Puri the spiritual capital of the State is popularly known as Shreekhetra. 'Shree' means 'Mahalaxmi', the consort of Lord Jagannatha and 'Khetra' means land / kingdom. So Puri is the kingdom of Mahalaxmi who happens to be the goddess of wealth, beauty and prosperity. Any one who comes to this land never remains unfed or starved. Puri is well-known throughout India as a place of pigrimage from the time immemorial and the antiquity .....More

'Jagat' means the Universe and 'nath' means the Lord. Jointly Jagannath means the Lord of the Universe. Jagat is mobility, flux, dynamic and all these are the interplay of prakruti or shakti. Jagannath therefore is Prakruti-Yukta-Purusa. A nation is known by its inherent splendours, Orissa's crowning glory is Lord Jagannath. Millions and millions of people in India do not know Orissa by its name. They know it as the land of Jagannath.....More

The Sun temple of Konark, commonly known as the 'BLACK PAGODA' to the modern world, built in the middle of 13^th century is a massive conception of artistic magnificence and engineering dexterity. Designed in the form of a gorgeously decorated chariot mounted on twenty-four wheels and drawn by seven mighty horses,this monument attracts domestic and international .....More

The Orissan temple architecture which made an humble beginning before the sixth century A.D. had reached its pinnacle of perfection by the time the temple of Jagannath was built. Built in the 12^th century A.D. by Chodagangadeva, the present temple is of monumental magnitude. The temple makes Puri one of the Dhama, cardinal centres of pilgrimage. After travelling the three Dhamas i.e, Dwarika in the west,Badrinath in the .....More

The Car Festival (Ratha Yatra) of Lord Jagannath at Puri is the greatest festival of the year which is celebrated on the second day of the bright fortnight in the month of Asadha(June-July). It commemorates the journey of Lord Krishna from Gokul to Mathura. Car festival of Puri, has gained international fames today and the name of Lord Jagannath has reached far beyond the frontiers of this vast country. More than a religious festival, the ratha .....More

Puri, situated on the eastern sea-bed of India, is the only most popular sea-side resort where the beauty of the sky in radiant colours, the roaring waves and the golden beach can be experienced. The beach is very wide and exposed and there's not a scrap of shade to be found. Orissan fishermen, wearing conical straw hats, guide bathers out through the surf. The long sandy beach draws large numbers of western travellers and Indians, especially during .....More

Lake Chilika, the queen of natural scenery in orissa, also known as the Swiss-Lake in the continent. South-west of puri, the lake is dotted with a number of islands. With the advent of winter, varieties of migratory birds and water-fowls gather here in large numbers. The shallow lake is about 70km long and averages 15km wide, and is supposedly one of the largest brackish-water lakes in the country. Due to its high productive ecosystem, rich biodiversity .....More

The deities showing their close affinity with the human world does changes their costumes with change in time. The dresses, make up or the costume locally called as veshas starts changing with the first daily ritual of Mangala Aarati. The deities on the Ratnavedi are adorned with various gold ornament studded with precious gemes. Tulasi leaves, sandalwood paste, camphor & occasionally musk are used in the daily puja of the lords.....More

Puri has a very wide & distinctive selection of handicrafts. Best known is probably the gorgeous applique work of Pipili. Pipili is on the way from puri to bhubaneswar. It is fourty kilometres from puri, at the junction where the konark road branches from the bhubaneswar to puri road. Each and every family of the village engaged themselves in this applique craft. Brightly coloured patches of fabric, cut into animal and flower shapes, are sewn onto bed covers, cushions.....More