Puri – One of the Sapta Puris and a Sacred Dham
The existence and identity of Puri are deeply connected with Lord Jagannath. It is one of the four sacred Dhams of Hinduism and is also counted among the Sapta Puris (seven holy cities).
According to popular belief, if a devotee stays in Puri for three days and three nights, they attain freedom from the cycle of birth and death.
Puri is the sacred city of Lord Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra, who are believed to reside here. Being one of the Char Dhams of Hinduism, Puri offers a unique experience where devotees can enjoy both the beauty of the sea waves and the spiritual atmosphere of its ancient temples.
Mythological Story of Puri
According to Hindu mythology, King Indradyumna of Malwa was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu.
One night, through a divine dream, King Indradyumna came to know that Lord Vishnu existed in his divine form in Utkala (present-day Odisha).
The king immediately sent Vidyapati to find the divine form of Lord Vishnu. When Vidyapati reached Odisha, he discovered that Lord Vishnu was secretly worshipped as Neel Madhav inside a hidden cave located in a dense forest.
To find the secret location, Brahmin Vidyapati married Lalita, the daughter of Vishwavasu, who worshipped Neel Madhav. After Lalita’s repeated requests, Vishwavasu agreed to take Vidyapati to the secret worship place on one condition — Vidyapati would have to keep his eyes covered throughout the journey.
Vidyapati accepted the condition. While being taken to the cave, he cleverly dropped mustard seeds along the path so that he could later find the way back.
Within a few days, the mustard seeds grew into plants, helping Vidyapati locate the cave easily.
After learning about Neel Madhav, King Indradyumna immediately went there for darshan. However, when he reached the cave, the idol of Neel Madhav had disappeared.
The king became deeply disappointed. At that moment, a divine voice instructed him to go to the seashore of Puri and search for a floating wooden log in the ocean.
King Indradyumna found the divine wooden log and ordered a carpenter to create idols from it.
According to the legend, the mysterious carpenter disappeared after creating incomplete idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra.
Thus, the wooden forms of Lord Jagannath and the divine siblings came into existence and have been worshipped in Puri ever since.
Places to Visit in Puri
The major attractions of Puri include:
- Jagannath Temple
- Loknath Temple
- Gundicha Temple
- Puri Beach
Jagannath Temple
The Jagannath Temple is one of the most magnificent temples in Puri and is famous worldwide as Jagannath Puri.
According to historical records, the temple was built in the 12th century by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva after shifting his capital from southern Odisha to central Odisha.
The temple is located on the Nilgiri Hill area and is surrounded by a massive 20-meter-high wall.
The temple complex contains several smaller temples along with traditional prayer halls and a multi-pillared dance hall.
One of the unique features of Jagannath Temple is its spirit of equality. The temple has always welcomed devotees from different communities, allowing everyone to seek blessings of Lord Jagannath with devotion and harmony.
Loknath Temple
The Loknath Temple is a famous Shiva temple located about 1 km away from Jagannath Temple.
According to local beliefs, during the Treta Yuga, Lord Shri Ram installed the Shiva Lingam at this place with his own hands.
The temple holds great religious importance among devotees of Lord Shiva.
Gundicha Temple
The Gundicha Temple is another famous and beautiful temple in Puri.
Devotees also know it as Gundicha Ghar. It is located around 3 km away from Jagannath Temple.
The temple was constructed during the Kalinga period and reflects the beauty of Kalinga architecture.
The artistic design and structure of the temple attract many visitors.
How to Reach Puri
Puri can be reached easily by air, rail, and road.
By Air
The nearest airport to Jagannath Puri is Bhubaneswar Airport.
It is well connected with several cities across India, and both government and private airlines operate regular flights.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is Puri Railway Station, located within the city itself.
Traveling by train allows visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of Odisha while reaching the sacred destination comfortably.
The Purushottam Express runs daily between New Delhi and Puri.
By Road
Puri is connected with Bhubaneswar through national highways.
The city is well connected by road with different parts of Odisha, and regular bus services are available for travelers.
Puri is not only a sacred pilgrimage destination but also a place where spirituality, ancient traditions, and the divine presence of Lord Jagannath come together.
