Puri, India: travel guide
Jagannath's sacred city on the Bay of Bengal coast
Sacred pilgrimage city on the Bay of Bengal — Jagannath Temple, one of the four Hindu dhams, and the world-famous Rath Yatra chariot festival.
About Puri
Puri combines two things that rarely share a town: one of Hinduism's four holy dhams and a long beach on the Bay of Bengal. The Jagannath Temple dominates the old town, and the famous Rath Yatra procession of giant chariots passes along its main street each year.
Things to do in Puri include watching the town wake at the temple's outer walls, walking on Puri Beach at dawn, and visiting Gundicha Temple. Day trips lead to the craft village of Raghurajpur, known for pattachitra painting, and to Chilika Lake from Satapada, where dolphins and migratory birds can be seen in season.
Puri suits pilgrims, families and slow beach travellers. The best time to visit Puri is from October to March, with Rath Yatra drawing very large crowds in the monsoon months.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
- Nearest airport
- BBI
Last updated
Top places to visit in Puri
Jagannath Temple
temple · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · free entry
One of Hinduism's Char Dham, the towering 12th-century temple of Lord Jagannath, famed for its colossal annual Rath Yatra; entry is restricted to Hindus.
Puri Beach
beach · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A long golden-sand beach on the Bay of Bengal famed for sunrises, fishing boats, the annual sand-art festival and a lively shoreline near Swargadwar.
Chilika Lake (Satapada)
lagoon · 4.5 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
Asia's largest brackish-water lagoon, reached via Satapada, famed for Irrawaddy dolphins, vast flocks of migratory birds and boat trips to sea-mouth islands.
Gundicha Temple
temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate
The "Garden House" temple of Jagannath, destination of the famous Rath Yatra when the deities journey here for nine days each year.
Swargadwar
ghat-promenade · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The sacred "Gateway to Heaven" beachfront and cremation ghat near the market, a lively promenade of stalls, eateries and evening crowds by the sea.
Raghurajpur Artist Village
crafts-village · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A heritage crafts village near Puri where every home produces pattachitra scroll paintings, palm-leaf engravings and Gotipua dance — a living art gallery.
ISKCON Puri
temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate
A serene ISKCON temple near the seafront with marble shrines to Krishna-Balaram and Jagannath, kirtans and a popular vegetarian prasadam hall.
Lokanath Temple
temple · 4.4 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
An ancient Shiva temple where the lingam is said to be submerged under water year-round and revealed only on Pankoddhar Ekadasi, drawing devout crowds.
Narendra Tank
temple-tank · 4.3 rating · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate
The largest and holiest temple tank in Puri, the site of the annual Chandan Yatra boat festival, with a central island shrine ringed by ghats.
Beleswar Beach
beach · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A quiet, casuarina-fringed beach east of Puri with an old Shiva temple, a peaceful alternative to the busy main beach for a relaxed sunrise.
Markandeshwar Temple
temple · 4.3 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
An ancient Shiva temple beside the sacred Markandeya Tank near the Jagannath temple, an important stop on the local pilgrimage circuit.
Odisha State Crafts (Sudarshan) Museum
crafts · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A workshop-museum showcasing Odisha's famed sand and stone sculpture and pattachitra art, where visitors can watch master craftsmen at work.
Things to do
- Jagannath Temple Darshan Cultural · 2 h
- Konark Sun Temple Day Trip Heritage · 4 h · from INR 1,200 per person
- Chilika Lake Dolphin Boat Trip Nature · 6 h · from INR 1,800 per person
- Puri Beach Sunrise & Surf Activity · 2 h · from INR 1,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Puri–Konark Golden Triangle 8 h · from INR 1,500
- Chilika Lake Dolphin Excursion 8 h · from INR 2,200
- Pipili & Raghurajpur Craft Trail 5 h · from INR 1,200
Where to stay in Puri
- Temple Area about INR 1,500 per night
Pilgrimage town near Jagannath Temple with accommodation
Hotels
- Mayfair Heritage Puri 5-star · INR 9,000 to INR 16,000 per night
- Hans Coco Palms 4-star · INR 5,000 to INR 9,000 per night
- Z Hotel Puri 3-star · INR 1,800 to INR 4,000 per night
- Toshali Sands 4-star · INR 4,000 to INR 7,500 per night
- Puri Beach Hostel 2-star · INR 500 to INR 1,800 per night
- OTDC Panthanivas Puri 3-star · INR 2,200 to INR 4,500 per night
Where to eat
- Wildgrass Restaurant Odia, Seafood, Continental · about INR 600 per person
- Chung Wah Chinese, Seafood, Asian · about INR 500 per person
- Honey Bee Bakery & Cafe Cafe, Bakery, Continental · about INR 450 per person
- Beach Seafood Shacks Seafood, Odia, Street Food · about INR 350 per person
- Peace Restaurant Continental, Israeli, North Indian · about INR 350 per person
- Odisha Hotel Odia, Seafood, North Indian · about INR 300 per person
- Grand Road Sweets Desserts, Odia, Street Food · about INR 120 per person
- ISKCON Govinda's Puri North Indian, Continental, Vegetarian · about INR 350 per person
Getting to Puri
Nearest airport: Bhubaneswar (BBI), about 48 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Auto Rickshaw
- Cycle Rickshaw
- Walking
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Frequently asked questions about Puri
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Puri?
- The highest-rated places in our Puri guide are Jagannath Temple, Chilika Lake (Satapada), Gundicha Temple, Raghurajpur Artist Village, ISKCON Puri.
- Where should I stay in Puri?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Puri: Temple Area.
- How do I get around Puri?
- Ways to get around Puri covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Cycle rickshaw, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Puri?
- The nearest airport to Puri has the code BBI.