Places of Interest

Jagannath Temple Puri

The Temple of Lord Jagannath built during the 12th century A.D. by Chodaganga Deva dominates the landscape for kilometers around. Being the tallest temple (65 metres) in Orissa, it is one of the most magnificent pieces of monuments of India. In front of the main gate stands a 16 sided monolithic pillar (11 metres high), called Aruna Stambha which formally stood in front of the Sun Temple and was brought to Puri during the 18th century A.D. Some of the other important temples are :

Gundicha Temple,Puri
Lokonath Temple,Puri
Jambeswar temple,Puri
Sapta Matruka images near Markandeswar tank Puri
Sun Temple,Konark
Barahi Temple,at Chourasi,in Nimapara Block
Mangala Temple,Kakatpur
Sakhigopal Temple,at Sakhigopal
Amareswar Temple, at Amareswar,Nimapara Block
Sculpture shed at Bishnupur,Nimapara
Gramswar Temple,Terundia,Nimapara
Alarnath Temple,Brhamgiri
Baliharachandi Temple,Brhamagiri,Block
Kunteswar Temple,Araorh,Pipil Block
Harihar Temple,near Pipil
Shiva Temple,Jagadalpur at Delang Block
Tara image at Badatara,Gop
Bayalisbati Temple,near Gop
Mohabir Temple,Siruli Sadar Block

There are also a number of holy tanks like Narendra, Markandeya, Sweta Ganga and Indradyumna. There are many Monasteries locally known as Mathas also of tourist interest.

Excavated Archeological Sites

Kurum

It is 80 Km away from Konark.The excavation work conducted here reveal the remains at Buddhists artifacts at 10 th century A.D.

Manikapatana

It is in Krushnaprasad block from which the remains at mediaeval period are found.

Klkha patana on Puri Konark Marine drive road where the remains of 15th century was found.

Museum

District Museum Puri

With a view to preserve and project our rich cultural heritage, the district Museum at Puri is functioning since 1997. It is one of the branch museum of Orissa state museum and managed by Govt of Orissa. Different veshas of Lord Jagannath, Sculptures of various Kinds, Patta paintings oalm leaf paintings, Handicrafts of numerous varieties are displayed in this museum. It is located at the station road, Puri-2. There is no entry fee for visiting this museum.

Another handicraft museum is situated at Batagaon, 5 Kms formPuri on puri Bhubaneswar road. It is managed by a Co-operative Society.

Libraries

Dist Library

The Dist library of Puri is situated at station road and having more than 15000 books daily News paper and Magazines are brought to this library regularly. It is managed by dept of culture, Govt of Orissa. Anyone interested can read in this library. There is no lending facilities.

Panchasakha Memorial Hall Library, Sakhigopal

This library is also managed by department of culture, Orissa. It has more than 4000 books at its stock. Monday is the weekly holidays. To extend library activities in rural areas, registered libraries functioning at different parts of the district are encouraged with various distance from Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation Calcutta through State Govt.

Places of Interest around Puri

Balighai (8 km)

The Casuarina fringed Balighai beach is a famous picnic spot. The Sun and fun at the mouth of the river Nuanai is unforgettable.

Brahmagiri (25 km)

Brahmagiri is known for the living shrine of Alarnath. Streams of pilgrims visit Alarnath during Anabasara of Lord Jagannath. Nearby is the shrine of Baliharachandi on the solitary sand dunes.

Satyabadi (20 km)

Satyabadi or Sakshigopal is known for the shrine of Lord Sakshigopal. It is believed that the visit to Puri is incomplete without a visit to Sakshigopal. The temple is only 2 km away from the main road leading to Puri and is convenient to visit.

Baliharachandi (27 km)

27 km to the south-west of Puri is the temple of Baliharachandi. Situated on a sandy hill near the sea and adjacent to the mouth of the river Bhargavi, Goddess Durga is worshipped here as Baliharachandi. The scenic beauty of this place is ideal for group picnic.

Raghurajpur (16 km)

One of the most famous artists village in Orissa, the village of Raghurajpur boasts not only of the exquisite pattachitra's and talapattachitra's, but also of being the native place of Guru kelucharan Mohapatra, the famed Odissi dancer. Even today, under the tutelage of renowned Guru's, young boys can be seen practicing the Gotipua dance here. A visit to Orissa would definitely be incomplete without a visit to this little village.

Satapara (52 km)

Satapara, a retreat in nature on Chilika Lake, has been thrown open to visitors. Its location near the confluence of the Lake with the Bay of Bengal, and proximity to Puri (52 km), makes it an ideal spot to enjoy Chilika. The thrilling sight of dolphins round the year and abundance of migratory and resident birds in winter make it a preferred place for a vacation with nature.