Puri, the sacred home of Lord Jagannath, is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in India. Being one of the “Char Dham” spiritual sites, Puri has a rich cultural heritage dating back to the third century B.C.
This temple town in India is best known for its many ancient temples with great historical and religious significance — one of them being the Jagannath Temple, famous for the Rath Yatra festival. Along with the temples, this place is also known for its rivers and beaches, perfect for spending an evening away from crowded city life.
Since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated by the tourist attractions in Puri. While planning a trip to the city of Lord Jagannath, the first thing I did was book the best Puri hotel online, then went on planning the rest of the trip. Let’s get into more details about the trip.
Witnessed a Surreal Sunrise
There’s no better way to start the trip than by visiting Puri Beach during dawn, when it all unfolds in crimson-red hues of daylight. Blessed with golden sands, the outline of this temple town is perfect for watching sunrise and sunset. Besides witnessing the sunrise, strolling along the shore of this quiet paradise at dawn is nothing short of a captivating experience.
Paid Homage at the Jagannath Temple
As the city slowly woke to everyday life, I made my way to the centuries-old Jagannath Temple to experience the morning rituals. Built nearly a millennium ago, the Jagannath Temple holds great spiritual value among devotees. Constructed on a strong base, the holy shrine is protected by four majestic gates.
The temple is also home to several scientifically unexplained phenomena. In keeping with the ancient belief of never turning away a visitor with an empty stomach, mahaprasad is served, prepared with centuries-old recipes. You can either have the mahaprasad as your breakfast, just like I did, or pick some up from cafes nearby.
Visited the Sudarshan Art Museum
A real treat for art and history buffs like me, the Sudarshan Art Museum was built to showcase the evolution of craftsmanship. This museum is run by Sudarshan Sahoo, who has won the Padma Shri award for sculpting.
It displays wood carvings, stonework, and paintings, most of which are available for purchase. Interestingly, what I found amusing here is a Buddhist temple built in Japanese style. Also, note that the museum stays open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Lunch at Wildgrass
After spending most of my morning and afternoon visiting the Jagannath Temple and the Sudarshan Art Museum, I visited Wildgrass for lunch. The lush, scenic surroundings give this whole place a pleasant atmosphere.
It’s also one of the best restaurants for Odia cuisine. You can try dishes like tandoori sea bream, daab chingri, chenna tarkari, and Chilika crabs.
Explored the Puri Bazaar
Despite being a small town, Puri has a remarkable market near the Jagannath Temple. The market here is popular for a wide variety of items like ethnic wear, handicrafts, souvenirs, handlooms, and sweets.
There are also shops selling silverware, which the region is known for. And if you love sweets, be sure to visit Swargadwar Market. Other notable shopping spots in Puri include Sahoo Super Bazar and Priyadarshini Handloom.
Dinner at Chung Wah
With the day-long trip coming to an end, my family and I decided to close things out with dinner at Chung Wah. It’s one of the older restaurants in Puri, known for Asian and Chinese cuisine. In addition, the restaurant also offers a wide variety of Odia dishes.
Even though it’s impossible to cover all the must-visit tourist spots in a one-day tour, you can definitely make the most of it with the right planning. I hope the points mentioned here were useful, helping you make the most of Puri in a day.
