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| Lord Jagannath |
One of the coastal districts of Odisha.
Puri is known the world over for its historic antiquities and religious
shrines. The district has a variety of temples representing the various
branches of Kalinga School of Architecture in its well developed form and a
long stretch of sunny beach. The district is endowed with the grandiose
landscape, ever green forests, natural sulphur springs, idyllic lake and many
more attractions for the tourists. The Golden Triangle of Puri, Konark and
Bhubaneswar is too popular among both the international and domestic tourists
who can combine their sightseeing with holidaying, swimming, cruising and
enjoying the social and cultural life of the land. A visit to the district is
an experience by itself.
ATTRACTIONS
PURI:
One of the four Dhamas of India, Puri, the
abode of Lord Jagannath, situated right on the shore of the Bay of Bengal, has
been a centre of pilgrimage since the days history could reckon. Visited by
Savants and Seers like Adi Sankaracharya, Ramanja, Chaitanya, Nanak,
Vivekananda and many others, Lord Jagannath has ben the melting pot of all
religious faiths. According to tradition, Puri was once a thickly wooded hill
inhabited by the Sabaras ( Pre-Aryan and Pre-Dravidian tribes of the Austric
linguistic family ). The bracing climate of the place has its own appeal for
the visitors of different tastes. The sunny beach is one of the finest in the
world. Watching the sunrise in a symphony of colours is a wonderous experience.
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| Mahodadhi (Puri Beach) |
The temple of Lord Jagannath dominates the
landscape for kilometres around. It has the largest kitchen of the world
feeding thousands of devotees everyday with its unique food called "
MAHAPRASAD ". Besides the temple of lord Jagannath, the visitors can see a
host of other temples such as Gundicha, Lokanath, Sundar Gauranga, Daria
Mahabir, Tota Gopinath, Patiarani and tanks like Narendra, Markandeya, Sweta
Ganga and Indradyumna. The numerous Mathas ( Monasteries ) are also the places
worth visiting.
KONARK:
The Sun Temple at Konark ( The Sun's corner
) with its fantastic quietness on the wind swept sand-dunes of the blue bay and
amidst the palm and casuarina plantations is a breath taking monument. The
Temple of Konark formerly known as 'Black Pagoda' is an architectural grandeur
of the mythical chariot of the Sun-God speeding across the heaven. Seven
impetuous horses attempt to pull the massive chariot with twelve pairs of
exquisitely carved wheels on the two sides. The Sun temple is a living
testimony of the speculative and aritstic sensibility of a race that once knew
how to live, love, worship and create. The temple can also be seen during night
( evening hours ) illuminated by the flood lights provided for the purpose.
Close by (3Km.) is one of the finest beaches of the world with long stretch of
clean sands, cool breeze and rolling waves. The Museum here preserves some rare
specimens of Konark art. Konark has also an Open Air Auditorium where the
annual Dance Festival organised by the Department of Tourism, Sports and
Culture, Government of Orissa is held in collaboration with Odissi Research
Centre, ceremoniously.
CHILIKA:
Neelambu Chilika!
Dotted with a long chain of gift lavished
green islands. Chilika ia a veritable wonder of Nature. Hemmed between the blue
capped ;mountains and creamy blue waters of the Bay of Bengal, this pear shaped
brackish water lake provides nesting, wintering and breeding ground to many
local and migratory birds. With the first cold nip in the air, the winter
migrants begin their spectacular descent on the lake. They sweep across the
high mountains from as far as Siberia, Novosibirisk, Tomsk and Alma-Atta.
Magnificent Siberian oranges, pelicans, golden plovers, sea eagles, cormorants,
red shanks, green shanks, flamingos and ospreys descend in flocks for their
delicacies and merry making. Their colourful and cooing presence make the
lovely lake with islands like Kalijai, Nalabana, Honeymoon, Breakfast and Birds
island truely resplendent. The lake abounds with fishes of as many as 160
varieties. Crusing and bird watching are the most enjoyable pastimes in the
lake. Rambha, Barkul and Satapada right on the shore with Tourist Bungalows are
convenient points to visit the lake.
BALIGHAI:
8 Km. From Puri, the casuarinas fringed
Balighai beach is a famous picnic spot. The sight of small deer called
Baliharina and different colourful birds is a thrill to the searching eyes. The
sun and fun at the mouth of the river Nuanai is unforgettable.
BRAHMAGIRI:
25 Km. From Puri, Brahmagiri contains the
living shrine of Alaranath. Streams of pilgrims visit Alaranath during
“Anabasara” of Lord Jagannath. Near-by is the shrine of Baliharachandi on the
solitary sand-dunes.
SATYABADI ( SAKHIGOPAL ):
Famous for the sacred shrine of Lord
Sakhigopal, Satyabadi is thronged with pilgrims round the year. They generally
visit the shrine on their way to or from Puri as it is believed that visit to
Puri is incomplete without a visit to Sakhigopal. ‘Anla Navami’ is the only day
on which the sacred feet of Shriradha, the
consort of Lord Krishna, are exposed to public view. Satyabadi is 40 Km.
From Bhubaneswar on way to Puri.
KURUMA:
8 Km. From the world famous Sun Temple at
Konark, Kuruma is a small village. Recent excavations here have brought to
light the reminiscence of some ancient Buddhist antiquities like the image of
Buddha along with the image of Heruka and a 17 metre long brick wall ( brick
size 22 cm. X 17 cm. ). Scholars are of opinion that this was one of the sites
containing Buddhist stupas described by Hiuen Tsang, the Chinese traveller.
RAMACHANDI:
On the confluence of river Kushabhadra and
the Bay of Bengal, Ramachandi is a beautiful scenic spot. Goddess Ramachandi,
the presiding deity of the Konark region is worshipped here with reverence. The
place is 7 Km. From Konark on the marine drive.
CHAURASI:
On way from Kakatpur to Konark one can
visit the shrines of Amareswar, Laxminarayan and Barahi at Chaurasi. Barahi is
the mother Goddess with the face of a boar. She is pot-bellied and holds a fish
in one hand and a cup in the other. The deity belongs to 9th century
A.D. and is worshipped according to
tantric practices.
KAKATPUR:
Situated on the Prachi Valley, Kakatpur is
famous for housing the shrine of Goddess Mangala and Banadurga. Ritualistically,
Goddess Mangala is related to Lord Jagannath during His Navakalebar (
Renovation Ceremony ). The direction for locating the holy-log which forms the
icon of the Lord is believed to come from Her. “Jhamu Yatra “, celebrated in
the month of Chaitra (April-May) is the major festival here. The special
attraction of the festival is ‘walking of the devotees over a narrow trench
containing lightened embers ‘. In the Natamandira of Goddess Mangala there is a
big bell on which “Grace 15th M. 1527” is inscribed in English. It
is not known how this bell came here. Kakatpur is 61 Km. From Bhubaneswar and
81 Km. From Puri.
ASTARANGA:
Right on the seashore, it is 91 Km. From
Puri and 10 Km. From Kakatpur. Astranga presents a panoramic view especially
during sunset on a multicoloured horizon as to justify the literal meaning of
its name. It is a centre of salt production and fishing.
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