poda Pitha (a type of pancake made of rice flour). It is as if they’ve set out on a journey, stopped to greet their aunt, and ultimately return to their home. 

A lot of people, usually in lakhs, gather to seek blessings from Lord Jagannath. It is believed that attending the rath yatra, talking about it, or even knowing about it can open doors to heaven. 

How to Reach Puri?

Puri is well connected with the rest of the metropolitan cities in India. You can either board a flight, take a train, or use the well-developed road transport routes to reach Jagannath Temple Puri. 

While you are here, book your stay at Hotels in Puri, relax for a while after the journey, wear fresh clothes, and go to the temple for darshan. 

By Air

Bhubaneshwar is the capital city of Odisha and is only 56km from Puri. You can take a flight from any of the other Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore to reach Biju Patnaik Airport in Bhubaneshwar. International travellers must reach Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, or Hyderabad first and then head toward Bhubaneshwar. 

By Rail

The Puri Railway Station receives regular trains from Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata. You also have trains that run between Bhubaneshwar and Puri. The Jagannath temple is roughly 3 km away from the railway junction.

By Road

Buses run regularly between Bhubaneshwar and the Gundicha temple bus station in Puri. The distance can be covered in 15-20 minutes. NH16 connects southern cities like Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore with Bhubaneshwar. People coming from the south can reach here first and head toward Puri. 

Plan your trip to Jagannath temple soon and indulge in the peaceful hymns and positive chants of the ‘Lord of the Universe’. 

The post Jagannath Temple: The Timeless Beauty of the Ancient Pilgrimage Shrine appeared first on Treebo Blog.

Puri sightseeing is incomplete without the Rath Yatra or Chariot Festival that takes place in the month of June-July every year. It is one of the most famous festivals celebrated in Puri where thousands of devotees take part in the procession and pay obeisance to the deities. Puri Jagannath Temple is also a sacred pilgrimage site and one of the Char Dhams in India. The best time to visit Puri is from July to March and must be avoided during the peak summer months. Here is a comprehensive list of all the top places to visit in Puri while you plan a trip to this sacred city.

Top 10 Puri Tourist Places to Visit

1. Shri Jagannath Temple – Worship the Trio of Deities

Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri

Located in the sacred city of Puri, Shri Jagannath Temple is one of the must-visit places in Puri. The temple was constructed by the King Indradyumna in the 11th century AD. This temple is dedicated to three deities namely Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra. An interesting fact about this temple is that the image of the deity Jagannath, which is made up of woods is religiously replaced after every 12-19 years with an exact replica. During the rath yatra or the chariot festival, the three principal deities are decorated and installed in temple cars or rath and taken out in a procession during the month of June-July.

• Time to visit: 5:30 AM to 10 PM
• Entry fee: Free

You may also like – Famous temples in Indian to visit for a holy experience

2. Chilika Lake – Most Popular Abode of Migratory Birds

Chilika Lake, Puri

Chilika Lake is the second largest brackish water lagoon in the world and also one of the most popular Puri tourist places to visit. It is also an abode to a number of threatened animal and plant species as well as to innumerable migratory birds such as flamingoes, that visit this lake during the winters. Chilika Lake is also famous for the astounding view of sunrise and sunset that you can witness from here. You can also visit Bird Island, Honeymoon Island and Breakfast Island, the famous attractions that you can visit while visiting Chilika Lake.

3. Puri Beach – Enjoy Watching the Crashing Waves

Puri Beach

One of the most beautiful beaches bordering the Bay of Bengal, Puri Beach is a favourite of devotees and tourists who flock this city for pilgrimage or a Puri tour. Witnessing sunrise and sunset from Puri Beach’s shore is a spectacular experience that you cannot miss. Also, people throng this beach to take a dip in the blue waters of the sea as they believe it will purify them of all sins. The golden sand along with the gushing waters make you feel tranquil and calm.

You may also read about the 37 Best Beaches in India to Visit

4. Narendra Tank – A Calm and Serene Place

Narendra Tank, Puri

This 15th-century tank in Puri is one of the largest in Orissa that is dotted by numerous big and small temples along the shore. In the centre or the lake, there is an island with a temple called Chandana Mandap. If you love to spend some time in a calm and serene place, Narendra Tank is one of the best places to visit in Puri.

5. Raghurajpur Artist Village – Abode to Immaculate Artists

Raghurajpur Artist Village, Puri

A paradise for artists and art lovers, Raghurajpur is one of the most amazing places to visit in Puri. You can witness the Pattachitra paintings, an indigenous art form of Odisha, and others like engravings on palm leaf or wood, intricate stone carvings and more. You can also watch the Gotipua folk dance which considered a predecessor to Odissi. Raghiurajpur village is also the only place where decorations for Lord Jagannath’s throne is designed. All these make this village a must-visit place in during your Puri sightseeing to get a glimpse of the wealth of art and craft this city possesses.

6. Markandeshwar Temple – Seek the Blessings of the Lord

Markandeshwar Temple, Puri

Markandeshwar Temple is an artistically and aesthetically built temple in the sacred city of Puri. Legend has it that this is the place where sage Markandeya meditated on the Hindu deity Lord Shiva. There is also a Markandeshwara Tank near the temple and the water from the tank is used for ritualistic purposes. Ceremonies like Pind Daan, Mundan Kriya etc are done near the tank and its waters are used for these purposes as well. The temple is adorned with beautifully carves structures of Lord Shiva, Nandi, Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha which makes it one of the most sought-after places to visit in Puri.

7. Gundicha Temple – God’s Summer Garden Retreat

Gundicha Temple, Puri

The destination of the famous Rath Yatra, Gundicha temple is a very prominent Hindu temple in Puri. During the Rath Yatra, the temple is thronged by hundreds of deities to pay obeisance to Lord Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra, whose images are installed for 9 days in this holy temple. The beautiful temple stands in the centre of a garden and is surrounded by high-raised walls all around. The temple is built in the Deula style using light-grey sandstone. Gundicha temple is also known as God’s Summer Garden Retreat since it is built inside a garden. Visit this enchanting temple during your Puri tour and admire its beautiful architecture.

8. Loknath Temple – Temple Where Shivlinga Is Submerged in Water

Loknath Temple, Puri

Loknath Temple is an 11th-century temple located close to Jagannath Temple in the holy city of Puri and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Legend has it that the Shiv Linga was installed here by Lord Rama. An interesting fact about this temple is that the Shiv Linga is always underwater which indicates that the Ganga flows on through the top of the Linga, just like it flows out the top of the Lord himself.  Saranti Somvar Fair is a famous festival celebrated here in a grand manner and the devotees believe that the Lord has the power of curing all their sufferings. All these facts make Loknath Temple one of the most important places to visit in Puri.

9. Sudarshan Craft Museum – Admire the Spectacular Craft Here

Sudharshan Craft Museum, Puri

If you admire art and craft and love watching beautiful sculptures being built by the talented sculptors who magically create such an astounding piece of art, walk into Sudarshan Craft Museum in Puri without a second thought. Established and run by the very famous Sri Sudharshan Sahoo, this museum displays his immaculate sculptures created by this maestro. A true paradise for art lovers, this museum gives you a glimpse of how this intricate craft is used to build life-size sculptures. Do not forget to include this amazing place in your Puri sightseeing itinerary!

• Time to visit: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 2:00PM to 8:00PM – Saturday, Sunday
• Entry fee: Indians – Rs 5; Foreigners – Rs 50

10. Lakshmi Temple – A Significant Temple in Puri

Lakshmi Temple, Puri

Lakshmi Temple is located close to the Jagannath Temple and is a very significant temple as far as the Hindu religion is concerned. Legend has it the when Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati, Goddess Lakshmi had invited them to this temple in Puri. The beautiful architecture and the location of this temple make it one of the best places to visit in Puri.

Here’s a list of top 10 places to visit in Puri and we are sure you will include them in your upcoming Puri tour. If you are aware of the long weekends in 2020, a trip to Puri will find a perfect place in your bucket list!  You can book good and quality budget hotels in Puri and enjoy a comfortable stay here. If you have already visited these places, do mention your experiences in the comments section below!

The post 10 Amazing Places to Visit in Puri To Admire the True Essence of This Place appeared first on Treebo Blog.