Jagannath
Temple
Even before one enters Puri, this 65-metre high temple
makes its presence felt. The 12th century temple built by
Chodaganga, to commemorate the shifting of his capital from South to
Central Orissa, stands in a compound on the Nilgiri Hill, and is
surrounded by a 20 foot high wall, within which lie several smaller
shrines. A traditional porch, shrine, hall of offerings and a pillared
hall of dance, form the rest of this temple. The remarkable thing about
this temple, since its early beginnings, is that there has been no
discrimination, ever, between castes. To one end of the road, that leads
to the temple is Gundicha Mandir, Lord Jagannath's summer temple, within a
walled garden at the far end of Grand Road, where the deity is enshrined
for a week, on a simple throne. Like the Lingaraja in Bhubaneswar, Puri's
Jagannath is not open for non - Hindus, who must contend themselves, from
viewing it from a vantage point, outside its precincts.
Ananda
Bazar - The largest food market in the world.
Gundicha
Mandir - The Garden House, the smaller sanctum, that houses the
deities during the Rath Yatra. The walls enclose a garden, in which the
temple is built. It is also known as the Aunt's house.
Puri
Beach - Sunrise and sunset on the seas of Puri are awesome spectacles,
and visitors can ride the waves in catamarans. The beaches are ideal for
sunbathing.
Balighai Beach - 8 kms from Puri, is Balighai
Beach, at the mouth of the river Nuanai, a popular picnic spot, fringed by
lovely causarina trees.
Satyabadi (Sakshigopal) - The
shrine of Lord Sakshigopal is only 20 kms away from Puri. the sacred feet
of Shri Radha can however be only seen on 'Anala nawami' day.
Bada
Danda - An ideal site for some extensive shopping.
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