Puri, aka Jagannath Puri, is a coastal district in the state of Odisha, India. It lies 60 km away in the south of Bhubaneshwar, touching its boundaries with the Bay of Bengal. The city is one of the four Char Dham of spiritual India and is known as the gate of Moksha. It boasts numerous temples, Mathas, and tourist attractions, making it a unique blend of spirituality and adventure. However, being in the coastal region, the city offers various water sports options to its visitors. Not only this, Puri has a mythological history that connects it with devotees around the globe.
The city was established by Aadi Shankaracharya, the founder of Char Dham. However, the history of Puri revolves around the Maha Prabhu Jagannath. The incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who resides here with his elder brother Balbhadra and younger sister Subhadhara. Hence, read this blog till the end to find out the interesting history of Puri. We have tried to cover the major attractions and the significance of Puri, along with the highlights for the upcoming biggest Rath Yatra of this year. So let’s dive into the divine words of Jagannath Prabhu about the place he has chosen to stay.
How was Jagannath Puri founded?
Puri, an ancient land with several names, has transformed over the years. It is one of the spiritual capitals of India, known as Nilachala, Purushottama Kshetra, Shreekhetra, and Puri. The city was called Puri in the 12th century after the recreation of the Jagannath Temple. However, there are many different mythologies and stories about the creation of this beautiful land. The major reason this city got popular is the Temple of Mahaprabhu Jagannath here.
According to the local stories or written mythologies, Adi Shankaracharya is associated with the foundation of the city. He has established it as one of the Char Dham in the country, unifying the Hindu philosophy.
Over the years, many kings served the kshetra as servants of Lord Jagannath, not as kings. The wooden idols of Mahaprabhu, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are the symbols of equality, brotherhood, and eternal love.
The Mughals invaded the temple 18 times during the 7th and 19th centuries in search of its treasure. But never succeeded in their invasions, the city always rose again and was protected by the faith of devotees. However, in the 13th and 14th centuries, the dieties were shifted to the Alarnath Temple. Here, the lord was worshiped as Alarnath to protect them from threats.
Why is Puri so famous?
- Festivals:- The city not only has temples and beaches to explore. But the town is well known for its various modern and traditional festivals. You can say every day is a festival here. As the city hosts thousands of people daily. However, some major festivals are the Puri Festival, Rath Yatra, Sand Festival, and many more.
- Sand art:- This city is the major sand art hub in the country. The International Sand Artist Festival on Chandrabhaga beach attracts several artists. People from across the globe come here to show their talents. This festival was started in 2015 to honor the artists who are creating this beautiful art. However, it is said that the legendary poet Blaram Das created the diets on sand for the first time in the 16th century. After getting frustrated with the world, he created images of diets on sand. Then Prabhu Jaganath himself appeared in front of him, showing the deep connection of art and devotion.
- Cultural dance:- The major dance forms of the city are related to the Jaganath Temple. These dances are the pure depiction of the mythological stories. The traditional classical dances were born in the temple itself, including Odissi and Mahari dance forms. Moreover, the folk dances like Sahi Jata and Gotipua are also performed during the festivals.
- Traditional Art:- In ancient Puri, the stories were preserved in different art forms like cloth art, murals, and palm leaf. One of the most famous art forms is Pattachitra, in which stories are handcrafted on cloth with natural dyes. However, the artisans of Raghurajpur are still creating these mesmerizing forms of art.
Attractions
- Golden Beach:- Also known as the Puri Beach, the most visited beach of Puri. The beach hosts the famous Puri Beach Festival every year. It is a beautiful and clean beach here, declared as a “no-plastic zone.”
- Sudarshan Crafts Museum:- This museum is a place for artists established by Sudarshan Sahoo. It provides space to artists so that they can craft and show their artworks. This museum displays the transformation in traditional sculptures over the years.
- Swargdwar Beach:- One of the most famous beaches in the city. It is on the Bay of Bengal near the Jagannath Temple. The beach is called Swargadwar, the gateway of heaven, because of various mythological stories.
- Chilika Lake:- The lake is the largest brackish water lagoon in the country. It is known as the home to various endangered and rare species of animals. A beautiful spot for adventure sports, where you can enjoy and spend some quality time.
- Atharanla Bridge:- It is a cherished stone bridge on the Bhargavi River at the entrance of Puri. The bridge dates back to the 13th century. However, played a significant role in the socio-economic development of the region.
Conclusion
Puri is the land of the divine. Bringing together the history, culture, art, traditions, and mythologies in a single place. The city is a must-visit during the Jagannath Rath Yatra, a celebration of the Lord Jagannath’s visit to his mother. This festival of 7 days bring extrem peace and tranquility in the environment. However, Puri is a submission of so many different vibes at a single time. Visit and share your precious experience with us at Ghummoindia.com, so we can explore the city with your vision.