Puri

About Puri
Puri is a district in Orissa, which includes a constituency with the same name. The capital of Orissa Bhubaneswar also falls in Puri district. Puri is also known as Jagannath Dham after Lord Jagannath. It is one of the four "Peetham" described and established by the Sankaracharya. The Puri town is 2 km wide and 4 km long. Puri is famous for the Jagannath Temple, a 65-m. high temple built by Chodaganga.

Puri stands by the Bay of Bengal. Sunrise and sunset are spectacularly viewed at the Puri Beach. Moreover the Balighai beach (8 km), Ananda Bazar-the biggest food market and Chilka-the largest lake in India is major attractions in and around Puri.

Chandan Yatra (Hindu New Year celebrations), Snana Yatra (Jagannath's ritual bath celebrations), Jhulan Yatra and Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival) and the Puri beach festival are famous and very popular festivals held in Puri.

The Odissi dance and the music of Devadasi institutions trace their origins back to Puri.

The total population of Puri is around 1,50,2700 and the nearest airport is Bhubaneswar, 62 km away.

The Landscape
Puri is basically a sea shore city and usually the district is divided into two zones namely, i) The littoral tract lies between the alluvial tract and the Bay of Bengal, and forms the dividing line between the Chilka lake and the ocean. ii) The level alluvial tract has many villages and rice fields. There are also 1504.4-km long sea coast bay in Puri. There is no island however or any natural or artificial port or harbor.

The Puri City is a religious looking place with ancient Hindu principles and a bit orthodox in nature. However, the entrance in some famous temples is restricted for non-Hindus.

The Location
Puri is an East-Indian city. The Puri District is situated between 19 degree North latitude and 84 degree east longitude. Puri is situated in close proximity to Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa (60 km).

The Climate
Puri has an excellent coastal type climate. In summer maximum temperature rises up to 38 degree Celsius and the minimum can go to 27 degree Celsius. In winter the maximum temperature is 28 degree Celsius while the minimum is 15 degree Celsius.

Related Storie(s)
Orissa – Land of Temples and Beaches- By Bhageerathy
Ghatgaon-Orissa- By Nikhil Kumar